Watch: Astros' World Series banner reveal goes about as badly as possible
As problems go, this is one every other MLB team wishes it faced.
The Houston Astros had great difficulty unveiling their 2017 World Series championship banner before Monday night’s home opener at Minute Maid Park.
It was a much-anticipated moment for fans who hadn’t seen their team win a title since it came into being in 1962.
The Astros’ status as first-time championship banner unfurlers showed.
As fans held up their phones to capture the moment, the crew struggled to get the black curtain to fall off the banner high above left field.
Astros have just a little trouble unveiling their 2017 World Series banner 😂 pic.twitter.com/BxkfX5TBGB
— ESPN (@espn) April 2, 2018
While workers below the banner used a long pole and a leaf blower to try to free the covering, another scrambled up a ladder to take a more hands-on approach.
Pitcher Justin Verlander and other Astros were seen laughing at the spectacle before the nationally televised game.
After a few moments, the curtain finally fell to the side, revealing the words “17 World Series Champions.”
“I was like: ‘Come on, come on, come on,’ and then finally,” All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve said via the Associated Press.
The #Astros banner unveiling was…. tense. #AstrosHomeOpener pic.twitter.com/ACz9kjt8yr
— Bags4HoF (@Bags4HoF) April 2, 2018
Still, the black covering stubbornly clung to the banner as fireworks shot off.
Astros President Reid Ryan said via the Houston Chronicle that the banner became wrapped up in the wind, so the team had to turn to its backup plan of the work crew.
“After 56 years, a little wind wasn’t going to stop us,” Ryan said.
Of course the team came in for some ribbing on social media.
The #Astros needed 55 years to win a World Series, and almost that long to reveal the banner.
🤦🏻♂️😂— Robert Flores (@RoFlo) April 2, 2018
When the #TexasRangers win a World Series, our banner unveiling will go a little more smoothly.
(Astros fans: We get it, you guys have a ring. We don't. New jokes plz.) pic.twitter.com/KGO2IYiKI7
— SportsDay Rangers (@dmn_rangers) April 2, 2018
The only thing that could have made this better is if the fireworks ignited the tarp still clinging to the banner
— Da Bears (@bfinn_finn) April 3, 2018
The leaf blower in particular drew mockery and praise, even getting its own Twitter account.
Astros trying to unveil the banner… #Interns pic.twitter.com/Gd1cbHvq5E
— Oscar🌐 (@Osca0391) April 2, 2018
If the leaf blower doesn’t get an @astros World Series ring I’m starting a riot
— B (@BritniB714) April 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/AstrosLeaf/status/980961202900742144
In the game itself, the Astros played like defending champions, whipping the Orioles 6-1. Charlie Morton pitched six scoreless innings for Houston, and the Astros roughed up Baltimore starter Chris Tillman with four runs in four innings.
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