It’s going down as one of the hardest fought, most thrilling World Series of all time, and Houston is celebrating. Fireworks and loud cheers lit up the city Wednesday night, as the Astros claimed their first World Series title in franchise history, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7, 5-1.
CNN reports, “Houston started the game off fast, scoring all of its five runs in the first two innings off Dodgers starter Yu Darvish. The early run support was all the Astros needed.”
“We’re coming home a champion, Houston,” George Springer said after accepting the World Series MVP trophy named this year for Willie Mays.
The now famous Sports Illustrated cover of 2014, after Houston had lost more than 100 games for three straight years, proclaimed: “Your 2017 World Series Champs.” It featured a picture of Springer in a bright Astros jersey.
“The Astros hit rock bottom, and then some, before beginning one of the best turnarounds in memory,” notes CBSSports.com.
And turnaround, they did. Playing for a city still recovering from Hurricane Harvey and wearing an “H Strong” logo on their jerseys, the Astros brought home the prize that had eluded them since they started out in 1962 as the Colt .45s.
“I always believed that we could make it,” All-Star slugger Jose Altuve said. “We did this for them,” referring to Houston fans who recently endured the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
It was Altuve’s first World Series – a man who was once told he would never make it to the major leagues. Answering all his critics, Altuve is now on the big stage. At 5’6” he plays in front of millions of fans and he gives all the glory to God.
“To achieve success wasn’t to get into the major leagues or have the best season in the world. The best success is to live your life the way God wants you to,” he told The Houston Chronicle.
“If you can do that, if you can be good with God, then I think you will have success in your life.”
“We need to not just ask God but thank Him for everything like our health, our family. And ask Him to bless our homes and to always be present in our daily lives. And to keep us safe is most important,” Altuve continued.
Altuve credits his family, not only for believing in him, but for giving him the ultimate gift – his faith in God.
“I grew up in a family that always believed in God. And I feel like every morning when you wake up you have to thank Him just for another day. I do it every day,” he told CBN Sports.
Another highlight from the evening was watching Star shortstop Carlos Correa turn the celebration party into a proposal. After doing a TV interview, he got down on one knee and asked girlfriend Daniella Rodriguez, a former Miss Texas USA, to marry him. “You make me the happiest man in the world,” he said, putting a ring on her finger as she cried. As you might guess, she said “Yes.”
There’s much to celebrate in a city that just two months ago was devastated by historical flooding from Hurricane Harvey. But as many of us know, it’s often the hardest times of life, that can lead to the greatest blessings down the road. Houston found its “strong” in the midst of struggle. It stood together, supported one another, and though still recovering, is standing strong today.
It’s a city now known as “Houston Strong.” It certainly has become that, and more.
“This team loves playing in Houston,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said, “and we’re going to love bringing this World Series trophy back to Houston.”
To read more by Debbie McDaniel visit www.debbiemcdaniel.com, https://www.facebook.com/
Photo: The Houston Astros celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in game seven to win the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo courtesy: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Publication date: November 2, 2017
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