2002 Houston Astros season

The 2002 Houston Astros season was the 41st season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 38th as the Astros, 41st in the National League (NL), ninth in the NL Central division, and third at Astros Park, renamed Minute Maid Park the following year. The Astros entered the season as defending NL Central division champions for the fourth time with a 93–69 record; however, their season ended in defeat in the National League Division Series (NLDS) to the Atlanta Braves for the third time.

The 2002 season was the first for Jimy Williams as manager, the 15th in franchise history, having replaced Larry Dierker.

Opening Day for Houston occurred on April 2 in which they hosted the Milwaukee Brewers, who won, 9–3. Wade Miller was the Astros' Opening Day starting pitcher. On April 8, Craig Biggio became the fifth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. The Astros' first round draft pick in the amateur draft was pitcher Derick Grigsby, 29th overall.

Outfielder Lance Berkman represented the Astros and played for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game, his second career selection.

Berkman became the second Astro to lead the league in runs batted in (RBI), collecting 128.

The Astros concluded the season with an 84–78 record, in second place in the NL Central division, and 13 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The Astros ranked third in the NL Wild Card race, trailing the eventual NL-champion San Francisco Giants by 11+1⁄2 games. However, this was the ninth winning season in the previous 10 for Houston—with 2000 being the exception—continuing an unprecedented period of success. Additionally, it was the eighth time in nine seasons since moving to the NL Central that the Astros had finished in either first or second place.

Following the season, catcher Brad Ausmus won the second Gold Glove Award of his career.