For 56 years the most difficult challenge the Houston Astros faced was winning the World Series. Now that they've done it, the next biggest challenge will apparently be keeping the Commissioner's Trophy in one piece.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the championship trophy took a hard fall at the men's gala charity event on Wednesday night at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. Astros owner Jim Crane brought the trophy so that attendees could catch a glimpse, but apparently one person tried to get a little too close. That led to the table collapsing and several of the trophy's flags being bent.
The trophy was quickly returned to its place and the event continued without any acknowledgment of the damage.
This isn't the first time a version of the Commissioner's Trophy has shown its resilience.
In the aftermath of the Chicago Cubs World Series victory last season, the Cubs trophy was damaged during a charity event when team president Theo Epstein passed it around while Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder was performing. In that case, a few of the gold-plated flags were snapped off. That fix was a little more complicated, but the trophy was eventually restored.
Add Astros
Houston Texans star J.J. Watt is one of the Astros' biggest fans, and he got the chance to throw out the first pitch on crutches before Game 3 of the World Series. The Astros honored Watt at the game for his incredible work in raising more than $37 million for Hurricane Harvey relief.
Watt shared a letter he received from Astros star Jose Altuve following the World Series, who wanted to make sure Watt knew he was a part of the squad. Altuve gave Watt the same gift he gave to his fellow Astros teammates, a bottle of "fine whiskey."
"From one H-Town brother to another, thanks for all you've done this year for the city we call home," Altuve wrote.
"Your support for all things Houston -- from hurricane relief, to being our number one fan -- has been nothing short of incredible."
Double jeopardy
Hunter Pence of the San Francisco Giants got a brushback diss from Alex Trebek on Jeopardy! earlier this week, but the outfielder hit back with some humor.
Trebek threw his shade on Tuesday's "Tournament of Champions" episode in which contestant Tim Aten told the host he had previously received a message of support from "Hunter Pence, World Series Champion."
"Yeah, OK, but not this year," Trebek cracked, adding a lip smack.
Trebek apparently knows his baseball. The Giants finished the 2017 season with the worst record (64--98) in the National League.
Pence, an outfielder, acknowledged he was beaten but still managed a winning response:
"@Jeopardy I'll take 'Got Wrecked by Alex Trebek' for $1,000, Alex," Pence wrote on Twitter.
Sports quiz
The Commissioner's Trophy, which is given to the winner of the World Series, was first awarded to which team?
Answer
The St. Louis Cardinals in 1967.
Sports on 11/12/2017