Looking back on the Astrodome's Top 12 moments
The Astros will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Astrodome before their game tonight. Here's a look back at the Top 12 Astros moments at the "Eighth Wonder of the World:"
• April 9, 1965: Astrodome opens when the Astros face the Yankees in an exhibition game with President Johnson and Texas Gov. John Connally in attendance.
• July 9, 1968: Astros play host to the 39th All-Star game, with the NL beating the AL, 1-0. It's the first All-Star Game played indoors and on artificial turf. Willie Mays scored the only run, in the first inning.
Video: 1968 ASG: Koosman whiffs Yaz for final out
• Oct. 2, 1976: On the final day of the regular season, J.R. Richard throws a complete-game, four-hitter and strikes out 13 Giants to become only the second Astros pitcher to win 20 games in a season, joining Larry Dierker (1969). He finished 20-15, with a 2.75 ERA.
• Oct. 10, 1980: Denny Walling's 11th-inning sacrifice fly scores Rafael Landestoy with the winning run in a 1-0 win over the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS. It was the Astros' first home playoff win and put them within a game of the World Series. They lost the next two games at home in extra innings.
Video: LAD@HOU: Ryan gets his 5th career no-hitter
• Sept. 26, 1981: Nolan Ryan throws his record-breaking fifth no-hitter, against the Dodgers, breaking Sandy Koufax's record.
Video: AL@NL: Clemens hurls three perfect innings, wins MVP
• July 15, 1986: Astros host the 57th All-Star Game, with the AL -- behind hometown MVP Roger Clemens of the Red Sox -- beating the NL, 3-2.
Video: SF@HOU: Scott's no-hitter clinches the NL West
• Sept. 25, 1986: Astros pitcher Mike Scott throws a no-hitter against the Giants to clinch the 1986 NL West title, striking out 13 batters, en route to the Cy Young Award.
Video: NLCS Gm6: Hatcher homers in the bottom of the 14th
• Oct. 15, 1986: Billy Hatcher's dramatic 14th-inning homer in Game 6 of the 1986 NLCS against the Mets ties the game, though the Astros lose in 16 innings.
• June 3-4, 1989: The Astros outlast the Dodgers, 5-4, in 22 innings, winning on a single by Rafael Ramirez. At 7 hours, 14 minutes, it's the longest night game in MLB history. The Astros beat the Dodgers, 7-6, in 13 innings only hours later.
• Sept. 25, 1997: Astros clinch their first playoff berth in 11 years by winning the NL Central behind a complete game by Mike Hampton, beating the Cubs, 9-1.
• Aug. 7, 1998: A crowd of 52,071 watches Randy Johnson shut out the Phillies in his first home game since being traded to the Astros from the Mariners. It was the first of three consecutive home shutouts for the Big Unit.
Video: LAD@HOU: Astros clinch the NL Central
• Oct. 3, 1999: Astros clinch their third consecutive NL Central title in the last regular season game played in the Astrodome, beating the Dodgers, 9-4.