The Houston Astros are this year’s World Champions after a grueling seven-game series against the L.A. Dodgers. The Astros finished the regular season leading the American League (AL) West, with a record of 101-61.

The Astros played three teams in the post-season before being named this year’s champions. First, they beat the Red Sox 3-1 in a four-game series. Their last game in Boston was close, but Houston made it out on top, as the final score for game four was 5-4.

Next, they had to overcome a 91-71 New York Yankees team. The rookie Aaron Judge set a record for most home runs hit by a first-year player (52). This effort ranked Judge second in the Major Leagues and first in the American League, and he had his eyes set on finishing a great first season with a World Series title for the Yankees.

This was not the case, but a good series nonetheless. The Astros won the first two before the Yankees came back and tied at 2-2. Each team won one more game before heading to game seven in Texas, where this Houston team was able to shut out Judge and the Yankees 4-0.  

The Astros led or were tied with a 104-58 Dodgers team for a majority of the World Series after losing game one, 1-3. After a 13-12 victory in game five, the Astros headed to Los Angeles and lost game six with another 1-3 defeat. Game seven was hosted by the Dodgers, but the Astros would take it all after a 5-1 victory and the world title.

Outfielder George Springer increased a 3-0 Astros lead to 5-0 in the top of the second inning, after he hit a two-person home run. This was Springer’s fifth home run in the series which, tied him for the most in a single fall classic, also making him the first player to hit four consecutive home runs in the World Series.

Houston has never played in a seven game World Series contest; their only other appearance was in 2005 where they lost 4-0 against the White Sox. Eight playoff records were set between both teams this season.

Some of these include 25 total home runs between both clubs and 17 strikeouts by the Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger. In addition, fourteen players had at least one home run, and there were three game seven accounts of starters failing to go three innings.

After winning the World Series, Astros shortstop Carolos Correa proposed to his girlfriend, Daniella Rodriguez. He was originally going to pop the question after game six, but the Dodgers were able to send it to seven.

Correa explained to his teammates he was unprepared and did not have a backup plan if the Astros lost their last game. This was not the case, however, and Correa would celebrate with two rings this season instead of just one.

After all the hardships regarding Hurricane Harvey, the Astros’ first World Series in 51 seasons is great for a recovering Houston area. Hopefully, next the Houston Rockets will be able to represent the West during the NBA finals.