1985 Houston Astros season

24th season in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros March 2026 November 2013 Houston Astros 1985 National League West The Astrodome Houston, Texas 83 79 y 3rd—tied John McMullen Al Rosen Dick Wagner Bob Lillis KTXHHSE KTRH(Gene Elston, Milo Hamilton, Larry Dierker, Jim Durham, Jerry Trupiano) The 1985 Houston Astros season was the 24th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 21st as the Astros, 24th in the National League (NL), 17th in the NL West division, and 21st at the Astrodome. The Astros entered the season as having tied for second place in the NL West with an 80–82 record and 12 games behind the division-champion and NL pennant-winning San Diego Padres. On April 5, Nolan Ryan made his second Opening Day start for Houston, who hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers and won, 2–1. In the amateur draft, Houston's first round selection was outfielder Cameron Drew at 12th overall. Knuckleball pitcher Joe Niekro earned his 200th win on July 2, and, on July 11, Ryan became the first pitcher to reach 4,000 career strikeouts. Left fielder José Cruz and Ryan each represented the Astros at the MLB All-Star Game and played for the National League. This was the second career selection for Cruz and seventh for Ryan. Cruz recorded his 2,000th career hit on September 15. In September, Dick Wagner became the ninth general manager in franchise history, replacing Al Rosen. The Astros concluded the season with an 83–79 record, tying for third place with San Diego in the NL West, and 12 games behind Los Angeles, the division-winners. Offseason December 3, 1984: Manuel Lee was drafted from the Astros by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1984 rule 5 draft.https://www.baseball-reference.com/l/leema02.shtml Manuel Lee stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 21, 2025 Regular season Summary Opening Day + Opening Day starting lineup Uniform Uniform number Player Position 10 Dickie Thon Shortstop 23 Enos Cabell First baseman 3 Phil Garner Third baseman 25 José Cruz Left fielder 28 Jerry Mumphrey Center fielder 21 Terry Puhl Right fielder 14 Alan Ashby Catcher 19 Bill Doran Second baseman 34 Nolan Ryan Pitcher Venue: Astrodome • Final: Houston 2, Los Angeles 1 Sources:https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=198504090HOU Los Angeles Dodgers (1) vs Houston Astros (2) box score Baseball Almanac April 9, 1985 September 25, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1985-uniform-numbers.shtml 1985 Houston Astros uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com September 25, 2025 On April 9, Houston celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Opening of the Astrodome, where they hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers and won, 2–1, in front of a crowd of 42,876. Nolan Ryan made his second Opening Day start for the Astros,https://www.mlb.com/astros/history/timeline Astros history – Timeline MLB.com August 28, 2025 opposite Fernando Valenzuela, as both hurlers sought to reestablish dominance. Ryan's full power had been usurped by injury—he was limited to 183 2 3 innings pitched, a 12–11 win–loss record and "only" 197 strikeouts—while Valenzuela slumped to a 12–17 record. The gala featured celebrities, events and guests. Micky Mantle, who hit the first-ever home run at Astrodome during an exhibition game with the New York Yankees on same date in 1965, was honored. Sprinter Carl Lewis tossed the ceremonial first pitch. It also featured the return of shortstop Dickie Thon after almost exactly one year, who had been ominously struck in the temple by a pitch from Mike Torrez, resulting in an orbital fracture and an absence for the remainder of the season.King Norm https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-9-1985-morganna-smooches-nolan-ryan-at-the-astrodome/ Morganna smooches Nolan Ryan at the Astrodome Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) April 9, 1985 December 28, 2025 One "guest" not invited onto the field was Morganna, dubbed "The Kissing Bandit," who leapt over the wall during the first inning and ran to the mound. Upon spotting her, Ryan obliged, taking to one knee with arms opened wide, and reportedly said, "Hurry up, Morganna! The cops are right behind you!" Morganna bent to kiss Ryan on the check, then zipped to Thon and gave him a peck as well, before reaching the Dodgers' dugout, where members of Houston's Finest awaited. After play resumed, the Dodgers opened the scoring during the top of the