Houston Astros: The Ten Best Clubs in Franchise History

Face it: The only way the 2011 version of the Houston Astros make the postseason would be either on a video game or divine act from the General Manager in the Sky.

There's no need to linger on the fate of this bunch. Accept it, enjoy the wins when they happen and look forward to the future.

Another way to ease the current pain would be looking back at the past when the Astros were viable postseason threats and names like Scott, Bagwell, Biggio and Ryan were feature names on squads that made trips to either the Astrodome or Minute Maid Park worth the trip in spite of the oppressive Houston summers that tested human willpower.

Who would be your choice as the best single season Astros team of all-time? The pick for number one may not be what many would expect, but join us and prepare your own opinions.

For once, the words "Astros," "baseball" and "fun" should be reunited. Enjoy.

10. 1972 (84-69, 3rd in National League West)

9. 1994 (66-49, 2nd in National League Central)

8. 2001 (93-69, 1st in National League Central, lost in NLDS)

7. 1979 (89-73, 2nd in National League West)

6. 1999 (97-65, 1st in National League West, lost in NLDS)

5. 1980 (93-70, 1st in National League West, lost in NLCS)

4. 2004 (92-70, 2nd in National League Central, lost in NLCS)

3. 1986 (96-66, won National League West, lost in NLCS)

2. 2005 (89-73, 2nd in National League Central, lost in World Series)

1. 1998 (102-60, won National League Central, lost in NLDS)