Cocoa Astros

Cocoa Astros 1951–1977 (1951–1958, 1965–1972, 1977) Cocoa, Florida
Class-level
Previous	Class A (1965–1977) Class D (1951–1958)
Minor league affiliations
League	Florida State League
Major league affiliations
Previous	Houston Astros (1965–1972, 1977) Cleveland Indians (1957–1958) New York Giants (1956)
Minor league titles
League titles	1 (1956)
Team data
Previous names	Cocoa Astros (1965–1972, 1977) Cocoa Indians (1951–1958)
Previous parks	Cocoa Expo Sports Center (1965–1977) Indians Field (1951–58)

The Cocoa Astros were a professional minor league baseball team in the Florida State League (FSL), as a Class A affiliate with the Houston Astros from 1965–72 and 1977. The team played at the Astros' spring training facility. The Cocoa FSL team was first known as the Cocoa Indians (1951–58) when formed in 1951. The Indians won the Florida State League title in 1956 with a 90-50 record.^[1]

The ballparks

The Cocoa Astros played at the Cocoa Expo Sports Center located at 500 Friday Road. The facility was originally built in 1964 for the Houston Colt .45's use during Spring training.^[2][3] The Indians played at the Ball Fields at 1450 Minuteman Causeway.^[4]

Felipe Alou, 2005

Notable alumni

• Bruce Bochy (1977) MLB MGR: 1996 NL Manager of the Year:MGR: 3 × World Series Champion (2010, 2012, 2014) – S.F. Giants
• Jim Pankovits (1977)
• Joe Pittman (1977)
• Gary Rajsich (1977)
• Bert Roberge (1977)
• Dave Smith (1977) 2 x MLB AS; 216 Career saves, 2.67 ERA
• Paul Siebert (1972)
• John McLaren (baseball) (1972) MLB MGR
• Jimy Williams (1972 MGR) 1999 AL Manager of the Year
• Jackie Brandt (1970)
• Mike Cosgrove (1970–71)
• Mike Easler (1970–71) MLB AS; MLB Hitting Coach
• Stan Papi (1970–71)
• J. R. Richard (1970) MLB AS; 1979 NL ERA Leader; 2 × NL Strikeout Leader (1978, 1979)
• Derrel Thomas (1969)
• Oscar Zamora (1969)
• Cesar Cedeno (1968) 5 x GG; 4 x MLB AS
• John Mayberry (1968) 2 x MLB AS
• Leo Posada (1968–69, Player/MGR)
• Ed Acosta (1967–68)
• Ed Armbrister (1967–68)
• Enzo Hernández (1967)
• Cliff Johnson (1967–68)
• Scipio Spinks (1967)
• Roric Harrison (1966) Last AL pitcher to hit HR before use of DH
• Bob Watson (1966) 2 x MLB AS; MLB GM
• Danny Walton (1965)
• Don Wilson (1965) MLB AS; 2 x No-Hitters; Died age 29
• Larry Brown (1958)
• Chuck Hiller (1957)
• Walt Bond (1957)
• Buddy Kerr (1956, Player/MGR)
• Felipe Alou (1956) 3 x MLB AS: MLB MGR: 1994 NL Manager of the Year
• Julio Navarro (1955–56)
• Bama Rowell (1953–54)
• Pep Rambert (1952, MGR)

References

1. http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Cocoa_Indians
2. http://ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Cocoa%20Expo%20Stadium&in_city=Cocoa&in_state=Florida
3. http://www.cocoaexpo.com/baseball
4. http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Ball-Fields-42

• Baseball Reference