Osceola Astros
Encyclopedia
The Osceola Astros were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1985 to 1994. They played in the Florida State League
and were affiliated with the Houston Astros
. They were based in Kissimmee, Florida
, making them the first professional baseball team from Kissimmee. They played their home games at Osceola County Stadium
.
Prior to 1985, they had been known as the Daytona Beach Astros
.
, they went 77-58, winning the Central Division of the Florida State League. They lost in the playoffs two games to one to the Fort Lauderdale Yankees
. During the season, they outscored opponents 625-536. Standout performers on the 1985 team include Rob Mallicoat
, who went 16-6 with a 1.36 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 179 innings of work. He gave up only 119 hits. Closer Mark Baker led the league with 24 saves.
, they went only 59-78, 26 games out of first place. They were outscored 623-567. Some standout performers include John Fishel
, who hit .269 with 82 runs, 83 RBI and 36 doubles - which led the team. Dody Rather went 12-9 with a 3.21 ERA, and Blaine Ilsley went 8-4 with a 1.77 ERA.
, the Astros went 80-59 in 1987, winning the Central Division. Again, they lost to Fort Lauderdale in the playoffs, this time three games to one. They drew 38,068 fans, which was ninth most in the 14 team league, and they outscored opponents 662-488. Standout performers include Jose Cano
, who went 15-3 with a 1.94 ERA. Jose Vargas went 11-8 with a 2.33 ERA, and Don Dunster went 7-4 with a 2.50 ERA. Brian Meyer
saved 25 games and had a 1.99 ERA. Their hottest hitter was Calvin James, who had a .319 batting average.
. They lost in the league championship game to the St. Lucie Mets
. They drew 44,023 fans - 10th most in the 14 team league - and outscored opponents 622-495. A speedy team, they set a Florida State League record with 360 stolen bases as a team. Speedsters on the team include Lou Frazier
, who stole 87 bases (and led the league in that category), Karl Rhodes, who stole 65 bases, Bert Hunter, who stole 54 bases and Trenidad Hubbard
, who stole 44 bases. Pitcher Pedro DeLeon went 14-5 with a 2.44 ERA, providing a solid pitching performance.
in 1989. They drew 53,586 fans - eighth most in the 14 team league - and they outscored opponents 587-557. Standout performers include Wally Trice, who went 16-4 with a 2.57 ERA and Andy Mota
, who hit .319 with 28 stolen bases.
. They went 72-66 in 1990, drawing 46,421 fans - finishing 10th in the league in that category. They outscored opponents 603-576. Standout performers include Kenny Lofton
, who hit .331 with 62 stolen bases and a league leading 159 hits, Jeff Juden
, who went 10-1 with a 2.27 ERA and Gabriel Rodriguez, who went 12-5 with ten saves and a 1.68 ERA.
went 3-0, with 2 saves and a 1.61 ERA and Donne Wall
went 6-3 with a 2.09 ERA.
in the semifinals. They outscored opponents 602-591, and they drew 49,857 fans. Standout performers include James Mouton
, who led the league with 51 stolen bases, and Chris Hill, who went 16-7 with a 2.93 ERA.
, who would serve as their manager until their final season in 1994. They went only 56-74, being outscored 621-503. Standout performers were Bobby Abreu
, who led the league in triples, and Dennis Colon, who hit .316.
did hit .282 with 24 stolen bases.
They were renamed the Kissimmee Cobras following the season.
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
and were affiliated with the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. They were based in Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee, Florida
Kissimmee is a city in Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,682. It is the county seat of Osceola County...
, making them the first professional baseball team from Kissimmee. They played their home games at Osceola County Stadium
Osceola County Stadium
Osceola County Stadium is a baseball park located in Kissimmee, Florida. It is the home stadium of the Gulf Coast League Astros rookie league minor league baseball team of the Gulf Coast League. It is also the spring training home of the Houston Astros and their minor league affiliates. The stadium...
.
