- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Bobby Shantz struck out Lou Brock on the first pitch in Houston franchise history, then went the distance in an 11-2 victory over the Cubs on April 11, 1962.
The 36-year-old left-hander, a former 1952 AL MVP with the Philadelphia A's who had pitched for the Yankees in the 1957 and 1960 World Series, allowed two runs in the inaugural game for the expansion club originally called the Colts. The scoreboard showed Brock batting .353. The 23-year-old Brock had played four games for the Cubs in 1961.
Houston collected 13 hits and three home runs off five Cubs pitchers. Ernie Banks hit his first home run of the year for the Cubs, who entered with an 18-9 spring training record and touted prospects Billy Williams, the 1961 NL Rookie of the Year, and Ken Hubbs.
Houston swept the opening series. Shantz, who made only three total appearances for Houston, was traded to the Cardinals on May 7 for John Anderson and Carl Warwick. Brock was later traded to St. Louis in an infamous deal. Houston finished 64-96 in 1962; the Cubs fell to 59-103, their first 100-loss season.
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).