Bill Doran

Bill Doran was a fan favorite among Astros players in the 1980’s. He was a tough, hard-nosed player that was admired for both his hustle and ferocity and for his pro­duction on the field. As a player, he was one of the top, all-around second basemen in the National League and one of the best at that position in franchise history.

During the 1980’s, the switch-hitting Doran led all Astros players in runs scored, stolen bases and walks, was second in hits and third in games played. Among all NL second basemen in the 1980’s, he ranked first in walks, second in runs scored and fourth in stolen bases. On the Astros all-time franchise lists, Doran ranks in the top 10 in hits, runs, stolen bases, walks, at-bats and triples. Among switch-hitters, he ranks second only to Lance Berkman in most significant categories in franchise history. Doran was voted as the Team MVP on two occasions (1985, 1987). Defen­sively, he ranks third in franchise history in assists and fourth in double plays turned.

Doran was also one of the top contact hitters in baseball as he tallied more walks than strikeouts eight times in his career. He also finished in the top 10 in the NL in walks four times. An accomplished base-stealer, Doran reached 20 or more stolen bases in a season five times and 30 or more steals twice, including a career-high 42 steals in 1986. He played a pivotal role on the 1986 NL West Champion Astros club, leading the club in runs scored and steals that season.

Doran was also one of the most durable players in baseball as he had just one brief stint on the Disabled List during his nine seasons while in an Astros uniform, appearing in 1,165 games in that span. In 1987, he led the NL by appearing in all 162 games.

He was originally selected by the Astros in the sixth round of the 1979 June Draft and made his MLB debut in September of 1982. The next season, he was the Astros starting second baseman on Opening Day, and would appear in 154 games, hitting .271 with a team-best 86 walks. He would finish fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting that season.