Prior to 1985, they had been known as the Daytona Beach Astros
Daytona Beach Astros
The Daytona Beach Astros were a minor league baseball team that existed from 1978 to 1984. They played in the Florida State League and were affiliated with the Houston Astros. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, they were known as the Daytona Beach Islanders prior to being the Daytona Beach Astros...
.
1985
In 1985, the Astros drew 38,082 fans - seventh most in the 11 team league. Under manager Dave CripeDave Cripe
David Gordon Cripe is a former Major League Baseball player. Cripe played for the Kansas City Royals in the 1978 season. He batted and threw right-handed. Cripe was the Manager of the Asheville Tourists in 1982...
, they went 77-58, winning the Central Division of the Florida State League. They lost in the playoffs two games to one to the Fort Lauderdale Yankees
Fort Lauderdale Yankees
The Fort Lauderdale Yankees, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was an American minor league baseball franchise that existed from 1962 through 1992. The team was a Class A Florida State League affiliate of the New York Yankees and won seven FSL championships during its 31 years of existence.The...
. During the season, they outscored opponents 625-536. Standout performers on the 1985 team include Rob Mallicoat
Rob Mallicoat
Robbin Dale Mallicoat is a former Major League Baseball left-handed reliever who played professional baseball from 1985 through 1995...
, who went 16-6 with a 1.36 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 179 innings of work. He gave up only 119 hits. Closer Mark Baker led the league with 24 saves.
1986
The Astros finished 10th in the 12 team league in attendance, drawing 36,135 fans. Under manager Tom WiedenbauerTom Wiedenbauer
Thomas John "Tom" Wiedenbauer is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and current MLB first-base coach for the Cleveland Indians.- Houston Astros :...
, they went only 59-78, 26 games out of first place. They were outscored 623-567. Some standout performers include John Fishel
John Fishel
John Alan Fishel is a former right-handed Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Houston Astros in 1988....
, who hit .269 with 82 runs, 83 RBI and 36 doubles - which led the team. Dody Rather went 12-9 with a 3.21 ERA, and Blaine Ilsley went 8-4 with a 1.77 ERA.
1987
Under new manager Ken BolekKen Bolek
Ken Bolek is a former minor league baseball coach, major league coach and minor league manager. He is currently an instructor for The Baseball Academy, a high level training school for elite baseball players from all levels of amateur and professional competition, run by IMG Academies.Bolek...
, the Astros went 80-59 in 1987, winning the Central Division. Again, they lost to Fort Lauderdale in the playoffs, this time three games to one. They drew 38,068 fans, which was ninth most in the 14 team league, and they outscored opponents 662-488. Standout performers include Jose Cano
José Canó
Joselito "José" Canó Soriano is a former pitcher who briefly pitched in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros in .-Career:...
, who went 15-3 with a 1.94 ERA. Jose Vargas went 11-8 with a 2.33 ERA, and Don Dunster went 7-4 with a 2.50 ERA. Brian Meyer
Brian Meyer
Brian Scott Meyer is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Meyer played for the Houston Astros from to .-External links:...
saved 25 games and had a 1.99 ERA. Their hottest hitter was Calvin James, who had a .319 batting average.
1988
In 1988, the Astros went 44-26 in the first half and 39-28 in the second half. Not surprisingly, they had a new manager - Keith BodieKeith Bodie
Keith Bodie is a former minor league baseball player and manager, and current minor league coach.-Playing career:...
. They lost in the league championship game to the St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
. They drew 44,023 fans - 10th most in the 14 team league - and outscored opponents 622-495. A speedy team, they set a Florida State League record with 360 stolen bases as a team. Speedsters on the team include Lou Frazier
Lou Frazier
Arthur Louis Frazier is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors, between 1993 and 1998, for the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, and Chicago White Sox. He was primarily a left fielder.From 2007-2008 Frazier was the first base coach for the...