second inning. Mike Marshall doubled with one out, and Sid Bream singled him home. Ryan was unstoppable after that, retiring 16 of the next 17 batters faced prior to Frank DiPino taking over for the eighth. During the bottom of the third inning, Thon singled, advanced when Dodgers catcher Mike Scioscia threw wildly in a pickoff attempt, and scored to tie the game 1–1 when Phil Garner singled. The next inning, the Astros took the lead for good. Bill Doran doubled with one out. Ryan then hit a ground ball to second baseman Mariano Duncan, which Duncan misplayed, allowing Doran to race home for the go-ahead tally, 2–1, also the game's final score. May Astros infielder Jim Pankovits posted a career day on May 19, leading a 7–3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. He collected up four hits, including a home run and two doubles.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/19/24432914/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history—May 18–19 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 19, 2025 August 26, 2025 Ryan obtained his 200th complete game on May 24, a 6–2 defeat of the Cubs. On May 29, Pankovits broke 3-all tie by crushing a grand slam in the seventh versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Starter Nolan Ryan got the win, locking down a 7–3 decision for the Houston Astros.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/5/29/24439308/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - May 29 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation May 29, 2025 July 25, 2025 Each Astros starter had at least one hit, save for Terry Puhl. Denny Walling and Phil Garner both doubled. Ryan struck out eight over seven innings.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU198505290.shtml Pittsburgh Pirats (3) vs Houston Astros (8) box score Baseball-Reference.com May 29, 1985 December 6, 2025 June On June 9, Joe Niekro was the winning pitcher after tossing a two-hit shutout versus the San Francisco Giants. The 138th of his career, Niekro took over the lead in franchise history. In spite of the strong effort against the Giants, he had failed in six previous attempts to secure this win.Schwartzberg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/9/24445726/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 9 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 9, 2025 July 3, 2025 Southpaw Bob Knepper led an 8–1 rout of the Giants on June 29, driving in four runs while hurling a four-hit complete game. Knepper (8–4) also homered and struck out seven. Batterymate Mark Bailey also homered (5) and had three hits. Phil Garner tripled, pilfered a base and swatted a sacrifice fly.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN198506290.shtml Houston Astros (8) vs San Francisco Giants (1) box score Baseball-Reference.com June 29, 1985 March 14, 2026 This was Knepper's fourth home run as an Astro, while tying his career high in runs batted in.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/K/PX_knepb001.htm Top performances for Bob Knepper Retrosheet March 14, 2026 July Nolan Ryan surrendered the only walk-off home run of his career on July 1 at Jack Murphy Stadium. Pitching into extra innings for the first time as Astro with a 5–5 score, former Astros catcher Bruce Bochy hit the game-winner in the 10th inning.Friend Tom https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-07-02-sp-662-story.html Padres beat Astros in 10 innings, 6–5, on Bochy’s homer: Reserve catcher hits his third home run of season against former teammate Ryan Los Angeles Times July 2, 1985 October 19, 2026 It was also his first career walk-off home run.O'Neill Shawn https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/bruce-bochy-recalls-walk-off-homer-off-nolan-ryan Nolan Ryan allowed one walk-off HR: This legendary manager hit it MLB.com July 5, 2025 July 5, 2025 Niekro realized another victory milestone on July 2, earning the 200th overall of his career. Niekro tossed seven innings, and allowed two runs, four walks and six hits, while striking out seven. The final score was Houston 3, San Diego 2. Kevin Bass launched two solo home runs on July 5 to pace a 4–2 victory over the Montreal Expos. José Cruz drove home the other two runs to establish a new franchise record for runs batted in (783 RBI), later broken by Jeff Bagwell.Hulsey Bob https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/index.html This date in Astros history Astros Daily September 19, 2025 Nolan Ryan's 4,000th strikeout On July 11, Ryan