Justin Verlander said Thursday the run the Astros are on is dynasty worthy. But some of his teammates disagree, saying they need to win another championship.
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However, one expert says there's no debate. Hanging high above left field in Minute Maid Park displays the run the Astros have been on.
From the American League championships to the lone world championship, the Astros will soon add another.
"We've been here a couple times, and we haven't won," Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly said. "I think this team is pretty hungry to close the deal. You're given these opportunities, and you don't want to take them for granted. I don't think we're going to take them for granted for sure."
The banners show how the Astros have dominated over the past six years. But are they a dynasty?
"I don't know if it's a dynasty sort of speak," Astros pitcher Lance McCullers explained. "I think dynasties sometimes are gauged by championships, but the story's not done yet."
The Astros have only one world championship, but University of Houston associate professor Demetrius Pearson says the answer is obvious.
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"I would say they are," Pearson said.
Pearson is an expert in sports history. He said what the Astros have done in modern baseball is rare because players move around more often.
"In this day in time with free agency like it is, contemporary sport is different," Pearson explained. "Being able to hold into valuable players is very difficult."
As far as winning another title, Pearson said it might help cement the dynasty claim. As for needing another title because of the 2017 cheating scandal, Pearson explained it doesn't matter. "They've proved that they were not a fluke," Pearson said. "That's for sure."
This World Series isn't over, but Pearson says he doesn't think the historic run is either.
Although reaching the final series is never easy, Pearson said Astros fans may get to enjoy this dynasty beyond 2022. "With their success, it's unparalleled success in the new millennium, and with the team that they have, one would expect that they will be right where they are next year," Pearson explained.
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2022 World Series schedule: Astros vs. Phillies
- Game 2: at Houston, Saturday, Oct. 29, 7:03 p.m.
- Game 3: at Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 31, 7:03 p.m.
- Game 4: at Philadelphia, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7:03 p.m.
- Game 5*: at Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 7:03 p.m.
- Game 6*: at Houston, Friday, Nov. 4, 7:03 p.m.
- Game 7*: at Houston, Saturday, Nov. 5, 7:03 p.m.
* if necessary
More Astros stories during 2022 World Series run:
- Astros pitchers Framber Valdez and Luis Garcia rock hair extensions for MLB postseason hairdos
- Astros' star Yordan Alvarez family sees him play in postseason for the first time
- Rally nuns return to Minute Maid Park to cheer on Houston Astros
- Astros-Yankees predictions: Who will rule the ALCS?
- Houston restaurant's potty humor comes at Yankees' expense
- Bronx Bombers vs. Bayou City: Looking at the Astros-Yankees rivalry
- Major League melting pot: Looking at the demographics of the Houston Astros
- Astros' Yordan Alvarez merchandise flying off shelves in wake of playoff heroics
- Astros fan claims to have quit job to attend ALCS Game 2
- Bizarre moment during ALCS Game 2 after Astros fan storms field to take selfie with Altuve
- Gone with the wind: Yankees manager says Minute Maid Park's roof open 'kind of killed us'
- Houston sweeps for a 4th trip to the World Series
- Astros land in Houston ahead of World Series
- 2022 MLB World Series, 42 years in the making
- World Series tickets already selling out before Houston clinches ALCS
- Houston won't host just 1 Philadelphia team on World Series week
- Astros watch parties return as World Series tickets range $600-$17K
- Jeremy Peña stops by Irma's in downtown Houston after returning from clinching World Series berth
- Cheer on the Astros advancing to the World Series by eating a 25-cent themed doughnut
- Ghouls and grand slams? The neighborhood around Minute Maid Park could be haunted
- Astros outfielder Chas McCormick is a twin and grew up a Phillies fan