CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
World Champion Houston Astros visit the White House in style
Aug 7, 2023, 5:42 pm
CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
The Houston Astros flashed some championship swagger on Monday, August 7 as they made their second trip to the White House since 2017 to celebrate a World Series title.
Our gents who normally don the orange and blue unis stepped out in some killer suits — and kicks — as they made the trip to Washington D.C. to meet President Joe Biden. All Star Alex Bregman rocked some H-Town-worthy, red and yellow Jordans (a nod to the Houston Rockets) with his suit. And speaking of suits, Justin Verlander — who just returned to the team via a deadline-edging trade — was truly on-season and on-theme with his gold/khaki custom summer number.
Super slugger Yordan Alvarez — a strapping six-foot-five and clad in steel-blue custom suit and shades — looked every part the steely Secret Service agent.
Fans have been all over the team on Instagram and Facebook as our guys arrived in D.C. and strolled into the White House like total ballers.
At the official ceremony, President Biden congratulated the team and listed their many accomplishments during their second World Series run that saw the team topple the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies (Biden joked that he wouldn't be able to return to Philly after noting the loss.)
He also spotlighted star shortstop Jeremy Peña for his historic title as the first rookie position player to win the World Series MVP award. Peña, for his part, sheepishly raised his hand and flashed that million-dollar smile.
President Biden then congratulated and welcomed the Astros manager with a generous, “...and this is not hyperbole — the legendary Dusty Baker,” pointing out that the legend and Major League Baseball elder statesman won his first World Series title as a manager with the Astros.
“People counted you out saying you’re past your prime—I know a little something about that,” Biden said with a chuckle. The room, full of team staff, Houston elected officials, and more, erupted in laughter.
Biden also recognized the Astros off the field for “raising awareness for things near and dear to my heart,” such as domestic violence, children battling cancer, and Winter Storm Uri.
In a poignant moment, the president turned away from the podium mic to thank team owner Jim Crane and the team personally for their unforgettable efforts after the Uvalde tragedy through the Astros Foundation, which even included a special game-day experience.
“You played ball in the park with them,” he said with a tone of reverence and gratitude, adding that such time, “validates in a way I don’t think you really understand. You’re an impressive group of men. You really are.“
Crane, afterwards, thanked the president, team, and staff “from the announcers to the guys who clean the stadium.”
“I parked cars with that guy when I was 16,” Crane noted, pointing to Astros senior manager of parking Gary Rowberry. Always gracious with fans, Crane thanked them, noting that they “pay the bills.”
Welcomed by whoops and hollers, Baker, thanked his World Series-champion team, calling them, “the greatest guys I’ve been around.” Baker spotlighted his team's “perseverance” and that what he feels is their best quality: “they genuinely love each other... and I love them all.”
Baker, before the World Series jersey presentation to President Biden, then made a promise that's music to every Astros fans who wants to watch this ceremony again next year: “We plan on repeating.”
After a historic rookie season for Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, many were expecting the rookie phenom to take another step in his sophomore campaign.
Sadly for Houston fans, that didn't happen. Stroud regressed in his second year, and many believed that OC Bobby Slowik was the main reason for the sophomore slump.
And it looks like the Texans felt the same way. According to sources, Bobby Slowik and the Texans are parting ways.
A major change in Houston: The #Texans are moving on from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, sources say, after an up-and-down offensive season.
Despite reaching the divisional round, coach DeMeco Ryans hopes for more. OL coach Chris Strausser is also out. pic.twitter.com/UYOdNiADAx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 24, 2025
Offensive line coach Chris Strausser will not be returning either. Strausser's exit isn't nearly as surprising as Slowik's, KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reported earlier in the week that Strausser wasn't expected back.
But many didn't believe DeMeco Ryans would let Slowik go after one down season. However, the amount of hits Stroud was taking behind a leaky o-line that repeatedly was unable to pick up simple stunts certainly justifies the move.
Another year of that kind of abuse to Stroud just wasn't sustainable.
Now the team will have to turn their attention to finding a new coordinator and offensive line coaches. Ohio State's OC Chip Kelly is a name that has been discussed because of his past relationship with Ryans.
Aaron Wilson listed some potential internal candidates in the post below, which includes Jerod Johnson, Bill Lazor, and Ben McDaniels.
#Texans internal candidates to replace Bobby Slowik expected to be considered: Jerod Johnson, Bill Lazor and Ben McDaniels.
An outside candidate who makes sense: #Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
Would expect wide-ranging, thorough search@KPRC2 https://t.co/3RrkVVHVbr
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 24, 2025
The outside candidate (Klint Kubiak) he mentioned would make me the most excited!
Either way, the Texans have their work cut out for them in finding the next leader of the offensive staff.