, who stole 87 bases (and led the league in that category), Karl Rhodes, who stole 65 bases, Bert Hunter, who stole 54 bases and Trenidad Hubbard
Trenidad Hubbard
Trenidad Aviel Hubbard is a former Major League Baseball journeyman outfielder. He is an alumnus of Southern University and A&M College....
, who stole 44 bases. Pitcher Pedro DeLeon went 14-5 with a 2.44 ERA, providing a solid pitching performance.
1989
They went 72-65 under new manager Rick SweetRick Sweet
Ricky Joe Sweet is a former professional baseball catcher. He played three seasons in Major League Baseball between 1978 and 1983, and has since had a long career as minor and major league coach and minor league manager...
in 1989. They drew 53,586 fans - eighth most in the 14 team league - and they outscored opponents 587-557. Standout performers include Wally Trice, who went 16-4 with a 2.57 ERA and Andy Mota
Andy Mota
Andrés Alberto Mota Matos is a former Major League Baseball player. He was initially drafted in the sixth round of the 1985 amateur draft by the Kansas City Royals, but did not sign. In 1987 he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the twelfth round...
, who hit .319 with 28 stolen bases.
1990
From 1990 to 1992, they were managed by Sal ButeraSal Butera
Salvatore Philip Butera was a Major League Baseball catcher and is currently a Special Assistant to Toronto Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos....
. They went 72-66 in 1990, drawing 46,421 fans - finishing 10th in the league in that category. They outscored opponents 603-576. Standout performers include Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
, who hit .331 with 62 stolen bases and a league leading 159 hits, Jeff Juden
Jeff Juden
Jeffrey Daniel Juden is a former Major League Baseball player. He is 6'8" and weighs 270 lbs...
, who went 10-1 with a 2.27 ERA and Gabriel Rodriguez, who went 12-5 with ten saves and a 1.68 ERA.
1991
In 1991, they went 64-63, drawing 48,341 fans and outscoring the opposition, 484-455. Top performers include John Massarelli, who hit .309, while Carl Grovom had a 1.51 ERA, Brian Griffiths went 4-3, 1.92, Ed Ponte went 7-6 with 10 saves, a 1.78 ERA while allowing only 43 hits in 76 innings pitched, Mark SmallMark Small
Mark Allen Small is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Small played for the Houston Astros in . In 16 career games, he had a 0-1 record with a 5.92 ERA. He batted and threw right-handed....
went 3-0, with 2 saves and a 1.61 ERA and Donne Wall
Donne Wall
Donnell Lee Wall , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues primarily in relief from 1995-2002....
went 6-3 with a 2.09 ERA.
1992
They went 72-62 in 1992. They made the playoffs, but lost to the Baseball City RoyalsBaseball City Royals
The Baseball City Royals was a farm team for the Kansas City Royals from 1988-1992.The Baseball City Royals joined the Florida State League in 1988...
in the semifinals. They outscored opponents 602-591, and they drew 49,857 fans. Standout performers include James Mouton
James Mouton
James Raleigh Mouton is a former professional baseball player. An outfielder, he played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1994 until 2001, for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos and Milwaukee Brewers.- Early career :Mouton was originally drafted by the...
, who led the league with 51 stolen bases, and Chris Hill, who went 16-7 with a 2.93 ERA.
1993
Sal Butera was replaced by Tim TolmanTim Tolman
Timothy Lee Tolman is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.Tolman played his college baseball at the University of Southern California and was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 1978 amateur draft...
, who would serve as their manager until their final season in 1994. They went only 56-74, being outscored 621-503. Standout performers were Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu
Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu , nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Luche", is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
, who led the league in triples, and Dennis Colon, who hit .316.
1994
1994 was the teams final season as the Osceola Astros. They went only 46-89, finishing last in the division and 35.5 games out of first place. They were outscored 691-506. They lacked any real standout performers, although Melvin MoraMelvin Mora
Melvin Mora , affectionately nicknamed Melmo or Melvy, is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder who is a free agent...
did hit .282 with 24 stolen bases.
They were renamed the Kissimmee Cobras following the season.