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Always Houston Strong
There is a lot to love about this team and the way they play the game; offensively, there’s no team scarier, and they have a certain joy that’s perfectly encapsulated in Altuve and Correa’s post-homer handshakes. However, the real heart and soul of the team is the city rooting for them.
When Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on August 25, there was simply no preparing for the amount of devastation the storm would bring. For four days, the south of Texas was showered with heavy rains, with as much as 60 inches of water falling on the region. Tens of thousands of Houston residents were displaced or lost their homes.
However, the legacy of Hurricane Harvey isn’t just that of destruction and loss, but of compassion and strength. While many watched in horror, so many in the city jumped into action. People with trucks or even boats were out navigating flood waters, rescuing anyone they could. A network of communications was connected by churches and community groups, quickly finding those who could help with those who needed aid. Shelters popped up anywhere dry enough to hold goods, while makeshift kitchens made thousands of meals for both volunteers and the displaced. When the waters rescinded, volunteers spent weeks helping with demolition and clean up work. Simply put, Harvey could not stop Houston.
The Astros were on a road trip when the hurricane hit, and have since spoken about fearfully watching the news while thinking of their families, neighbors, and fans struggling back home. Unfortunately for players like Carlos Correa and Carlos Beltran, that pain was doubled when Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria less than a month later. Like the city of Houston, this team is resilient and strong. A week after the hurricane, the Astros returned home to face a different Harvey on the Mets; from that game on, the team began wearing a Houston Strong patch on their uniforms, and they swept their next two series.
Many Astros fans have a lot more important things going on than beisbol, and many may not even be able to watch these games. We try to elevate sports, hoping that the outcomes fit a narrative of uplifting success. An Astros win in the World Series would be a capstone on a season of devastation. While the team stands behind those affected by Harvey, the city stands behind the team’s rise to the Fall Classic. That’s what Houston Strong truly means.