JIM WYNN – RF
Perhaps the most famous early Astro, Jim Wynn joined the team as part of the 1962 first-year draft from the Cincinnati Reds. Needing to stay on the roster, or face toiling in the Reds farm system, Wynn was a part-time player his first two years until the Astros moved inside.
For the next nine years, he patrolled either center or right field. In a park notorious for killing home runs, Wynn powered 37 in 1967 and 33 in 1969. A free swinger, often fanning more than 100 times a year, he developed a keen eye at the plate, leading the league in walks in 1969 with 148. In his younger years, he could nearly steal bases at will. In 1965, he swiped 43 in 47 chances. During his peak years of 1969 and ’70, he still nabbed over 20 bases, rarely getting caught.
Aside from his power, he scored over 100 runs three times, breaking the 30 double mark twice and drove in 107 in 1967. During that year, Wynn clobbered one home run clear out of Cincinnati’s old Crosley Field and on to the new Interstate 75. His nickname of “The Toy Cannon” fit.
With his place in Astros history secure, his number 24 is retired, Wynn was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Claude Osteen and a minor leaguer. With the Dodgers in 1974, he helped pace the team to the NL pennant and finished fifth in the MVP voting.
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