Larry Dierker had a storied career pitching for the Houston Astros, with high points that included outdueling Sandy Koufax when he was only 19 years old. In 1997, the Astros tapped him to manage, despite his lack of managerial experience. The team went on to win the NL division title that year and the next, but didn’t make it further either year.

Astros fans had high hopes for going all the way in 1999 — the last year for the Houston Astrodome. But hope gave way to uncertainty on June 13, when Dierker suffered a mid-game seizure and underwent brain surgery days later. Fortunately, the prognosis turned positive quickly leading to a collective sigh of relief. Remarkably, he made a triumphant return to the helm only a month later.

Buoyed by Dierker’s return, the Astros played to a photo finish and took their third division division in a row, earning Dierker a place in the managerial record book.