fanned Danny Heep of the New York Mets in the top of the sixth inning for the 4,000th of his career. Ryan became the first pitcher in major league history to reach this milestone. He struck out 11 Mets in the outing before an Astrodome crowd of 30,921. The Astros won it, 4–3, in 12 innings on Bill Doran's fifth hit of the contest and walk-off single to score Dickie Thon.McLemore Ivy https://www.astrosdaily.com/players/Ryan_Nolan.html#:~:text=Player%20Profile%20%2D%20Nolan%20Ryan&text=A%20native%20of%20Refugio%2C%20Texas,records%20with%20the%20California%20Angels Ryan strikes out 11, sails past 4000 Houston Post Astros Daily July 11, 1985 November 28, 2025 280px|thumb|left|Nolan Ryan, 1983, became the first pitcher to reach 4,000 strikeouts. In the top of the fifth, Ryan froze Darryl Strawberry and Gary Carter on called punchouts for the final two outs of the frame, ticking his total up to 3,999. The moment prompted chants of "Ryan... Ryan... Ryan" from the fans. In the bottom of the sixth, Bass homered to give Houston a 3–1 advantage. However, in the seventh, the Mets, benefiting from Astros' defensive miscues, parlayed that into two unearned runs, eventually sending the contest into extra innings. Center fielder Ty Gainey made a long sprint for a Lenny Dykstra fly ball only to drop that for a two-base error. Keith Hernandez bounced a grounder to Ryan, but Ryan lost the battle in a rundown with Dykstra, who took third, while Hernandez glided into second on the play. Strawberry then smacked a sacrifice fly and Carter followed with a run-scoring single to tie the contest, 3–3. In the second inning, Ryan executed his trademark by whiffing Sid Fernandez and Rafael Santana. Carter and Heep followed with singles, and a wild pitch advanced both baserunners, presenting a chance for things to spiral. A bloop double by Howard Johnson plated New York's first run. Dykstra bounded out to second to stay the threat. Wildness returned for Ryan in the third, who walked the bases loaded via Fernandez, Strawberry and Carter. This time, he found a more expedient escape when Heep grounded into a double play. In the fourth, Ryan fanned Fernandez for the 3.997th of his career. In the bottom of the frame, Phil Garner singled and Glenn Davis also singled to score Garner and extend a hitting streak to six games. Dickie Thon batted to a 7-for-14 hike spanning his previous three games. Dave Smith (5–3) tossed the final three innings, all scoreless, to pick up the victory.Hohfeld Neil https://www.astrosdaily.com/players/Ryan_Nolan.html#:~:text=Player%20Profile%20%2D%20Nolan%20Ryan&text=A%20native%20of%20Refugio%2C%20Texas,records%20with%20the%20California%20Angels Ryan hits milestone as Astros top Mets Houston Chronicle July 11, 1985 November 28, 2025 In the 12th inning, Thon singled, and advanced on Smith's sacrifice hit. Doran followed with his fifth hit of the game to drive home Thon for a 4–3 Astros walk-off triumph. The five-hit game was the second of Doran's career,https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/D/PX_dorab001.htm Top performances for Bill Doran Retrosheet November 28, 2025 and the first by an Astro on the season. With that hit, Doran had collected eight hits in ten at bats. Ryan's 11 strikeouts represented a season high, putting him 96 ahead of Steve Carlton, who was on the disabled list (DL) at the time due to a rotator cuff strain. Rest of July José Cruz and Nolan Ryan were selected to the MLB All-Star Game as reserves for the National League, which was hosted at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.https://www.baseball-reference.com/allstar/1985-allstar-game.shtml N. L. All-Stars (6) vs A. L. All-Stars (1) box score Baseball Reference July 16, 1985 September 19, 2026 The Astros played to an eventful series against the Mets at Shea Stadium. On July 25, rookie slugger Glenn Davis smashed the only inside-the-park home run of his major league career, off Dwight Gooden in the top of the seventh.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=davisgl01&t=b Glenn Davis career home runs Baseball-Reference.com November 28, 2025 Gooden (15–3), in spite of yielding another bomb to catcher Mark Bailey polished off a masterful complete game performance which led New York to a 6–3 win. Errors by Baily and Jerry Mumphrey cost the Astros of a different outcome. Upstart hurler Mike Scott fell to 9–5. He yielded five runs in six innings, with two being earned. Scott's earned run average (ERA) stood at 2.80.