C.: d.c, why did you print a picture of a tombstone at the beginning of the blog?! I know the Astros lost last night, but it’s only one game! They could still come back and win
the World Series. What do you always say, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over?!”
d.: Actualy, Cal.E., that's a direct quote from Yogi Berra. He also said, “75% of the things people say I said, 90% of them I never said.” It would take a degree in advanced math to figure out what that means.
No, Cal.E., I haven’t lost faith in my favorite team. You didn’t live in Houston in 2005, so you don’t know the story behind the tombstone.
C.: I’d love to hear it, if there’s time.
d.: Maybe not, but I’ll make time. IN 2004, the Astros went to the NLCS and lost, even though they may have had the superior team. Everyone in Houston was excited when the 2005 season started. We all expected the Astros to go to the World Series. In mid-June, the Astros were in last place in the NL Central—
C.: Wait just a fleapickin’ minute. The Astros are in the American League, not the National League, d.c. I think you’re confused.
d.: They are now. The Astros started their existence in 1962 as a National League expansion team. Until realignment, they were in the National League.
C.: Okay, got it. Continue, please.
d.: In Mid-June, The Houston Chronicle printed a picture of a tombstone in their sports section, indicating the Astros’ season was over.
C.: Was it?
d.: No, the Astros caught fire, winning 15 games in a row. They then went to the playoffs and won the National League pennant. They represented the National League in the World Series that year.
C.: Did they win the World Series?
d.: No, they got swept by the Chicago White Sox in four games, but it was the first time that a team from Houston had been to the World Series. Many Houstonians attributed their incredible run and subsequent entry into the World Series to the Chronicle printing the tombstone in their sports section in mid-June that year.
When the Astros switched Leagues and went to and won the World Series in 2017, they became the first and, so far, only team to represent each league of Major League Baseball in the World Series.
C.: I see. So, I think what I need to say now is:
LET’S GO ASTROS!!!
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