Mike Scott NL Cy Young (1986)

Lore & Background

The crowning jewel of his campaign was not just the regular season stats, but his postseason heroics. In Game 3 of the NLCS against the New York Mets, Scott threw a no-hitter, the first and only no-hitter in postseason history until Roy Halladay's no-hitter in 2010. Although the Astros ultimately fell to the Mets in the NLCS, Scott's individual accolade stands as the first Cy Young Award ever won by an Astro pitcher, cementing his legacy.

In Their Own Story

The Astrodome hummed with a low vibration, the artificial turf cool under cleats. It was October 1986, and Mike Scott stood on the mound, adjusting his cap. The lights above cast long shadows across the diamond as he wound up for the final pitch of his no-hitter against the Mets. For a moment, the noise faded; there was only the crack of the bat or the sound of the mitt snapping shut. He knew history was being written in that dome.

Reader's Guide

1986 NL Cy Young Award: Mike Scott secured this prestigious honor after leading the National League in ERA (2.02) and posting a 19-7 win-loss record. This victory marked the first time an Astros pitcher had ever won the award, signifying a new era of pitching excellence for Houston. 1986 NLCS No-Hitter: During Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets, Scott threw a perfect no-hitter to help force a Game 7. This performance remains one of the most iconic moments in Astros playoff history and showcased his ability under immense pressure.

Did You Know?

• Mike Scott was nicknamed "The Scorpion" because of his distinctive side-arm delivery that scurched across the plate.
• His 1986 NLCS no-hitter was the first and only no-hitter in postseason history until Roy Halladay's in 2010.
• Scott was the first Astro to win a Cy Young Award, but not the only one: Roger Clemens won in 2004 and 2005, and Dallas Keuchel won in 2015.