1992 Houston Astros season

The 1992 Houston Astros season was the 31st season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 28th as the Astros, 31st in the National League (NL), 24th in the NL West division, and 28th at the Astrodome, The Astros entered the season with a 65–97 record and in last place in the NL West, 29 games behind the division-champion and NL pennant-winning Atlanta Braves.

The season began for Houston on April 7 in which they hosted Atlanta, but were defeated, 2–0. Pete Harnisch was the Astros' Opening Day starting pitcher. The Astros' first-round draft pick in the amateur draft was third baseman Phil Nevin, at first overall. Nevin was the Astros' second number-one overall pick, following Floyd Bannister in 1976.

Pitcher Doug Jones and second baseman Craig Biggio represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game, This was the third career selection for Jones, and second for Biggio, who was previously selected as a catcher. Broadcaster Milo Hamilton, who began calling games for the Astros in 1985, was recognized for his work with the Ford C. Frick Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Astros also retired the uniform numbers of outfielder José Cruz and right-handed pitcher Mike Scott.

Due to the Republican National Convention being hosted at the Astrodome from August 17–20, the Astros played 26 consecutive road games from July 27 through August 23, going 12–14 on the road trip. The club played in all National League cities except Montreal, New York City, and Pittsburgh.

In their first game back at The Astrodome on August 25 following the 28-day road trip, shortstop Andújar Cedeño hit for the cycle, the fourth in club history. The Astros won 25 of their final 38 games following the long road trip to finish at .500 (81–81), in fourth place in the NL West and 17 games behind the Braves, who repeated as division champions and NL pennant winners. This represented a 16-game improvement from the year prior for Houston. Hence, the 1992 season was the start of the longest period of consistent regular-season success in franchise history, where they finished at .500 or above in each of 15 of 17 seasons through 2008, and made the playoffs six times.

Following the season, Doug Jones was recognized with The Sporting News NL Fireman of the Year Award.^[a]

• December 10, 1991: Kenny Lofton and Dave Rohde were traded by the Astros to the Cleveland Indians for Willie Blair and Eddie Taubensee.^[1]
• January 27, 1992: Joe Boever was signed as a free agent by the Astros.^[2]
• January 27, 1992: Ernest Riles was signed as a free agent by the Astros.^[3]
• January 27, 1992: Denny Walling was signed as a free agent by the Astros.^[4]

The Astros launched their 1992 campaign on April 7 by hosting the Atlanta Braves, the previous year's division champions, who pitted reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Tom Glavine against Houston's emerging ace, Pete Harnisch in his first Opening Day start. All-time in Opening Day meetings the Braves were 0–5 against Houston; moreover, in his career, Glavine had never won a start in 13 outings against Houston. However, Glavine was dominant this time, hurling a two-hit shutout as he changed speeds and location to keep the Astros off balance and better Harnish in a 2–0 pitchers' duel in front of 34,761 in attendance.^[b] Glavine, also the reigning Silver Slugger winner, singled in the top of the eighth inning to start a decisive rally for Atlanta.^[7]

First baseman Jeff Bagwell came off the bench on May 10 to deliver two home runs, including one in an extra innings. He hit the decisive blow in the 10th inning for a 6–4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.^[8]

On June 14, outfielder Pete Incaviglia tied the club record with 7 runs batted in (RBI) to lead a 15–7 victory over the San Francisco Giants. He homered twice and hit a run-scoring double.^[9] Incaviglia's performance equaled infielder Rafael Ramírez' effort on August 29, 1989, in which the Chicago Cubs came all the way back from a 9–0 deficit to claim victory, 10–9, in the tenth inning.^[10]

The Astros' Jones duo of Jimmy and Doug combined to deliver a 1–0 shutout of the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 20. Jimmy tossed the first 8 innings to earn the win, while Doug closed the final three outs for the save.^[11] On June 21, Butch Henry and Doug Jones combined on another shutout of Los Angeles, en route to 2–0 win and series sweep. The two contests were the last of 20 consecutive innings in which Houston held Los Angeles scoreless. Incaviglia's two-run home run accounted for all the scoring in the game.^[12] On June 28, with the Dodgers hosting the Astros, the Landers earthquake in nearly San Bernardino County struck in the morning of the game. The Astros lost, 8–2. Meanwhile, Ken Caminiti led the Astros with four hits.^[13]

Closer Doug Jones and second baseman Craig Biggio were selected to the MLB All-Star Game, which was hosted at Jack Murphy Stadium. It was the third career selection for Jones, and second for Biggio, who was also selected to the previous year's All-Star Game as a catcher. Biggio became the first player ever to make the All-Star team at both positions.^[14]

