PARADE OF CHAMPIONS: Astros, city of Houston celebrate World Series victory

The party that started Saturday night on the field of Minute Maid Park and quickly spilled outside of the stadium expanded even further on Monday, with a large portion of the city of Houston lining the streets of downtown to celebrate with, and thank, the 2022 champion Houston Astros.

“We’re so excited. 2022 was a heck of a year… A dream come true for every single person in here.”

Alex Bregman prior to the parade

Days like this are few and far between for a city, with the accomplishment of a pro sports championship so hard to obtain, so the Astros and their loyal fans took the opportunity to savor the moment for the second time in the last six years.

“It’s why you play the game. It’s what you dream about when you’re a kid. I can’t wait to experience the parade today.

Trey Mancini prior to the parade

While it’s not the first time the Astros have spurred street and school closures, having won it all in 2017, there was something unique and different about getting the job done in 2022. Whether it was a sense of vindication or simply putting an exclamation point on their statement that they are a dynasty, the elation of the team and fans was unrivaled.

The core of this team has become staples not just at the ballpark but in the entire city of Houston. Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Lance McCullers Jr. are a few of the faces that have instilled a sense of family in millions of people in this city for the better part of a decade.

When people would boo Jose Altuve, Astros fans felt like they were attacking a beloved family member. When opposing fans would spew hate and say the Astros couldn’t win without cheating, the fans of this team felt like their family name was being disparaged. So, having won it all, it’s no surprise that they packed the streets not just to celebrate but to congratulate.