Former Express Pitcher Roy Oswalt Is Next Hall Of Famer

ROUND ROCK, TX -- Right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt has been tapped as the next member of the Round Rock Express Hall of Fame, officials of the minor league team said Thursday.

The former Houston Astros pitcher was picked after a two-week online fan vote among other tabulations. The pitcher made two stops in Round Rock during his baseball career, first pitching for the E-Train at the Double-A level in 2000, officials said. That same year, he helped the team capture the Texas League Championship, striking out 15 batters in his first Triple-A start.

He would go on to post an 11-4 record in 18 total starts that season. The righty finished his first stint in Round Rock with a 1.94 ERA, striking out 141 batters while only walking 22 players at bat.

Oswalt pitched two complete games with the Round Rock Express, posting a shutout in both. He was later picked to play on the U.S. Olympic baseball team, eventually earning a gold medal. In his two Olympic starts, he struck out ten batters and allowed just two runs both times, Express officials noted.

Oswalt went to the big show in 2001, and would end up with a successful 13-year Major League career with Houston, Philadelphia, Texas and Colorado. He earned All-Star honors in 2005, 2006 and 2007; was named the 2005 National League Championship Series MVP; and won the NL pitching title in 2006.

In 2012, the pitcher briefly returned to Round Rock on a rehabilitation assignment during which time he posted a 1-1 record in three starts, striking out 10 batters in 15 innings pitched.

Oswalt beat out former teammates Dave Matranga and Keith Ginter in securing the Hall of Fame honor. He joins former Express Hall of Fame members Morgan Ensberg and Jackie Moore.

He’ll be inducted July 30 as part of Alumni Weekend.

>>> Photo illustration courtesy of Round Rock Express