Here's your major announcement: Astros to retire Dierker's No. 49 jersey By JOSEPH DUARTE Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Larry Dierker, ousted as Astros manager six months ago, will have his No. 49 jersey retired during a May 19 ceremony at Astros Field, the club announced Friday. Dierker became one of the most recognizable and popular fixtures during his 39-year relationship with the Colt .45s and Astros as a pitcher, front-office member, broadcaster and manager. "He's an institution in Houston and Texas for a multitude of reasons," owner Drayton McLane Jr. said. Dierker, who debuted with the Colt .45s on his 18th birthday in 1964, has been a fixture in the organization ever since, with the exception of a season in St. Louis at the end of his playing career. Dierker served as the team's principal color analyst for radio and television broadcasts from 1979 until his surprise appointment as manager before the 1997 season. The Astros won four division titles in five seasons with Dierker as manager and posted a club-record 102 victories in 1998. But first-round playoff exits each time led to his forced resignation Oct. 18. "It's been an unbelievable ride all the way through," Dierker said. "I'm very fortunate to have been with a team, a city I love for all this time." A native of Hollywood, Calif., Dierker, 55, ranks second on the team's all-time list with 137 victories, trailing only Joe Niekro (144). Dierker owns club records for innings pitched (2,295), games started (320), complete games (106) and shutouts (25). The Astros have previously retired five jerseys worn by former players: Jim Umbricht (No. 32), Don Wilson (No. 40), Jose Cruz (No. 25), Mike Scott (No. 33) and Nolan Ryan (No. 34). The on-field ceremony retiring Dierker's number will be held prior to the Astros-Pittsburgh Pirates game.
