1972 Houston Astros season

The 1972 Houston Astros season was the 11th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their eighth as the Astros, 11th in the National League, fourth in the NL West division, and eighth at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with a 79–83 record, tied for fourth place, and 11 games behind first place in the NL West.

Three managers led the club for the 1972 season: Harry Walker, Salty Parker for one game on an interim basis, and Leo Durocher, who was installed as Walker's permanent replacement. Each represented the fourth, fifth and sixth managers for Houston, with Walker having been the longest-serving (708 games) in franchise history at the time.

The Astros' first round draft pick in the amateur draft was outfielder Steve Englishbey, at ninth overall.

Center fielder César Cedeño and first baseman Lee May represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game. It was the first career selection for Cedeño and third for May.

The Astros concluded the season with a record of 84–69—the first-ever winning season in franchise history—in second place in the NL West, 10+1⁄2 games behind the Cincinnati Reds and just a percentage point ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers. It also represented the highest positional finish and fewest games back of first place for the Astros at the time.

Following the season, Cedeño (first selection) and Doug Rader (third) each earned Gold Glove Awards.