HOUSTON -- TRISTAR Productions, Inc. featured a reunion of several members of the 1986 Houston Astros squad this past weekend as part of its annual winter show at Reliant Arena in Houston.
Hall of Fame icon Nolan Ryan joined Alan Ashby, Kevin Bass, Jeff Calhoun, Jose Cruz Sr., Danny Darwin, Glenn Davis, Jim Deshaies, Bill Doran, Phil Garner, Jim Pankovits, Terry Puhl, Billy Hatcher, Bob Knepper, Dickie Thon, Craig Reynolds and 1986 NL Cy Young Award winner Mike Scott on the standout guest list.
Hal Lanier, the 1986 NL Manager of the Year, was also on hand.
The show marked a special occasion for the ex-teammates to reunite and reminisce about the ballclub's unforgettable 1986 season.
Houston clinched the 1986 NL West division title on Sept. 25, thanks in part to a no-hitter by Scott against the Giants at the Astrodome.
Ultimately, the Astros fell to the New York Mets in the 1986 NLCS, four games to two, in one of the greatest all-time MLB playoff series.
It's the lone playoff series in MLB history featuring a matchup of expansion teams that had begun play in the same season (1962).
Scott shined by going the distance in Game 1 and Game 4, holding the Mets to just one run and seven hits over the 18-inning span.
Mets great Keith Hernandez often says it was necessary for New York to win Game 6 in order to avoid Scott in a decisive Game 7.
In one of the greatest games in MLB history, the Mets scored three runs in the top of the ninth to tie Game 6 and send it to extra innings.
Wally Backman singled off reliever Aurelio Lopez in the top of the 14th to give New York a 4-3 lead, but Hatcher blasted a game-tying solo homer off Jesse Orosco that bounced off the left-field foul pole.
Third baseman Ray Knight put the Mets up 5-4 with an RBI single in the top of the 16th that opened the door to a three-run frame.
Calhoun replaced Lopez and threw two wild pitches.
Knight scored on one of those pitches before Lenny Dykstra put New York up by three runs on an RBI single that scored Backman.
Although the Astros rallied for two runs in the bottom half, the Mets escaped with a nail-biting 7-6 victory to advance to the World Series.
New York defeated Boston to win the championship.
Despite falling short of playing in the World Series, the 1986 season remains one of the most historical in Houston Astros' history.
Several members of the 1986 Astros told Examiner.com what they remember most about that season a little over 25 years later.
Nolan Ryan:
"It's real neat to get back and see a lot of the teammates you haven't seen in a long time. It brings back fond memories. It's always special when you get a chance like this. The makeup of the club was really good. It reflected in the way we played. We went up against the New York Mets, who I thought were the best ballclub in the National League the second half of that season.
"We competed well."
Kevin Bass:
"I remember a lot about that year. What I remember most is the effect it had on Houston. The city was totally behind the team. The series itself was phenomenal. It has gone down as one of the greatest ever. Game 6 was one of the best ever. That year was special. There were highs and lows, as well as great-pitched games. Mike Scott was absolutely incredible in 1986.
"He was feared by the Mets. We had a great pitching staff. I think we clinched the NL West division with a week left in the season. The team camaraderie was great. We had a really solid unit."
Jeff Calhoun:
"The 1986 season was a special year. It was the type of team that found a way to win. We had some special players, but it was a team in which on any given night, somebody stepped up and won a game for us. That is the great thing about a championship year. It all comes together when all the guys contribute."
Jose Cruz:
"I remember the 1986 playoff series against the New York Mets, especially the last game we lost. It was tough, but it's part of the game. I'm thrilled to see my old teammates. It is special to me."
Glenn Davis:
"It was an exciting and wonderful season. It was one of those times in baseball where everything seemed to click. We had great chemistry. It was just a good bunch of guys. We were winners and always came to the ballpark ready to play. No matter what, we always came back the following day with the right attitude."
Jim Deshaies:
"It's probably a cliché, but I remember my teammates and the camaraderie. We had a great bunch of guys. They were fun to be teammates with, even in the years where we didn't win. In 1986, we won the NL West division in a season in which it wasn't expected for us to do so. That made it more special. It was my first full year in the majors. I remember the caliber of guys we had."
Bill Doran:
"Generally, I remember the fondness I had for everyone. It wasn't just the players. The front office and the people that worked at the ballpark were great. Houston is an incredible place to play."
Phil Garner:
"What I remember most is the 16-inning game. That was one of the greatest games ever played. It's funny, because I can't remember if I was on the field for the final out of Mike Scott's no-hitter that clinched. It was an exciting season all the way around. Scott had a great year. He pitched as well as anyone could have.
"We all had a great year."
Billy Hatcher:
"It was a great bunch of guys. Friendships last forever. With those guys, we still get a chance to talk. I'll never forget that season."
Bob Knepper:
"The team was filled with great guys. We enjoyed each other. My greatest memory will always be the relationships with the players. I pitched for Houston in an era in which the Astros developed a winning team. I'm very thankful for the positive affects those teams had on my life, especially being around quality people."
Hal Lanier:
"I remember all of the players. It was my first year to manage in the major leagues. I was fortunate to have had that group of players. It worked out that we won the NL West. We were picked dead last. Nobody thought we had any shot at winning the NL West. We went 96-66. I am happy to be able to come back to Houston and see several of the guys I had a chance to manage.
"This will always be a special group to me."
Jim Pankovits:
"I remember how close the team was. All of the associations and friendships that we made that have lasted over the years prove what a tight-niche team we were. We had a lot of fun that year."
Mike Scott:
"I will never forget when we clinched the NL West on my no-hitter. I also remember when the Mets got the last out on us in Game 6 of the NLCS to beat us. It did not even cross my mind that our season would be done until that happened. It kind of just hit me. I never considered that. It was day-by-day with the attitude of, 'Let's go beat these guys and go play in the World Series.'
"That hit pretty hard."
Dickie Thon:
"It was a very close and focused ballclub. Once we started to win, we knew we had a team capable of going all the way. It was a special feeling knowing that each time we went to the ballpark, we had a good chance of winning. I will never forget that."
-To view the 1986 Astros reunion slideshow, click here.
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