by William Menna

Created on: July 18, 2010

Between 1997 and 2005, a group of star players known as the “Killer B's” led the Houston Astros to the most successful era in franchise history. In that stretch, they produced six playoff appearances and reached the 2005 World Series. Three of those Killer B's - Craig Biggio, Lance Berkman, and Jeff Bagwell - comprise the top three of the Houston Astros all-time home run leaders.

Jeff Bagwell: 449 home runs

Career Astros third baseman Jeff Bagwell is the Houston Astros all-time home run leader. Bagwell gave the Astros 15 brilliant seasons and is the greatest player in team history. Bagwell broke out in 1994 when he hit 39 home runs and slugged .750 to win the NL MVP Award. He followed it with eight straight 30-plus home run seasons from 1996 to 2003. Jeff Bagwell's best home run season came in 2000 when he crushed 47 home runs, one of three 40-homer years.

Lance Berkman: 320 home runs

The only remaining active player among Astros home run leaders is first baseman Lance Berkman. Berkman joined the Astros in 1999 and became a full-time player in 2000. He has hit at least 20 home runs in every full season of his career, reaching the 30 home run mark five times. Berkman's best statistical season came in 2006 when he hit 45 home runs and drove in 136 RBI to finish third in the MVP voting.

Craig Biggio: 291 home runs

Craig Biggio wasn't a great home run hitter, but he was a good overall hitter who remained effective for a career that lasted two decades. A career Astro who played from 1988 to 2007, Biggio evolved as a player from a speedy singles hitter to a balanced 15 to 25 home run hitter while playing three of the four most important defensive positions on the field - catcher, second base, and center field. Craig Biggio tallied eight 20-plus home run seasons with his high of 26 coming near the end of his career in 2005. Upon his retirement, Biggio became the ninth Houston Astro to have his number retired.

Jim Wynn: 223 home runs

Jim Wynn spent the first 11 seasons of his career in Houston and ranks fourth among Astros all-time home run leaders. An member of the team during the 1960s and 1970s, Wynn was a pure power hitter who struck out a ton and usually hit for a mediocre average. In 1966, Wynn made his only All-Star appearance as an Astro when he hit 37 home runs to finish second in the National League. He gave the Astros three 30 home run seasons and eight 20 homer years.

Glenn Davis: 166 home runs

A star of the team during the 1980s, Glenn Davis ranks fifth among Houston Astros all-time home run leaders. Davis had six straight 20-plus home run years for the Astros before he was traded to the Orioles in 1991. The two-time All-Star first baseman had a 31 home run 101 RBI year in 1986, finishing second in the NL MVP voting to Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt. He posted his career high of 34 home runs in 1989.

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