7. Jose Cruz

Long before the "Killer B's" took over Houston, the Astrodome belonged to a left-handed contact artist from Puerto Rico named Jose Cruz. Arriving in 1975 after a stint in St. Louis, "Cheo" became the definitive face of the franchise during the most pitcher-friendly era in baseball history. In a cavernous ballpark where home runs went to die, Cruz mastered the art of the line drive, carving out a legacy as one of the most consistent and beloved hitters to ever wear the tequila-sunrise stripes.

Cruz’s tenure in Houston was a masterclass in hitting for average and creating chaos on the basepaths. He hit his stride in the late 1970s and stayed there for a decade, posting a batting average of .300 or better in six different seasons. His best year was in 1983, a summer where he led the National League with 189 hits and drove in 92 runs, earning a Silver Slugger and a third-place finish in the MVP race. He was a model of specialized efficiency, utilizing a short, lightning-quick stroke to slice doubles into the gaps and providing the steady-state production that carried the Astros to their first-ever division titles in 1980 and 1986.

Cruz’s versatile athleticism often went overlooked in the national spotlight. He wasn't just a slap hitter; he possessed a deceptive burst of speed that saw him eclipse the 30-stolen base plateau five times as an Astro. He possessed a professional resilience that allowed him to remain a high-frequency contributor well into his late 30s, eventually amassing 1,937 hits in a Houston uniform. He served as the primary engine for the 1980 "Cardiac Kids," utilizing his veteran-like poise to lead the club through a grueling one-game playoff and into the postseason for the first time in franchise history.

He left for the New York Yankees after the 1987 season and would go on to amass 1,937 hits, 288 stolen bases, and a .292 batting average while finishing in the top ten of the MVP voting three times.  Houston bestowed the ultimate honor on Cruz: a franchise Hall of Fame induction in 2019.