In their fourth season in the National League Central and first under former player/broadcaster-turned manager Larry Dierker, the Astros finished in first place, giving them their first playoff berth in eleven years.
[1] December 2, 1996: Pat Listach signed as a free agent with the Houston Astros.
[2] On May 20, Jeff Bagwell collected his 1,000th career hit on a home run (his first of two on the day) off Calvin Maduro in a 9–5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Infielders Coaches Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg.
= Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts The Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros, three games to none.