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Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Image 2 of 27 During his rookie season of 2001, Oswalt went 14-3 with an ERA of 2.73. During his rookie season of 2001, Oswalt went 14-3 with an ERA of 2.73. Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle Image 3 of 27 In 2002, Oswalt posted a 19-9 record with an ERA of 3.01. In 2002, Oswalt posted a 19-9 record with an ERA of 3.01. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 4 of 27 Hampered by injuries, Oswalt went 10-5 during the 2003 season. Hampered by injuries, Oswalt went 10-5 during the 2003 season. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 5 of 27 Image 6 of 27 In 2004, Oswalt helped lead the Astros to the NLCS as he notched his first 20-win season (20-10). In 2004, Oswalt helped lead the Astros to the NLCS as he notched his first 20-win season (20-10). Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 7 of 27 In 2005, Oswalt threw a career-high 241 2/3 innings striking out 184 batters on the way to his second consecutive 20-win season – the first Astro to do so since Joe Niekro in 1979–80. Oswalt was named MVP of the NLCS for his performance against the Cardinals. less In 2005, Oswalt threw a career-high 241 2/3 innings striking out 184 batters on the way to his second consecutive 20-win season – the first Astro to do so since Joe Niekro in 1979–80. Oswalt was named MVP ... more Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 8 of 27 Andy Pettitte hugs NLCS MVP Roy Oswalt as Roger Clemens looks on Game 6 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Andy Pettitte hugs NLCS MVP Roy Oswalt as Roger Clemens looks on Game 6 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 9 of 27 Oswalt took the ball in the Game 3 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park -- an epic 14-inning affair won by the Chicago White Sox. Chicago swept the series. Oswalt took the ball in the Game 3 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park -- an epic 14-inning affair won by the Chicago White Sox. Chicago swept the series. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 10 of 27 Image 11 of 27 Former Astros owner Drayton McLane gave Oswalt a bulldozer as a gift for his MVP performance in the NLCS. Former Astros owner Drayton McLane gave Oswalt a bulldozer as a gift for his MVP performance in the NLCS. Photo: Carlos Antonio Rios / Houston Chronicle Image 12 of 27 Roy Oswalt, left, and his daughter Arlee Faith Oswalt 1, both have a piece of his birthday cake as his wife Nicole cuts it during a press conference announcing his f-year, $73 million dollar contract extension on August 29, 2006, at Minute Maid Park. less Roy Oswalt, left, and his daughter Arlee Faith Oswalt 1, both have a piece of his birthday cake as his wife Nicole cuts it during a press conference announcing his f-year, $73 million dollar contract extension ... more Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle Image 13 of 27 Oswalt recorded his 1,000th career strikeout during the 2006 season, a year in which the righthander went 15-8. Oswalt finished his career with 1,852 Ks. Oswalt recorded his 1,000th career strikeout during the 2006 season, a year in which the righthander went 15-8. Oswalt finished his career with 1,852 Ks. Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle Image 14 of 27 In 2007, Oswalt went 14-7 in his final All-Star season. In 2007, Oswalt went 14-7 in his final All-Star season. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 15 of 27 Image 16 of 27 Oswalt was 17-10 in 2008, his last great season with the Astros. Oswalt was 17-10 in 2008, his last great season with the Astros. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 17 of 27 O's Bros, the fan club for Oswalt hold up their strikeout signs during an Oswalt outing on June 15, 2008. O's Bros, the fan club for Oswalt hold up their strikeout signs during an Oswalt outing on June 15, 2008. Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle Image 18 of 27 Roy Oswalt represented the United States along Derek Jeter in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Roy Oswalt represented the United States along Derek Jeter in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Photo: Mark Terrill / AP Image 19 of 27 Oswalt posted an 8-6 record in 2009. Oswalt posted an 8-6 record in 2009. Photo: Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle Image 20 of 27 Image 21 of 27 In 2010, Oswalt was 6-12 in 20 starts during his final campaign in Houston. In 2010, Oswalt was 6-12 in 20 starts during his final campaign in Houston. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 22 of 27 Oswalt was traded to the Phillies for J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers on July 29, 2010. Oswalt was traded to the Phillies for J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers on July 29, 2010. Photo: Kathy Kmonicek / Associated Press Image 23 of 27 Oswalt was 16-11 in his two seasons (2010, 2011) with the Phillies. Oswalt was 16-11 in his two seasons (2010, 2011) with the Phillies. Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle Image 24 of 27 Oswalt was 4-3 in nine starts with the Rangers during the 2012 season. Oswalt was 4-3 in nine starts with the Rangers during the 2012 season. Photo: Tim Sharp / Associated Press Image 25 of 27 Image 26 of 27 Oswalt was 0-6 with an ERA of 8.63 in 2013 with the Rockies. Oswalt was 0-6 with an ERA of 8.63 in 2013 with the Rockies. Photo: Barry Gutierrez / Associated Press Image 27 of 27 No longer an ace, Roy Oswalt retires 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

