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 complete game 1-0 shutout, allowing five hits. 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.

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 Game 3 performance was a complete game 1-0 shutout with five hits allowed, not a no-hitter.
• 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.