The 2017 World Series Champions: Houston Astr*s

Images via CNN

The past three season, the Houston Astros looked poised to turn their franchise into a true dynasty. In that time, they compiled a win-loss record of 311-175.

In the 2015 and 2016 seasons the Astros won 86 and 84 games 
respectively.

In 2017 the Astros added Ace right hander Justin Verlander to a star studded roster consisting of Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman. With the acquisition of Gerrit Cole in 2018, they were able to reach the World Series in two of three seasons, winning it all in former.

In 2018, they won 103 games but lost to the Boston Red Sox (4-1) in the American League Championship Series. This 
past season (2019), the Astros claimed 107 victories, reaching the
World Series once again but falling the Washington Nationals in seven
games. 

And soon after, it all came crashing down.

Mike Fiers, who pitched for the Astros during the 2015-2017 season, told The Athletic, that during the 2017 season, the Astros, secretly used a video camera positioned in centerfield to steal opposing team's signs.

The conclusion of the MLB's investigation resulted in the Astros being fined $5M and forfeiting both their first and second round picks in the 2020 and 2021 player drafts.

General Manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were terminated following year long suspensions. Alex Cora, manager of the Boston Red Sox in their 2018 season was also relieved of his duties. Carlos Beltran, entering his first season as the manager for the New York Mets, stepped down after being determined to be a key figure in the scandal.

I believe the Astros got off easy, the MLB should have included a post-season ban.
A punishment seen implemented by the NationalCollegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

In the end, nothing can be really done. The MLB can strip the title from the Astros, but it will always be etched in history. Adding an asterick is a meaningless gesture as well.

The accolades, trophies and World Series rings will always be there. Is the guilt and heavy conscience from the players the ultimate punishment?

#MLB #OneMission #TakeItBack #HoustonAstros #Astros #Yankees #PinstripePride
#NewYorkYankees #WorldSeries #Baseball #SignStealing #BostonRedSox
#JoseAltuve #CarlosBeltran #AlexCora #JustinVerlander #DallasKeuchel

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Ephraim Hernandez

BA in Journalism & Mass Communications;
New Mexico State University