Roy Oswalt, arguably the greatest pitcher in Astros history, always took pride in being a top-of-the-rotation starter. He always wanted to be an ace, saw himself as an ace, and aspired to be the man teammates wanted on the mound when it mattered most.

Whether as a quiet rookie in 2001 or an ace in his prime on a staff that included Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte on the Astros’ greatest teams in 2004 and 2005, Oswalt made it clear he was the one worthy of the opening-day start.

The hard-throwing righthander never lost the small-town values or work ethic he developed on his grandfather’s watermelon farm in Weir, Miss. At 36, Oswalt still thinks he could compete in the majors. Competing, however, was never enough for the youngest son of Billy and Jean Oswalt.

Oswalt always wanted to dominate and lead the rotation. He no longer possesses that ability — last year he was 0-6 with an 8.63 ERA in nine appearances with the Colorado Rockies — so he is officially retiring to work with his longtime agent, Bob Garber, while also devoting time to his wife Nicole and their three daughters.

“I kind of thought that idea around for the last year,” Oswalt said of retiring. “I always told you that when I got to the point where I couldn’t be a top-of-the-line guy, I would retire. I didn’t want to go out there and just pad numbers.”

A win shy of team mark

Oswalt was 163-102 with a 3.36 ERA over 365 career games. He was a 20-game winner in 2004 and 2005 and led the National League with a 2.98 ERA in 2006. If he hadn’t been traded to the Phillies in July 2010, he would have finished as the Astros’ all-time leader in career victories. But he was traded one victory shy of Joe Niekro’s 144.

Regardless, he finished with a 143-82 record over 10 seasons with the Astros. Second in the 2001 National League Rookie of the Year race to Albert Pujols, Oswalt recorded the biggest victory in franchise history when he won Game 6 of the 2005 NL Championship Series against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium to send the Astros to their only World Series appearance.

He held St. Louis to one run and three hits over seven brilliant innings to win Game 6. He earned the 2005 NLCS MVP trophy by holding the Cardinals to two runs over 14 innings while winning Games 2 and 6.

“My No. 1 moment is pitching us to the World Series in 2005,” Oswalt said. “It was pretty special. It was the team that drafted me. To get them to the World Series was pretty special.”

Oswalt built a mansion in his hometown of Weir, but he gave that home to his parents after he moved to Starkville in 2010 so his three daughters could participate in more activities.

When not working as a player agent, he will devote his attention to daughters Arlee, 9, Ainslee, 6, and Aubree, 3. He’ll start coaching Arlee’s fast-pitch softball team this month.

Because Oswalt played most of his career in Houston and had his greatest success here, he plans to officially retire on a one-day contract with the Astros, along with former teammate Lance Berkman.

Christmas conversation

Oswalt called Berkman a few days before Christmas and asked his friend about his plans for 2014. When each said he was leaning toward retirement, Oswalt suggested they retire together as Astros.

“We actually got together at the first of the year and called the Astros to see if we could retire with them,” Oswalt said. “We wanted to retire together in Houston. I’m pumped.

“It means a lot. Houston drafted me and gave me a chance from the very beginning. You don’t see a lot of guys who are six-foot, 175 drafted to pitch. For them to give me a chance means a lot.”

Oswalt definitely deserves to take his rightful place at or near the top of the list of the Astros’ all-time great pitchers.