The scene on Friday, November 3 was absolute jubilation, and it was a sight almost beyond comprehension. In streets that two months earlier were filled with several feet of floodwaters, a million joyous fans were celebrating the Astros World Series championship with an epic downtown victory parade and party.
It was a far cry from the tragic images recorded in the same streets in late August, when Hurricane Harvey's wrath turned them into rivers. The devastation wrought by the record-breaking storm occurred as the Astros were in the late stages of their magical quest for post-season glory. The hometown team, among which many suffered storm damage themselves, was delivering an exciting and wondrous performance for the ages. It provided hope - and a welcome diversion from the misery and destruction.
The past 50 years of frustration, despair, and eluded glory fell to the wayside as the team, with the logo "H Strong" emblazoned on their jerseys as a slogan of community support and unity, became giant slayers. One by one the historic baseball standard bearers - the Red Sox, the Yankees, and the Dodgers - were vanquished with hustle and gutsy play during the remarkable post-season run. In the process, the city of Houston came together like no other time before.
Around the city, the prevailing attire became Astros caps and shirts. Astros flags and pennants flew everywhere, even from countless homes that had been rendered uninhabitable by Harvey. And in spite of the storm's impact, sellout crowds turned out at Minute Maid Park to cheer on their beloved scrappers, as they frequently battled from behind to maintain their lead in the American League standings.
And the Astros' players demonstrated their devotion to the community by donating their time and money to Harvey relief efforts, while the organization furnished thousands of free game tickets to rescuers, first responders, volunteers, and evacuees. The Astros Foundation also provided more than $4 million to agencies assisting hurricane victims. The bond between team and city became stronger than ever.
When the team won the deciding Game 7 of the World Series in Los Angeles, a capacity crowd filled Houston's Minute Maid Park to watch the live feed on the jumbo screen, and remained on hand celebrating for hours afterward. When the team's plane arrived back in Houston the following day, thousands thronged to the stadium to meet their bus and welcome the players home.
And finally, in the largest mass gathering in Houston's history, the World Series trophy and the team were paraded on firetrucks through streets flanked by swarms of adoring fans. The route even had to be extended by several blocks to accommodate the crowds, made larger by area schools closing early and employers giving their workers the afternoon off. Live local TV coverage of the event set new daytime viewership records. And in perhaps the clearest sign of a collective spirit of unity, the Houston Police Department reported no substantial crimes at the enormous celebration.
Like the army of volunteers who saved hundreds from Harvey's flooding, the Astros delivered at a time when Houston needed it most. Inspiration born of adversity can be a powerful and unifying force.
