Early Years and Name Changes
The Houston Astros franchise began in 1965 as the Houston Colt .45s, named after the famous revolver. In 1967, the team changed its name to the Astros to reflect Houston's connection to the space program and NASA's mission control center located in the city. The name change coincided with the team moving to the Astrodome, one of the first domed stadiums in America.
Early Success and League Changes
The Astros played in the National League from their founding through 2012. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the team became known for strong pitching and made several playoff appearances, though they did not win a World Series during this period. The team reached the World Series for the first time in 2005 but lost to the Chicago White Sox.
Move to American League and 2017 Championship
In 2013, the Astros moved to the American League as part of baseball realignment. After several losing seasons, the team began building a strong roster through the draft and trades. In 2017, the Astros won their first World Series championship by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games, with Jose Altuve winning the American League MVP award.
Recent History and Sign-Stealing Scandal
Following the 2017 World Series victory, investigations revealed that the Astros had used electronic devices to steal pitch signals from opposing teams during the 2017 season. The team was fined, and several players and coaches received suspensions. Despite this controversy, the Astros have remained competitive, making playoff appearances in subsequent years.
Home Stadiums
The Astros played at the Houston Colt .45s Stadium (later renamed Colt Stadium) from 1965 to 1966. They then moved to the Astrodome from 1967 to 1999, which was a revolutionary domed stadium. Since 2000, the team has played at Minute Maid Park, a modern baseball stadium in downtown Houston. 
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