When the Houston Astros finally earned their first World Series title, a collective city of bruised spirits were lifted up along with the Commissioner's Trophy. #HoustonStrong was the theme as the nation's 4th largest city continues its recovery from Hurricane Harvey which left thousands homeless from perhaps the worst flood in American history. That 25 men and their coaching staff could do so much while playing a "kid's game" is testament to the power of sports. Even for the casual fans, and especially the new fans, experiencing the glory of a baseball championship reverberated through our city and provided a welcome respite from the work at hand. Everyone has their own Harvey story, and now we all have our own Astros narrative. For me, it began as a seven-year-old taken to old Colt Stadium as part of the "Knothole Gang" when tickets were 50 cents apiece. My dad brought me to the Harris County Domed Stadium, its official name, to see Mickey Mantle hit the first Dome Dinger in 1965. A decade later, my photography career allowed me to work in the Astrodome for perhaps a thousand events until the downtown palace, Enron Field" opened 17 years ago. The Dome housed thousands of New Orleans evacuees after Hurricane Katrina. I returned once more for its 50th birthday party.

These new Astros accomplished what no other baseball team could. Years of sports heartbreak, aside from the Rockets two tiles in the mid-90's, were finally absolved when George Springer and company won it all last week. An estimated 20,000 fans came to Minute Maid Park to watch the Astros beat the Dodgers. Bedlam ensued. Perhaps a million folks attended the Mayor's World Series Parade last Friday (or tried to get there through traffic.) There is still much work to be done in our recovery efforts. We can now share the joy of winning with the world. --30--