Ken Forsch joined the Houston organization as an 18th-round selection in the 1968 draft out of Oregon State, a versatile right-hander who would spend over a decade alternating between the rotation and the bullpen.
Making his debut in late 1970, Forsch served as a primary starter for his first four seasons, and he transitioned into the role of a premier late-inning weapon by 1974. He earned an All-Star selection in 1976 as the club's closer, recording 19 saves and a microscopic 2.15 ERA. This period of growth served as the essential lead-in to his return to the rotation in 1979, showing that his veteran-like poise allowed him to shift back into a starting role without missing a beat. He famously punctuated this transition by tossing a no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves in his very first start of the 1979 season, a historic feat that joined him with his brother, Bob, as the only siblings to both throw no-hitters. That summer, he evolved into one of the most difficult pitchers to reach base against in the National League, leading the circuit with a 1.069 WHIP and a league-best 1.77 walks-per-nine innings.
He remained a model of offensive prevention during the 1980 run, helping the "feared four" rotation of Ryan, Richard, and Niekro secure the franchise’s first division title, but the next year, he was traded to the California Angels. Forsch compiled a 78-81 record and 50 saves for Houston.
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