Houston: The Houston Astros celebrated their first World Series title in franchise history with a downtown parade and rally on Friday, with hundreds of thousands of Texas baseball fans in attendance.
The Astros captured their first championship in their 56th season by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games in the 2017 World Series.
Officials estimated that more than 500,000 people watched the parade on a humid day that came just over two months since Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the city.
Fans started showing up before dawn on the parade route and school was cancelled so students and their families could turn out. They watched the parade from high-rise buildings and parking garages, cheering their heroes who passed by on fire engines.
Astros standout pitcher Dallas Keuchel drew one of the biggest cheers at the rally outside the city hall building as he surveyed the scene, grabbed the microphone and asked, “Houston, what the hell took us so long to win a World Series?”
Houston manager A.J. Hinch was cautious when asked by reporters if the Astros planned to visit the White House if invited by President Donald Trump.
“We just won the first world championship in Houston Astros history,” Hinch said. “We’re also in one of the most divided countries, polarising countries in politics. I don’t know that this is the best stage for everybody to declare one way or the other and try to comment on the moment and be too much of a political statement.”
Meanwhile, right-hander Masahiro Tanaka is staying with the New York Yankees. Tanaka released a statement through the Yankees on Friday that he will remain with the team for the remaining three years of his original contract.
“I have decided to stay with the Yankees for the next three seasons,” the Japanese pitcher said in the statement. “It was a simple decision for me as I have truly enjoyed the past four years playing for this organisation and for the wonderful fans of New York.
“I’m excited to continue to be a part of this team, and I’m committed to our goal of bringing a World Series Championship back to the Steinbrenner family, the Yankees organisation, and the great fans of New York.”
He will be paid $67 million (Dh246 million) over the next three seasons.
The 29-year-old Tanaka experienced an inconsistent season by going 13-12 with a 4.74 ERA in 30 starts. He gave up a career-high 35 homers, tied for third in the AL, but also ranked in the top 10 in strikeout per nine innings (9.79), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.73) and walks per nine innings (2.07).
The Japanese pitcher concluded the regular-season with a 15-strikeout display Sept. 29 against the Toronto Blue Jays and went 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA in three postseason games. He held opponents to a .145 average in those starts.
