The Pecan Park Eagle

HOUSTON’S TEAM
HOUSTON’S TITLE
2017 World Champion Astros
By Bill Brown

I just read it. You need to do so too. In the end, the book even comes close to best describing itself when it calls the 2017 Houston Astros season result for what it was – what it is – and what it always will be for so many of us:

“Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot.”

“Houston’s Team, Houston’s Title: 2017 World Championship Astros” by former 30 season broadcaster Bill Brown is that kind of exposition of the most powerful moment in the Houston club’s franchise history. He takes us through the historical particulars of each game the Astros played against the Red Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers on their way to Houston’s first World Series title, along a trail of observations, insights, and emotional reactions from some who have been so close to the quest from 1962 until now. How Bill had the time to gather in the quality he needed and get this book into print in this short a space of time is almost a book lesson in itself. And, as if that weren’t enough, the profiling Brownie did on Jose Altuve as a developing Hall of Fame candidate, along with the additional work he did on the profiles of other key Astros were off the chart deep support to the subject at hand.

The moments Bill Brown’s book captures are powerful, poignant, joyful, and deep.

“I was sitting there with Judy, and Gurriel caught the ball for the final out,” said Larry Dierker. He worked for the Astros for 44 years. “I burst out laughing. I never ever could have guessed that would be my reaction. I laughed for about 30 seconds. I thought about it the next day and wondered why I laughed. I thought it’s because of the Dodgers.

“That Hollywood stuff, and you’re always looking up at them. They keep taking pictures of stars in the stands and mentioning what time the parade is going to be. And I thought, ‘Sorry Tommy. Sorry Hollywood. We’re taking this one.’ “ (pages 118-119)

Top it off with additional class. – The forward is by another of our valuable, but recently retired broadcasting greats. – Greg Lucas, another baseball writer of note, wrote the introduction to this 248-page paperback joy package delight for all members of the Astro Nation baseball community. Brown and Lucas share another baseball dignity in common. They are both inducted members of the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame.

The book is also a labor of love. All profits from the book’s sale are destined for charities supported by the Houston Astros.

“Houston’s Team” by Bill Brown is available for $15.00, plus sales tax and shipping, by Internet order from Amazon.com.

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