During the bottom of the 12th inning on July 21, Juan Guerrero swatted a Roger Mason offering for a walk-off home run to stun the Pirates, 4–3. This remained the lone home run of Guerrero's major league career.^[10] Prior to Guerrero's heroics, the Astros rallied for three runs during the bottom of the ninth, capped by a double to left by Pete Incaviglia and two sacrifice flies. Doug Jones (7–6) earned the victory by closing out the final two frames.^[15]

The Republican National Convention was held at the Astrodome from August 17–20; however, a total of three weeks was required or preparation. As a result, the Astros played 26 games in a span of 28 days on the road.^[16]

In their first game back at The Astrodome on August 25 following the 28-day road trip, shortstop Andújar Cedeño hit for the cycle, the fourth in club history. With the Astros hosting the St. Louis Cardinals, Cedeño's first hit was a triple, he homered in the seventh inning, doubled in the 11th inning and got the single off Les Smith in the 13th inning. It was the first cycle for an Astros player since Bob Watson accomplished the feat on June 24, 1977.^[17] The final cycle hit at the Astrodome,^[18] the next Astros cycle after Cedeño was by teammate Jeff Bagwell on July 18, 2001 at Enron Field.^[c][17]

On October 3, 1992, the team officially retired the uniform numbers of outfielder José Cruz and right-handed starting pitcher Mike Scott, also former teammates.^[19] Both players were key figures during the Astros' playoff run in 1986, at the time, the club's most recent.

During his career with the Astros, Scott accumulated the most regular-season outings with a game score of 90 or higher in club history (6).^[d][20] In the 1986 playoffs, Scott tossed one other such outing.^{[e][f][21][22]}

Cruz retired as the franchise leader in numerous categories—many of which would be passed by Biggio—including games played (1,870), runs scored (871), hits (1,937), total bases (2,846), RBI (842), singles (1,384), times on base (2,670), and intentional base on balls (123), among others. Cruz remains the club leader in triples (80),^[g][23] walk-off home runs (six),^[24] and the NL record-holder with eight bases-loaded triples—all with Houston—and tied for the Major League record with Shano Collins in the American League. (Steve Finley would eventually tie the Major League record.)^[25] Through each of Houston's first nine playoff runs, Cruz remained an on-field presence: the first three as a player (1980, 1981, and 1986) and as a coach during the next six (1997–1999, 2001, 2004, and 2005).^[26]

The Astros concluded the 1992 campaign with a final record of 81–81, in fourth place, and 17 games trailing the first-place Atlanta Braves, an overall improvement of 16 wins from the year before. The 1992 season also initiated an era of unprecedented success and consistency for the club, as they continued to assemble a regular season record of .500 or higher on 15 occasions over a span of the next 17 seasons through 2008, while qualifying for six playoff appearances. It was also the first of eight successive campaigns each with a winning percentage of .500 or more through 1999, an achievement ultimately establishing a club record.^[27]

The Astros won six games via walk-off home runs, the most of any MLB team in 1992. Two were hit by Bagwell, which tied for second in the majors with three others.^[h][28]

Doug Jones established the club single-season record for saves with 36,^[14] which passed Dave Smith, who set the previous record in 1986 with 33. This remained the club record until Billy Wagner converted 39 saves in 1999.^[i][29]

• April 2, 1992: Curt Schilling was traded by the Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jason Grimsley.^[30]

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Career honors

• Houston Astros uniform numbers retired:^[19]
  • José Cruz, outfielder: No. 25 • In Houston 1975–1987 • 1,870 games • 2× MLB All-Star^[32]
  • Mike Scott, pitcher: No. 33 • In Houston 1983–1991 • 263 games • 3× MLB All-Star^[33]

Annual awards

• Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball:^[34] Bob Green
• Houston-Area Major League Player of the Year:^[34] Roger Clemens (BOS)
• Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award:^[34] Doug Jones
• MLB All-Star Game:^[14]
  • Reserve pitcher—Doug Jones
  • Reserve infielder—Craig Biggio
• National League (NL) Player of the Week^[35]
  • June 28—Ken Caminiti
  • October 4—Steve Finley
• The Sporting News NL Fireman of the Year:^[36][a] Doug Jones^[j]

NL batting leaders

• Games played: 162—tied
  • Jeff Bagwell
  • Craig Biggio
  • Steve Finley
• Plate appearances: Craig Biggio (721)
• Sacrifice flies: Jeff Bagwell (13—led MLB)

NL pitching leaders

• Games finished: Doug Jones (70—led MLB)
• Games played: Joe Boever (81—led MLB)

• List of Major League Baseball retired numbers
• List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle

• 1992 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference