Hakeem Olajuwon changed sports in Houston. Photo by Tim DeFrisco/ALLSPORT/Getty Images
Texas is known for having some of the most talented athletes from across the world. College coaches consider Houston to be one of the best recruiting hot spots every year, so it's no surprise that some of these incredible players would wind up playing professionally in Houston.
Not all the players on this list are from Texas originally, but they got here as soon as they could. This list is only five players deep —see who made the cut.
5. Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio comes in at No. 5. Biggio became the first player to be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Houston Astro in 2015, and he finished his career with 3,060 hits. He began his career with the Astros in 1988 as a catcher, and he eventually moved positions several times over the years. Biggio made the All-Star team as a catcher and a second baseman, something that had never been accomplished in the history of baseball. His seven All-Star appearances and his 668 career doubles ranked him fifth in major league history and are the most ever by a right-handed hitter.
His career averages were very impressive as well, as he was able to rack up 105 runs, 17 homers, 38 doubles, 67 RBI, and 24 stolen bases on average per season. Biggio's No. 7 was retired from the Astros in 2008, making him the ninth player in Astros history to have this honor. He has a strong relationship with the Astros front office and players and will always be remembered as the first player to be inducted into Cooperstown as an Astro.
4. Jeff Bagwell
The last two spots are reserved for the most famous of the Killer B's: Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. The order of these two players is clearly subjective, but Jeff Bagwell ranks ahead of Biggio for one big reason: power. This decision is mostly based on statistics, and which player I thought was better in his prime. Bagwell, on average, was much better than Biggio in some of the most important offensive categories, such as runs, home runs, RBIs, and batting average. He finished with a career season average of 114 runs scored, 34 home runs, 115 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and a .297 career batting average. Yes, he averaged those numbers for his entire career.
He won Rookie of the Year in 1991 and made the All-Star team four times. That's saying something when you consider the Hall of Fame first basemen he was competing against throughout his career. Albert Pujols, anyone? Bagwell also has a National League MVP on his resume from the strike-shortened 1994 season in which Bagwell already had 39 bombs and 116 RBI through only 110 games.
He was a member of the only Astros team to play in a World Series, but didn’t have much left at that point in his career. The team was swept by the Chicago White Sox, and Bagwell’s severe shoulder injury would eventually end his career. Bagwell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017, and remains one of the most revered athletes to ever play in Houston.
3. Earl Campbell
The third name on the list is one of the best running backs in the history of college football and the NFL, Earl Campbell. Earl was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1978 and had a rookie season for the ages. Campbell won the Rookie of the Year award and was named to the All-Pro team after rushing for 1,450 yards with 13 TDs in his first season.
Campbell's best season was two years later when he rushed for a mind-boggling 1,934 yards and an unbelievable 5.2 yards per carry. Not to mention, Campbell won the MVP in 1979 with 1,697 rushing yards and a whopping 19 TDs. His overall resume is incredibly impressive: He finished his college career with a Heisman trophy at the University of Texas in 1977, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1978, five Pro Bowls, three Offensive Player of the Year awards, and the MVP of the National Football League in 1979.
His career was short-lived due to the pounding he took in college and the pros, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991 after only eight seasons in the league. “The Tyler Rose” is still a local favorite in Houston for being a big part of the Luv Ya Blue Oilers teams that just couldn't get past the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. He remains one of the most iconic players to ever play in front of a Houston crowd.
2. Nolan Ryan
The second spot on the list goes to the iconic Nolan Ryan. Nothing says badass more than Nolan Ryan, and maybe Chuck Norris. His combination of talent and intimidation is something that every young pitcher dreams of. A 100 mph fastball and a willingness to throw inside made him a legend, and racking up Ks at a never-before-seen pace sure didn’t hurt his reputation.
For a pitcher, strikeouts show just how nasty your stuff is, and Ryan is the all-time king of strikeouts, with over 5,000 in his career — talk about a record that will never be broken. One of his biggest achievements was throwing his record-breaking fifth no-hitter for the Astros in 1981 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was already 34 years old at the time, but nobody knew he had another decade left in that right arm.
His other super human ability, besides his blazing fastball, was his longevity. He was able to pitch until the age of 46 and was still considered a power pitcher upon retirement. Ryan played on some great Astros teams, particularly in 1980 and 1986. Both teams came very close to a World Series appearance, and Ryan was a huge part of those teams.
He finished his career with the Texas Rangers, but will always have a special place in the hearts of Houston fans. The Astros were not interested in bringing him back after the 1988 season, and didn’t foresee he would have so many more quality years left. You can still catch Nolan at the ball park quite often, and his Nolan Ryan Beef is a huge hit at Minute Maid Park, especially on Wednesday nights for dollar hot dogs. Oh, and by the way, his son is the president of the Astros. Pretty amazing considering the Astros might have the blue print for one of the best run teams in Major League Baseball.
1. Hakeem Olajuwon
When we're talking about the best Houston player of all-time, championships have to be the first thing considered. No offense to Robert Horry or any of the other guys, but it was very clear which player was the driving force behind the Rockets' back-to-back NBA championships. Look no further than "The Dream," Hakeem Olajuwon.
Hakeem was drafted by the Rockets in 1984 and started his career with a bang, being voted runner-up as Rookie of the Year finishing just behind the GOAT, Michael Jordan. Olajuwon ended up making the All-Star team 12 times, was voted Defensive Player of the Year twice, and finished as the regular season and finals MVP in 1994. He was also voted finals MVP in 1995 when the Rockets won their second championship in a row.
The Rockets are the only Houston team to win it all in modern times, and that feat places Olajuwon in a lonely tier of all-time Houston athletes. We've had some talented HOF players over the years, but it's all about winning in the end, and no other athlete comes close to the achievements of Olajuwon.
He almost captured a college championship as well for the city of Houston, but he and the University of Houston Cougars fell just short in an all-time upset against North Carolina State in 1983. Dealing with that failure may have been a critical learning experience that eventually led to back-to-back championships with the Rockets. Olajuwon is still a big presence in the Rockets organization and is well-known for helping young players develop their skills in the post.
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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