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN198507250.shtml Houston Astros (3) vs New York Mets (6) box score Baseball-Reference.com July 25, 1985 November 28, 2025 On July 27, the Astros lost to the Mets, 16–4, despite not allowing a single earned run in the game.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN198507271.shtml Houston Astros at New York Mets box score and play by play July 27, 1985 Baseball-Reference.com August 5, 2010 On July 31, Mike Scott connected for his first major league home run while batting. The shot was off Tom Browning of the Cincinnati Reds during the top of the fifth inning at Riverfront Stadium.Mike Scott career batting home runs https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=scottmi03&t=b December 28, 2024 Baseball-Reference.com en On the mound, the Reds swatted 10 hits off the righty but Scott (10–5) limited the damage to two runs over seven frames to lead a 9–2 Houston victory. Rookie first baseman Glenn Davis paced the offense with his eighth home run of the year and drove in four. Catcher John Mizerock's first double cleared the bases in the top of sixth for Houston.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198507310.shtml Houston Astros (9) vs Cincinnati Reds (2) box score Baseball-Reference.com July 31, 1985 December 28, 2025 August The Astros romped on the Cardinals on August 20, 17–2, at the Astrodome to the backdrop of a screening of Jaws on the Diamond Vision scoreboard, representing a club-high in runs scored for the season.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1985-schedule-scores.shtml 1985 Houston Astros schedule Baseball-Reference.com December 6, 2025 Catcher Mark Bailey launched a grand slam while Dickie Thon added a triple, home run and 4 RBI to lead the 19-hit charge. Bailey, Glenn Davis and Terry Puhl collected three hits each, while both Bailey and Davis scored four runs. The Astros scored in each of the first six frames. Mike Scott (13–6) surrendered just three hits and two runs to cruise to victory.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU198508200.shtml St. Louis Cardinals (2) vs Houston Astros (17) box score Baseball-Reference.com August 26, 1985 November 22, 2025 Bailey's grand slam was his second of the season at the Astrodome, making him the first player to accomplish this feat. He also became just the fourth player to hit two or more grand slams in the Astrodome, succeeding Bob Watson on August 14, 1976.The next—and only other—player to hit two grand slams at the Astrodome in the same season was Tony Eusebio in 1995. This was the team's third grand slam at the Astrodome this season, also tying a club record set in 1970.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1965&year_max=1999&event=23&type=b&criteria29=game_site---HOU02&criteria72=rob---111 Batting event finder HOU:58 Home Runs in 1965-1999—123–at HOU, Astrodome Stathead Sport Reference August 29, 2026 September—October From September 11–19, Houston posted a season-high nine-game winning streak. José Cruz reached the 2,000 career hits plateau on September 15,Greene Nelson "Chip" https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-15-1985-jose-cruz-collects-his-2000th-hit/ September 15, 1985: José Cruz collects his 2,000th hit Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) October 1, 2018 November 4, 2025 to become the first player to do so in Astros' uniform.Kawahara Matt https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/houston-astros-jose-altuve-2000-mlb-hits-18304902.php Astros' Jose Altuve reaches milestone of 2,000 career hits Houston Chronicle August 19, 2023 January 1, 2026 His 1,702nd safety with Houston, Cruz' first 298 arrived as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cruzjo01.shtml José Cruz stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com January 1, 2026 The milestone hit, a single during the fourth inning off LaMarr Hoyt, drove home Denny Walling to tie the score, 1–1. In the bottom of the eighth, Glenn Davis cranked a tie-breaking home run which provided the margin in a 2–1 Astros triumph over the San Diego Padres.