Astros on verge of first-ever NL Pennant
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-18 09:00

Former Houston pitcher and broadcaster Larry Dierker took over as manager in '97 and oversaw four division titles in five years. But his teams went 2-12 in the playoffs, squandering the best years of franchise icons Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell.

"The '98 team was probably the most disappointing," Biggio said.

That year, Randy Johnson was acquired at the trade deadline and Houston won a franchise-best 102 games. San Diego ousted the Astros in four games, with Kevin Brown beating them 2-1 twice.

The Braves took them out in '97, '99 and '01.

? 2004, NLCS vs. St. Louis.

Despite signing Clemens and Pettitte and trading for Carlos Beltran, the Astros struggled into the All-Star break, costing manager Jimy Williams his job. Garner took over and guided Houston to a 36-10 finish, including 18 straight home wins, to claim the wild card on the last day of the season.

Led by Beltran, the Astros beat the Braves for their first-ever playoff series win, then got to Game 7 of the NLCS. They were 10 outs from the World Series with Clemens pitching, only to be disappointed again.

Asked during that NLCS what it would mean for Houston to finally make the World Series, the team's First Fan — former President George Bush, often seen in the front row behind home plate — said something that still rings true a year later: "It would be great for the city, great for the club and it would be great for all of baseball."