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Larry Dierker used his fastball, curveball, screwball, slider, and changeup to reach double figures in victories nine times, and in 1969 became the first Astro to win 20. Coveted by 18 ML teams, the 6' 4" Hollywood, CA native signed with Houston and debuted on his 18th birthday in 1964. By 1969 Dierker had become the anchor of a staff that featured Don Wilson, Denny Lemaster, and Tom Griffin. Dierker, along with Jim Wynn, was one of the few highlights on a mediocre Astros squad.

His 1967 campaign was shortened by military service, and in 1973 he suffered a shoulder injury. On July 9, 1976 Dierker no-hit the Expos; the Montreal manager was Karl Kuehl, who had signed him. "I didn't think I would ever do it," exclaimed Dierker upon finally pitching a no-hitter after four near-misses. He left the Astros in 1976 as their career leader in virtually every pitching department.

Dierker remained close to the Astros organization after retiring in 1977. After two years spent working in the team's front office, he was hired as the Astros' radio and TV color commentator in 1979. In 1997 Dierker was named to replace Terry Collins (fired after a string of second-place finishes) as the team's manager, leading the team to an 84-78 record and a spot in the postseason for the first time in eleven years. Although Dierker's club was swept in three games by the NL East champion Atlanta Braves, it was an impressive showing for a rookie manager who'd never before skippered a team at any level.

The following season, the Astros held a comfortable lead in the NL Central in late July when they traded several minor league prospects to Seattle for dominating lefthander Randy Johnson. Propelled by Johnson's 10-1 run as an Astro, Houston streaked to a club-record 102 wins and found themselves favored by many to reach the World Series. Their dreams of a pennant came to a sudden halt, however, when San Diego's pitching staff shut down the hard-hitting Astros and defeated them three games to one in the Division Series. Dierker received some consolation after the season when he was named National League Manager of the Year.

Dierker's popularity in Houston was never more evident than in June, 1999, when he collapsed with a grand mal seizure in the Astros dugout during a game with San Diego. The game was suspended as Dierker was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a dislodged collection of blood vessels in his brain. A month after his surgery, Dierker returned to the team and was greeted in his first game back by a sea of well-wishers; most of the Astrodome fans wore Hawaiian shirts (Dierker's favored off-duty apparel) and leis in honor of their beloved skipper. (TJ/JGR)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 9, 1969: Johnny Podres, out of baseball in 1968, makes a brilliant start for San Diego, allowing 2 hits in 7 innings in a 2–0 win over Houston. Sisk finishes the shutout as Larry Dierker takes the loss. » July 30, 1969: Its a bad day for the Mets at Shea. In the 1st of two games, Houston scores 11 runs in the 9th inning, eight coming home on grand slams by Jimmy Wynn and Denis Menke, to trounce the Mets 16–3. This is the first time this century in the National League that two grand slams have come in the same inning, with Mets pitchers Cal Koonce and Ron Taylor teeing up the honors. (The last time in the American League was July 18, 1962.) Taylor also serves up a single to Houston relief P Fred Gladding, the only hit of Gladding's career in 63 ML at bats and 450 games. Game two is no different as the Astros tally 10 runs in the 3rd inning to thrash the Mets, 11–5. Curt Blefary triples with the sacks full and pitcher Larry Dierker (13-8) homers with a man on. » April 5, 1971: Decked out in their bright new uniforms, predominantly orange, the Astros open at home with a 5–2 win over the Dodgers. Larry Dierker is the winner over Bill Singer. Astro OF Geronimo and Wynn make great throws to cut down LA rallies. » May 26, 1971: The Padres Al "Iron Man" Santorini starts both ends of a doubleheader against the Astros. Santorini, facing a lineup of seven lefties, retires one batter before manager Preston Gomez lifts him for lefty Dave Roberts. It almost works, but Houston scores a run in the 9th to win, 2–1. In the nightcap, Santorini gives up two earned runs in six innings, but the Padres manage only one hit -- a 2-out single in the 7th by Ollie Brown -- off Larry Dierker. The Astros win, 8–0. » June 18, 1972: Larry Bowa's 9th-inning double is the Phillies' only hit as the Astros Jerry Reuss hurls a 10–0 shutout. Tomorrow, Houston's Larry Dierker will also spin a one-hitter. » June 19, 1972: Larry Dierker fires Houston's 2nd straight one-hitter, tying a ML record, beating the Mets, 3–0. He walks Willie Mays twice but Duffy Dyer's single in the 3rd is the only hit. The last pair of consecutive one-hitters were Gary Gentry and Tom Seaver on May 13–15, 1970. » June 1, 1975: The Phils edge the Astros, 5–4, on Jay Johnstone's 5th inning homer off Larry Dierker. The homer is the only hit for the Phils after the first inning in which they score 4. » July 9, 1976: In Montreal, the Astros Larry Dierker no-hits the Expos 6–0 and evens his record at 8-8. Dierker had previously thrown two one-hitters. Dierker strikes out 8, including the 1st two in the 9th. Houston is 4th in the West while Montreal is last in the East. » October 4, 1996: After three straight winning seasons, Terry Collins is fired as manager of the Astros. He is replaced by broadcaster Larry Dierker. » June 13, 1999: Astros manager Larry Dierker is taken to the hospital after suffering a grand mal seizure during the 8th inning of Houston's game against the Padres. The contest is suspended with the Astros leading, 4-1. Dierker will undergo surgery on the 15th to remove two masses of tangled blood vessels in his brain that caused the seizure. Coach Matt Galante takes over as temporary manager in Dierker's absence. Dierker later tells GM Gerry Hunsicker he doesn't remember anything after the second inning. » October 18, 2001: Houston manager Larry Dierker resigns. Dierker led the Astros to four division crowns in five seasons at the helm, but never made it past the first round of the playoffs. » May 19, 2002: The Pirates defeat the Astros, 5–3, in Houston. Prior to the game, the Astros retire former pitcher and manager Larry Dierker's uniform #49.