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Houston Astros 2017 World Series banner is missing

By David Hill

Apr 2, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; A world series banner is displayed at Minute Maid Park during the game between the Houston Astros and the Baltimore Orioles. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2018; Houston, TX, USA; A world series banner is displayed at Minute Maid Park during the game between the Houston Astros and the Baltimore Orioles. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 season is one that will live in infamy for as long as Major League Baseball exists. The Houston Astros won the World Series that year, a title that was later tainted when AstroGate came to light. While the league refused to make the Astros vacate the championship as part of their punishment for their cheating scandal, the vast majority of baseball fans refused to recognize that title as being legitimate.

It appears as though someone took matters into their own hands. The Astros 2017 championship banner is missing from the plaza outside of Minute Maid Park, apparently pried off of the pole it had been attached to.

Houston Astros championship banner has been taken

There are certainly those who will regard this individual, or individuals, as heroes. Since the league refused to do anything about that title and allowed it to stand, something was done. It may still count in the record books, but for now, the visual is gone.

Chances are, this would not have happened had the league done something that the fans felt was an actual punishment. General Manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were each suspended for a year and subsequently fired. The organization was fined $5 million and lost draft picks for two years. Additionally, Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran were let go from their managerial posts, although Cora returned to the Red Sox for 2021.

Likewise, the general lack of contrition from key members of the Astros has rankled fans of other teams. Certain players, such as Jose Altuve, are still regarded as Public Enemy Number One and are booed accordingly. Fans are not ready to forgive nor forget and may not be for a long time.

The saying is that flags fly forever. That championships are worth whatever the cost, be it in terms of prospects and/or financially. In the Astros’ case, that cost also included their respect around the league and the continued disdain of other fan bases.

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The Houston Astros 2017 championship banner is missing. If the league would not remove their title, someone else was going to.

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