Since 1969, only 4 teams that won 100+ games failed to win a single playoff game. Orioles and Dodgers expanded that list by 2.
Thanks for the correction, Nick. So now we are entering the territory of the NY Yankee 9 year dynasty of 1996-2004. 7 ALCS appearances 6 Pennants 4 World Series Rings Astros 2017-2023 (7 years) 7 ALCS appearances 4 Pennants 2 World Series Rings
Yes… great movie… and pays homage to the history and impact of baseball for sure… I just prefer baseball movies where actual games are played. Sandlot also a tremendous baseball movie… but I put that in this category as well.
Crazy to think Justin Verlander got both of his wishes, to get paid his max contract (thank you Mets) and pitch for the Astros (thank you Mets once again).
Astros will probably do something over the next 2-3 years to match some of this… but beyond that, nothing is for granted. Hell, what they did last year and this year isn’t for granted. And just look at how the Yankees fans have endured since the time period above. Sure they’ve had division titles, ALCS appearances, hell… they won a World Series in 2009… but every Yankees fan I know (lots of them) harkens back to the late 90’s-early 2000’s era with a slight bit of regret that they didn’t fully appreciate that time or realize that this wouldn’t be the norm in subsequent eras. Appreciate the current. This is special. This is why you endure endless stretches in July/August. This is what gets remembered… not failing to pinch hit for Maldy for a game against the Angels in June.
My projections: G1 Verlander vs Eovaldi G2 Valdez vs Montgomery G3 Javier vs Scherzer G4 Urquidy vs Heaney/Dunning G5 Verlander vs Eovaldi G6 Valdez vs Montgomery G7 Javier vs Scherzer I like the day off and a fresh bullpen heading into the Javier/Urquidy starts. This all lines up well for the good guys.
Other ones I enjoy: 42 Rookie of the Year Trouble with the Curve The Rookie Little Big League Take Me Out to the Ball Game with Gene Kelly.
Only year they lost 2 was to the Rays in 2019 (“best astros team ever!…”) I fully believe the ALDS success is as critical to defining this team’s dynasty as anything. No other team in baseball history has survived these pressure-packed 5 game series as well as the Astros. If you lose in the LCS or WS… oh well. If you lose in the LDS (especially if you were a dominating team)… its a ****ing dissapointment and people lose their jobs over these piddly 5 game series. Your regular season gets completely forgotten/invalidated… and may god have mercy on your soul.
3 of the 4 teams traded for pitchers around the trading deadline are still in the playoffs. How sweet is it that AJ Hinch's Tigers Eduardo Rodriguez rejected a trade to the Dodgers. The SPs for the Dodgers killed them in the series.
