Houston Astros: Top 30 players in franchise history

9. Jimmy Wynn, OF, 1963 – 1973

Jimmy Wynn joined the Houston Astros organization in 1963, coming over from the Reds. He was a part-time player his first two years of his eleven-year stint with the team. However, as soon as he became a full-time player, he became a star and is easily the most famous Astro from the early days.

For his nine years as a primary player, he patrolled both center field and right field. Wynn’s insane power wasn’t able to be tamed by the Astrodome either. His best two years saw him launch 37 and 33 homers while he hit over 20 bombs seven of his nine years as a starter.

Wynn also had some surprising and willing speed. He stole 43 bases in 1965 and went over 20 twice. Additionally, he developed a solid eye in the batter’s box as well collecting walks like candy including a league-leading 148 in 1969. The Toy Cannon was a show of his own as an Astro and is one of the greatest Astros to patrol the outfield in Houston.

In an iconic moment of sheer power, Wynn launched a monster of a home run clear out of Crosley Field in Cincinnati onto Interstate 75. The ball jumped off his bat in a manner that very few other batters have been able to achieve. Wynn is cemented in Astros lore as one of the greatest players to see the transition from the Colt 45s to the Astros. His number 24 is retired.