1978 Columbus Astros Roster
Team Record: 70-73
Finished 4th in the SL's East Division
Manager: Jimmy Johnson (70-73)
Affiliation: Houston Astros
Location: Columbus, Georgia
Ballpark: Golden Park I & II
Attendance: 75,438, Avg. 1,055
The Columbus Astros of the Southern League ended the 1978 season with a record of 70 wins and 73 losses, finishing fourth in the league's East Division.
The Astros scored 502 runs and allowed 542 runs. Alan Knicely led Columbus with 15 home runs Alan Knicely and Larry Eubanks each drove in 50 runs. Jim Pankovits paced hitters with significant playing time by hitting .240. Gordie Pladson topped the squad with 11 wins, while Randy Niemann recorded a 2.05 ERA, best among hurlers with significant time on the mound.
Gary Rajsich, José Sosa, Reggie Baldwin, Randy Niemann, Joe Pittman, Bruce Bochy, Jim Pankovits, Bert Roberge, Billy Smith, Gordie Pladson, Mike Mendoza, Vern Ruhle, Alan Knicely, Scott Loucks, Dave Smith, Bert Peña and Tom Wiedenbauer were all players from the 1978 Columbus Astros who played in the Majors during their careers.
Jimmy Johnson served as manager.Click on column headings to sort.
| Player | Bats | Throws | Birth Date | Height | Weight | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Allen | R | R | August 31, 1954 | 6'3" | 190 | Philadelphia, PA US |
| David Aloi | R | R | October 3, 1955 | 6'1" | 182 | Vallejo, CA US |
| Reggie Baldwin | R | R | August 19, 1954 | 6'1" | 195 | River Rouge, MI US |
| Bruce Bochy | R | R | April 16, 1955 | 6'3" | 205 | Landes de Bussac, FR |
| Rod Boxberger | R | R | August 22, 1957 | 6'1" | 170 | Santa Ana, CA US |
| Larry Eubanks | R | R | March 7, 1955 | |||
| Duane Gustavson | R | R | January 22, 1955 | 6'0" | 190 | Mundelein, IL US |
| Phil Klimas | R | R | May 20, 1956 | 5'11" | 175 | Chicago, IL US |
| Alan Knicely | R | R | May 19, 1955 | 6'0" | 190 | Harrisonburg, VA US |
| Scott Loucks | R | R | November 11, 1956 | 6'0" | 178 | Anchorage, AK US |
| Mike Mendoza | R | R | November 26, 1955 | 6'5" | 215 | Inglewood, CA US |
| Mark Miggins | R | L | May 6, 1954 | 6'3" | 190 | |
| Dennis Miscik | L | L | April 27, 1954 | 6'1" | 185 | Calumet, PA US |
| Randy Niemann | L | L | November 15, 1955 | 6'4" | 200 | Scotia, CA US |
| Jim Pankovits | R | R | August 6, 1955 | 5'10" | 170 | Pennington Gap, VA US |
| Bert Peña | R | R | July 11, 1959 | 5'11" | 165 | Santurce, PR |
| Joe Pittman | R | R | January 1, 1953 | 6'1" | 180 | Houston, TX US |
| Gordie Pladson | R | R | July 31, 1956 | 6'4" | 210 | New Westminster, BC CA |
| Gary Rajsich | L | L | October 28, 1954 | 6'2" | 210 | Youngstown, OH US |
| Bert Roberge | R | R | October 3, 1954 | 6'4" | 190 | Lewiston, ME US |
| Simon Rosario | R | R | May 18, 1957 | 6'1" | 159 | Paraje Clavellina, DO |
| Randy Rouse | R | R | August 22, 1955 | 6'0" | 185 | |
| Vern Ruhle | R | R | January 25, 1951 | 6'1" | 185 | Coleman, MI US |
| Billy Smith | R | R | September 13, 1954 | 6'7" | 200 | La Marque, TX US |
| Dave Smith | R | R | January 21, 1955 | 6'1" | 195 | Richmond, CA US |
| Jeff Smith | L | R | November 20, 1955 | 6'0" | 170 | Wilmington, NC US |
| José Sosa | R | R | December 28, 1952 | 5'11" | 158 | Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional DO |
| Fernando Tatis | R | R | July 12, 1950 | 5'11" | 160 | Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional DO |
| Thad Troedson | R | R | July 9, 1956 | 6'3" | 208 | San Jose, CA US |
| Jose Turnes | R | R | 6'2" | 180 | ||
| Tom Wiedenbauer | R | R | November 5, 1958 | 6'1" | 180 | Menomonee, WI US |
Average attendance is based upon the number of actual home dates where known (most leagues from 1992 and later). Where the number of home dates is not known, the average is calculated using half the team's total games.
