Roger Clemens NL Cy Young (1987)
The Rocket's explosive debut season that delivered Houston its second Cy Young Award in 2004.
Signed as a free agent in January 2004, Clemens immediately transformed into an ace for the Astros, leading them to the National League Championship Series while dominating the competition with elite strikeout numbers and a low earned run average.
Quick Facts
- Award
- NL Cy Young Award (2004)
Lore & Background
He posted an 18-4 record with a 2.98 ERA, but it was his sheer volume of strikeouts that defined his campaign. His performance was instrumental in the Astros finishing second in the NL Central, securing a Wild Card berth and their fifth postseason appearance in six years. This award validated his status as an elite pitcher and cemented his legacy with the organization.
Reader's Guide
This victory was historic as it marked the first time an Astros pitcher ever received the league's top pitching honor. His dominance helped propel the team to their first-ever playoff appearance, finishing second in the tough NL West division behind San Francisco. The award recognized his ability to overcome previous control struggles and deliver elite performance under pressure. Clemens set a new franchise standard for strikeouts in a single season, a record that stood for many years before eventually being surpassed by other future legends of the club.
Did You Know?
- Roger Clemens is one of two Houston Astros pitchers to win the National League Cy Young Award; Mike Scott won it in 1986, and Clemens won it in 2004.
- The Astros' first-ever postseason appearance was in 1980, not 2004.
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