Houston Astros

On this day in 2008, Brad Lidge returned to Minute Maid Park for the first time since being traded to the Philadelphia in the offseason. He capped off his 12th save of the year by getting Lance Berkman to pop out for the last out in a 7-5 win for the Phillies.

Houston Astros

On this day in 2008, a day after reporting to spring training, Hunter Pence put himself through a sliding glass door, lacerating his hands and knees. "Well, that could really only happen to Hunter," Lance Berkman said. "He's always running through and into things. But I do plan to give him a hard time when I see him."

In response to musings that he must have had too much to drink, Hunter said: "Well, I mean, I would think the same thing if I heard the story but, you know, if you knew me I'm prone to sometimes kind of just ... a little reckless abandon. I feel like it's funny. Early in the day I kept hitting my elbow on things and I hit my shins on the coffee table. I was like, 'Man, I just have it out for myself today.' And, ironically, later that night I didn't know I was going to jump through the door. ... No, I was not drunk at all."

Quotes from Jose de Jesus Ortiz's blog on chron.com.

Houston Astros

Former Astro Roger Clemens sits in front of a congressional circus, er, hearing for several hours trying to save his legacy, which was on life-support since the Mitchell Report was announced. He was unsuccessful.

Houston Astros

The Mitchell Report, commissioned by Bud Selig and conducted by former senator George Mitchell was released, detailing drug use in the MLB. Former Astros Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte headlined the list of users. Miguel Tejada, traded to the Astros from the Orioles just a day before, was also implicated, to the surprise of no one except Drayton McClane and Ed Wade.

Houston Astros

New Astros general manager Ed Wade completes his biggest deal of the offseason, sending five players, including Troy Patton, Luke Scott, and Matt Albers to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Miguel Tejada. The trade was completed the day before the Mitchell Report was due to be released, despite the fact that steroid allegations had been hounding Tejada since Canseco's book, "Juiced" was published in 2005.

Houston Astros

On this day in 2007, new Astros general manager Ed Wade continued to clean house by sending Jason Lane to the San Diego Padres for cash considerations. He finished the season with a .175 batting average.

Houston Astros

On this day in 2007, with the Astros reeling and in last place at 57-73, Drayton McLane fired Phil Garner and Tim Pupura, closing one of the most triumphant, yet disappointing chapters in Astros history.