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU198509150.shtml San Diego Padres (1) Houston Astros (2) box score Baseball-Reference.com September 15, 1985 December 28, 2025 Davis' home run, his 15th, actuated another milestone that broke the club record for home runs by a rookie, set by Joe Morgan in 1965. Meanwhile, on September 15, in a deal with the New York Yankees, the Astros swapped veteran right-hander Joe Niekro for rookie southpaw Jim Deshaies. A knuckleball specialist, Niekro arrived in Houston in 1975, and won 144 games during his tenure with the Astros. In 1979 and 1980, Niekro became the first Astros hurler to win 20 or more games in two seasons,https://www.astrosdaily.com/players/Niekro_Joe.html Player profile—Joe Niekro Astros Daily February 23, 2026 earning both an All-Star selection, and The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year Award, during the former campaign.https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/tsn.shtml The Sporting News Pitchers of the Year & The Sporting News Major League Players of the Year Baseball-Reference.com August 30, 2025 Upon departing Houston, Niekro ranked either first or second in club history in games pitched, starts, wins, complete games, and shutouts. On October 5, catcher Alan Ashby slugged his second career grand slam, and first in an Astros uniform.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=ashbyal01&t=b Alan Ashby career home runs Baseball-Reference.com December 6, 2025 His drive came off Ed Wojna of the Padres in the top of the second to break a scoreless tie and cap a 9–3 Astros win. Each starter except leadoff hitter Bill Doran logged at least one hit, including pitcher Nolan Ryan, with two. José Cruz doubled and homered. Phil Garner had three hits and three runs scored. Ryan (10–12) cruised over 7 innings with seven hits, two runs allowed, and eight strikeouts to earn his 10th win on the penultimate day of the regular season.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN198510050.shtml Houston Astros (9) vs San Diego Padres (3) box score Baseball-Reference.com October 5, 1985 December 6, 2025 This was a 15th consecutive season Ryan had attained double-figures in victories.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanno01.shtml Nolan Ryan stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com December 6, 2025 Performance overview The Astros tied a club record set in 1970 by hitting three grand slams at the Astrodome.Tied again in 1989 and 1995, and surpassed in 1999 when the Astros hit four during the final season of the Astrodome First baseman Glenn Davis established a club record for rookies by hitting 20 home runs, doing so over 100 games played.Surpassed 14 home runs hit by Joe Morgan in 1965. Davis' record stood until Lance Berkman hit 21 home runs during the 2000 season. lower-alpha "Rookie HR"https://www.astrosdaily.com/players/Davis_Glenn.html Player profile—Glenn Davis Astros Daily November 9, 2025McTaggart Brian https://www.mlb.com/news/carlos-correa-sets-astros-rookie-homer-record/c-152925668 Astros, Correa enjoy record-setting night MLB.com October 2, 2015 November 9, 2025 Davis led the Astros in home runs though he ranked ninth in total appearances.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1985.shtml 1985 Houston Astros statistics Baseball-Reference.com November 9, 2025 League standings Record versus opponents National League border:1px solid #aaa HOU Notable transactions May 30, 1985: Signed Tony Eusebio as an international free agent.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eusebto01.shtml Tony Eusebio stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball Reference October 15, 2026 June 3, 1985: Mike Simms was drafted by the Astros in the 6th round of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft.https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/simmsmi01.shtml Mike Simms stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 21, 2025 June 12, 1985: Brad Gulden was purchased by the Houston Astros from the Cincinnati Reds.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guldebr01.shtml Brad Gulden stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com October 24, 2025 September 15, 1985: Joe Niekro was traded by the Astros to the New York Yankees for Jim Deshaies and players to be named later. The New York Yankees completed the deal by sending Neder Horta (minors) to the Astros on September 24 and Dody Rather (minors) to the Astros on January 11, 1986.https://www.baseball-reference.com/d/deshaji01.shtml Jim Deshaies stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com December 28, 2025 Roster 1985 Houston Astros Roster Pitchers 49 Jeff Calhoun 46 Bill Dawley 43 Jim Deshaies 11 Frank DiPino 31 Jeff Heathcock 37 Charlie Kerfeld 39 Bob Knepper 41 Mark Knudson 53 Mike Madden 42 Ron Mathis 36 Joe Niekro 47 Mark Ross 34 Nolan Ryan 33 Mike Scott 45 Dave Smith 52 Julio Solano Catchers 14 Alan Ashby  6 Mark Bailey  4 John Mizerock Infielders 23 Enos Cabell 27 Glenn