Houston Astros tickets

The team hired broadcaster Larry Dierker (their former pitching ace of the early 1970s) to replace Collins. Dierker's handling of the pitching staff and determined approach seemed to inspire the team immediately. Houston Astros won 3 straight Central Division titles from 1997-99, behind the "Killer B's" Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, and Derek Bell. In 1998 they set a franchise record with 102 wins. Defeated by Atlanta twice, in none of those three playoff seasons could they get past the first round. The situation was more puzzling due to the strange slumps Biggio and Bagwell experienced each post-season.

In 2000 the franchise debuted their new stadium, but the results were terrible. As their pitching staff was shelled in their home park, the Houston Astros Baseball Team tumbled from playoffs.Posting the best record in the National League, the 2001 team rebounded and won the team's fourth division title in five years. A late season collapse allowed the Cardinals to creep up, and the two teams finished in a tie for the Central lead. The Astros won the crown due to a better head-to-head record with the Redbirds. In the playoffs it was more of the same as Atlanta again swept Houston, leaving behind disillusioned fans and frustrated players. The frustration reached the managers office as well. Dierker resigned after complaining that modern players were "too hard to motivate." The Astros skipper became the most successful retiree in Houston history after winning four division titles and 55% of his games in five years. In 2001, Bagwell and Biggio continued to add to their Hall of Fame resumes. For the third time in five seasons the Astros were swept by the Braves in the NLDS and once again they disappeared in the playoffs, failing to score any runs or drive in any base runners. The team ended second in the National League Central in 2002 and 2003. The Astros dug deep into their pocket securing free agent pitchers Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens, during the 2003 off-season.