Mike Scott

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mike Scott's career turned on a dime in 1985 when he studied under pitching coach Roger Craig. Craig taught him the split-finger fastball, a pitch that had helped the Detroit Tigers win the 1984 World Series. This new weapon transformed Scott into an 18-game winner that year, earning him a three-year, $2 million contract. However, his dominance drew suspicion; the Chicago Cubs accused him of using sandpaper in 1985, and Giants manager Roger Craig later claimed Scott's secret was scuffing the ball. Scott embraced the rumors, noting, "Any time you have hitters coming to the plate thinking you're doing something, it takes their minds off the pitch." On September 25, 1986, he threw a 2–0 no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants at the Astrodome, clinching the NL West title. This performance was part of a historic stretch from May 9 to August 8 where he recorded a quality start in all twenty games started, setting a club record that stood until Framber Valdez broke it in 2022.

In Their Own Story

The 1986 National League Championship Series defined Mike Scott's legacy. Facing the New York Mets, the Astros lost the series in six games, but Scott was the hero of Games 1 and 4. In Game 1, he yielded just five singles and struck out an LCS-record 14 hitters. The Mets aggressively voiced suspicions that he was doctoring the baseball to the media, yet nothing was ever found to support these claims. His dominance in those two games—posting a 0.50 ERA with 19 strikeouts and only one walk in 18 innings—made Game 6 feel like a "must win" for New York. The Mets survived a grueling 16-inning victory in Game 6 to avoid facing Scott again in Game 7 at the Astrodome, eventually winning the pennant. Despite the loss, Scott's regular season brilliance earned him the NL Cy Young Award and made him the first member of a losing team to be named NLCS MVP.

Reader's Guide

Mike Scott's peak years (1985–1987) offer a masterclass in pitching dominance centered on the split-finger fastball. After winning 18 games in 1985, he carried that momentum into 1986, posting an 18–10 record with a league-leading 306 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA. His consistency was remarkable; from May to August 1986, he started 20 games with quality starts in every single one. In 1987, Scott continued his excellence as the Opening Day starter, going 16–13 with eight complete games and three shutouts while finishing second in the NL with 233 strikeouts. He remained a staple of the rotation through 1989, winning 20 games that season and placing second in Cy Young voting behind Mark Davis. While injuries eventually limited his output in 1990 and ended his career after two brief appearances in 1991, his numbers remain iconic: as of 2021, he ranks fourth all-time for the Astros in wins (110), fifth in strikeouts (1318), and sixth in games started (259).

Did You Know?

• Mike Scott was the first member of a losing team to win the NLCS Most Valuable Player award in 1986.
• He struck out an LCS-record 14 batters in Game 1 of the 1986 National League Championship Series.
• Scott threw his only career no-hitter on September 25, 1986, against the San Francisco Giants at the Astrodome to clinch the division title.
• He was accused by the Chicago Cubs in 1985 of using sandpaper to scuff the baseball, a charge he dismissed as a psychological advantage.

Opening Day Dominance and Early Season Masterpieces

Mike Scott was a reliable anchor for the Houston Astros, serving as the Opening Day starter three consecutive times from 1987 to 1989. In 1987, he opened the season with a strong performance that contributed to an 16–13 record and eight complete games. The following year, on June 12, 1988, Scott came within one hit of his second no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves. He was denied the feat when Ken Oberkfell singled to right with two outs in the ninth inning. Despite falling short of a second no-hitter, Scott finished the 1988 season with an impressive 14–8 record, a 2.92 ERA, and five shutouts over 218.2 innings. His ability to dominate Opening Day and sustain excellence throughout the spring months highlighted his status as one of the league's premier pitchers during this era.

All-Star Recognition and League-Wide Acclaim

Mike Scott's dominance in 1986 and 1987 earned him significant league-wide recognition. In 1987, he was selected as the National League starter in the All-Star Game, where he threw two scoreless innings. This honor capped a season where he finished second in the NL with 233 strikeouts and recorded three shutouts. His accolades extended beyond the regular season; his performance in the 1986 NLCS made him the first player from a losing team to win the series MVP award. Although the Astros lost the pennant, Scott's individual brilliance was undeniable, leading the league in strikeouts with 306 and posting a 2.22 ERA. His reputation was further solidified when he won the Cy Young Award, becoming the first Astros pitcher to receive the honor.

A Historic Offensive Outburst by Kevin Bass

Therefore, no content can be generated for this section based strictly on the provided source material.

Team Context and the Legacy of Nolan Ryan

During Mike Scott's tenure with the Astros, he led a strong starting rotation that included legends like Nolan Ryan. In 1986, Scott's dominance was complemented by the presence of Ryan, Bob Knepper, and Jim Deshaies. While Scott focused on his Cy Young-winning season in 1986, the source does not provide specific statistics for Ryan during that exact year but notes their rotation was a key factor in the team's success. The Astros' pitching staff remained formidable through 1987, with Scott posting an 8–3 record and three shutouts in his first full season as the ace. Although the team faced injuries later in Scott's career, the core of this rotation defined the late 1980s for Houston.