Davis 19 Bill Doran  3 Phil Garner  1 Bert Peña 12 Craig Reynolds 23 Germán Rivera 16 Harry Spilman 10 Dickie Thon 29 Denny Walling Outfielders 17 Kevin Bass  9 Eric Bullock 25 José Cruz 24 Ty Gainey 22 Chris Jones 28 Jerry Mumphrey 20 Jim Pankovits 21 Terry Puhl 18 Tim Tolman Manager  5 Bob Lillis Coaches  2 Cot Deal (Outfield/Defensive Coordinator) 48 Matt Galante 43 Don Leppert 15 Denis Menke 54 Jerry Walker Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Mark Bailey Mark Bailey (baseball) 114 332 88 .265 10 45 1B Glenn Davis Glenn Davis (baseball) 100 350 95 .271 20 64 2B Bill Doran Bill Doran (second baseman) 148 578 166 .287 14 59 SS Craig Reynolds Craig Reynolds (baseball) 107 379 103 .272 4 32 3B Phil Garner 135 463 124 .268 6 51 LF José Cruz 141 544 163 .300 9 79 CF Kevin Bass 150 539 145 .269 16 68 RF Jerry Mumphrey 130 444 123 .277 8 61 Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Denny Walling 119 345 93 .270 7 45 Dickie Thon 84 251 63 .251 6 29 Terry Puhl 57 194 55 .284 2 23 Alan Ashby 65 189 53 .280 8 25 Jim Pankovits 75 172 42 .244 4 14 Enos Cabell 60 143 35 .245 2 14 Harry Spilman 44 66 9 .136 1 4 Tim Tolman 31 43 6 .140 2 8 John Mizerock 15 38 9 .237 0 6 Ty Gainey 13 37 6 .162 0 0 Germán Rivera 13 36 7 .194 0 2 Bert Peña 20 29 8 .276 0 4 Chris Jones 31 25 5 .200 0 1 Eric Bullock 18 25 7 .280 0 2 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Bob Knepper 37 241.0 15 13 3.55 131 Nolan Ryan 35 232.0 10 12 3.80 209 Mike Scott 36 221.2 18 8 3.29 137 Joe Niekro 32 213.0 9 12 3.72 117 Mark Knudson 2 11.0 0 2 9.00 4 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Ron Mathis 23 70.0 3 5 6.04 34 Jeff Heathcock 14 56.1 3 1 3.36 25 Charlie Kerfeld 11 44.1 4 2 4.06 30 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Dave Smith 64 9 5 27 2.27 40 Frank DiPino 54 3 7 6 4.03 49 Bill Dawley 49 5 3 2 3.56 48 Jeff Calhoun 44 2 5 4 2.54 47 Julio Solano 20 2 2 0 3.48 17 Mike Madden 13 0 0 0 4.26 16 Mark Ross 8 0 2 1 4.85 3 Jim Deshaies 2 0 0 0 0.00 2 Awards and achievements Grand slams No. Number hit by this team Date Astros batter Venue Inning Pitcher Opposing team Box Box score 1 May 29 Jim Pankovitsfirst 1st MLB grand slam Astrodome 7tiedlead Tied score or took lead John Candelaria Pittsburgh Pirates 2 June 11first Mark Bailey baseball 6 Craig Lefferts San Diego Padres 3 August 20 3 Ricky Horton St. Louis Cardinals 4 October 5 Alan Ashby Jack Murphy Stadium 2tiedlead Ed Wojna San Diego Padres Awards 1985 Houston Astros award winners Name of award Recipient Ref. References Baseball Digest Rookie All-Star First baseman Glenn Davis baseball Fred Hartman Long and Meritorious Service to BaseballPremier year for this award. lower-alpha "Houston-Area Major League Award" Donald Davidson 1 McTaggart Brian http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou Bourn highlights Astros' awards season December 21, 2009 MLB.com October 14, 2025 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101208131739/http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou December 8, 2010 Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bill Doran second baseman MLB All-Star Game Reserve outfielder José Cruz Reserve pitcher Nolan Ryan Topps All-Star Rookie Team First baseman Glenn Davis baseball Gonos David https://davidgonos.com/every-topps-all-star-rookie-cup-winner-in-baseball-card-history/ All Topps All-Star Rookie Cup winners in baseball card history DavidGonos.com January 30, 2025 September 19, 2026 Other awards results Name of award Voting recipient(s) (Team) Ref. References NL Most Valuable Player 1st—McGee (STL) • 21st—Cruz (HOU) Other Astros: 22nd—Doran https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1985.shtml 1985 awards voting Baseball-Reference.com June 6, 2026 NL Rookie of the Year 1st—Coleman (STL) • 5th—G. Davis (HOU) League leaders NL pitching leaders Wild pitches: Joe Niekro (21—led MLB) Minor league system Minor League Baseball AAA Tucson Toros Pacific Coast League Jimmy Johnson AA Columbus Astros Southern League Carlos Alfonso A Osceola Astros Florida State League Dave Cripe A Asheville Tourists South Atlantic League Fred Hatfield A-Short Season Auburn Astros New York–Penn League Bob Hartsfield Rookie GCL Astros Gulf Coast League Julio Linares See also Texas Baseball List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders List of Major League Baseball individual streaks Notes References External links 1985 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference Category:Houston Astros seasons Houston Astros season Houston