1997 Houston Astros season

The 1997 Houston Astros season was the 36th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in Houston, Texas. In their fourth season in the National League Central and first under former player/broadcaster-turned manager Larry Dierker, the Astros finished in first place, giving them their first playoff berth in eleven years. They clinched the division title eleven years to the day of their last title on September 25.

Offseason
December 2, 1996: Pat Listach signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.

Regular season
The 1,000 hit of Jeff Bagwell's career was a home run on May 20 against Calvin Maduro, one of his two that game, in a 9–5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Opening Day starters

 * Bobby Abreu
 * Brad Ausmus
 * Jeff Bagwell
 * Derek Bell
 * Sean Berry
 * Craig Biggio
 * Luis Gonzalez
 * Pat Listach
 * Shane Reynolds

Notable transactions

 * June 3, 1997: 1997 Major League Baseball draft
 * Lance Berkman was drafted by the Astros in the 1st round (16th pick) . Player signed June 4, 1997.
 * Eric Byrnes was drafted by the Astros in the 4th round, but did not sign.
 * July 1, 1997: Pat Listach was released by the Astros.
 * July 27, 1997: Josías Manzanillo was signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.

Regular season

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Astros team member

Postseason Game log

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Astros team member

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

National League Divisional Playoffs
The Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros, three games to none.