1994 Houston Astros season

The 1994 Houston Astros season was the 33rd season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 30th as the Astros, 33rd in the National League (NL), first in the inaugural season of the NL Central division, and 30th at The Astrodome. The Astros entered the season with an 85–77 record, third-place finish in the NL West division, and 19 games behind the three-time defending division-champion Atlanta Braves.

The 1994 season was the first for Terry Collins as manager, the 12th in franchise history, succeeding Art Howe. On April 4, pitcher Pete Harnisch made his second Opening Day start for the Astros, who hosted the Montreal Expos and prevailed on a walk-off double, 6–5, in extra innings. During the amateur draft, the Astros received three first round picks, including catcher Ramón Castro at 17th overall, pitcher Scott Elarton (25th), and shortstop Russ Johnson (30th).

Five Astros represented the club for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game: first baseman Jeff Bagwell, second baseman Craig Biggio, third baseman Ken Caminiti, and pitchers Doug Drabek and John Hudek. For Biggio, it was the his third career selection, and the first for each of the remaining four.

The Astros finished the season with 66–49 record—just 1⁄2 game behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds—for their closest to first place since 1986. Houston also trailed Atlanta by 2+1⁄2 games for second place in MLB's first-ever Wild Card race. However, on August 12, all regular season games were suspended as a response to the players' strike, and the season was ultimately cancelled, removing nearly all of the final two months. The 1994 playoffs were cancelled as well, and the start of the 1995 season was delayed.

Prior to the strike, Bagwell set the major league record for fewest plate appearances to reach both 100 runs scored and 100 runs batted in (RBI)—leading the league in both categories (104 runs, 116 RBI). Bagwell also hit for the highest slugging percentage in the NL since 1925 (.750), ranked second in the NL in batting (.368), and third in home runs (39). Following the season, Bagwell became the fourth player to be unanimously selected for the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, and the first Astro to win an MVP. Bagwell and Biggio also became the first Astros to win both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards for their respective positions in the same season.