Houston Astros: A Time to be Thankful

3 Things About the Houston Astros to be Thankful For

Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa #1 bats against the Kansas City Royals in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means that the time of over-gorging on turkey, pumpkin pie, and hot rolls is upon us. But it is also a time to give thanks for everything a person may be thankful for in their own respective lives. This could include many things, but Climbing Tal’s Hill is an Astros-centric site so I would like to share three things that I am thankful centered on our favorite baseball team.

The 2015 Astros Playoff Run

The last time that our beloved Houston Astros made any significant noise late in the season was in 2005 when the franchise made its first, and only, a trip to the World Series. Since then the Astros have changed players, owners, leagues, uniforms, and dropped from respectability to laughing stock. But now the rebound back to respectability came much earlier than originally anticipated. Not only the team’s 2015 original goal of a .500 record was achieved, but the team also achieved its first playoff berth as an American League franchise. A sense of nostalgia was felt around the city of Houston during its battles with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals.

Thanks to players like Dallas Keuchel, George Springer, Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Collin McHugh, along with numerous others, this Astros squad was one of the most exciting to watch in franchise history. 2015 also quieted many doubters and naysayers of the Astros analytics-driven front office. It also proved that baseball is, in fact, alive and well in Houston. Quality baseball is back again in the city and for that we all are thankful.

Next: Click for 2nd Thing to be Thankful for

Craig Biggio‘s Hall of Fame Induction

Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson (L) presents Hall of Fame Inductee Craig Biggio (R) with his Hall of Fame Plague during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Numerous Hall of Fame quality players has played for the Colt .45’s/Astros franchise. Players like Nellie Fox, Joe Morgan, and Nolan Ryan along with others donned a Houston uniform at one time or another. However, none of them were ever inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Astro. But that finally changed after Craig Biggio was inducted into the exclusive group of baseball’s greatest players in 2015.

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Astros fans everywhere can finally claim that we have one of our guys in the Cooperstown. No debate, no competition with another franchise. Biggio is an Astro, no questions ask. He represents the generation of Astros fans who’ve been there from the beginning and who remember the franchise’s early struggles. Biggio also represents the new age of Astros fans that came in during arguably the franchise’s golden age. He helped bridge the generations of Houston fans and put Astros baseball back on the map during the 1990’s through the 2000’s. Biggio and his numerous accomplishments as a professional baseball player in Houston played a significant part in that narrative. He represented the city and the franchise right. Biggio helped make 2015 an even more memorable year. And for that, Astros fans everywhere are thankful.

Next: Click for 3rd Thing to be Thankful for