2021 was another great season for the Houston Astros franchise. It was a season that saw the team extend its’ historic run of postseason success. Houston made it to their fifth straight ALCS and their third World Series in the past five seasons. While they ended up going home without the Commissioner’s Trophy once again, it was a season to remember for Astros fans. Here are the top three most unforgettable Astros moments of 2021.
Altuve Caps Off Six Run Comeback vs Yankees
Right before the All-Star Break, Houston pulled off one of the best comebacks of the year. They rallied in the ninth, scoring six to walk it off. What made this comeback even sweeter for Astros fans is that it happened against the rival New York Yankees.
When the full scope of the Astros sign-stealing scandal was revealed at the beginning of 2020, there were many instances where fans looked back at specific moments and thought they were shady. One of those moments was at the end of the 2019 ALCS against the Yankees where Jose Altuve hit a walk-off home run to advance to the World Series. As he was coming home, he was holding his jersey so his teammates couldn’t rip it off. While there is no evidence of the Astros stealing signs in 2019, many point to this moment as being highly suspicious.
Fast forward to July 11, 2021, the final game of the first half. Houston enters the ninth inning down 7–2. However, they immediately put pressure on New York after a single by Yuli Gurriel and a double by Kyle Tucker. After the Yankees brought in Chad Green, the scoring began. It started with a two-run double by Chas McCormick. Abraham Toro then brought in McCormick with another double, bringing the score to 7–5. After a Jason Castro single and a Martin Maldonado lineout, Altuve ended the game with a three-run homer reminiscent of the 2019 ALCS. Houston won with a final score of 8-7. The cherry on top for Astros fans was when he crossed home and let his teammates rip his jersey off.
Correa Hits Go-Ahead Shot in Game One of the ALCS
Houston went deep into the postseason yet again, and Carlos Correa was a large part of the success once again. Correa has been one of the most clutch players in the league over the past five years. He gave the Astros another moment to remember in Game One of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox.
After trailing for most of the game, Altuve tied the game at three apiece with a two-run home run in the sixth inning. In the next inning, it was Correa’s time to shine. Houston started the bottom of the seventh inning with two quick outs. Up came the Astros’ shortstop who untied the game with a solo home run to left. Almost immediately after contact, Correa looked to his dugout and pointed at his wrist to say, “this is my time.” If 2021 was the last year Correa wears an Astros uniform, this will be one of the moments that Astros fans remember forever. Houston would go on to win the game 5-4.
Astros Advance to the World Series
The most unforgettable moment of the Astros’ 2021 season was when they finished off the Red Sox in the ALCS and advanced to the World Series. The game was close throughout until the eighth inning. Tucker turned a 2-0 game into a 5-0 game with a dagger three-run home run. This score would hold up as the final score. After the final out was recorded, there was no holding back the excitement for Astros players and fans alike.
Houston was getting a chance to win a title without any cloud hanging over it. Dusty Baker was getting a chance to capture that World Series championship as a manager that had proven elusive over his 20+ years in that role. Ultimately, the Astros would fall in the World Series to the Atlanta Braves. However, there were so many unforgettable Astros moments that lined an extremely successful and exciting 2021 season.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
Players/Managers Mentioned:
Jose Altuve, Yuli Gurriel, Kyle Tucker, Chad Green, Chas McCormick, Abraham Toro, Jason Castro, Martin Maldonado, Carlos Correa, Dusty Baker
