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The normally upbeat clubhouse – dubbed Club Astros in the playoffs of 2017 – was quiet Thursday night.
The players shook hands and kissed each other. It was like the last day of school. They would soon separate for the off season.
Players and staff were reasonably upset. They had just lost against Boston in the fifth match of the ALCS. It was their third consecutive loss at home.
They were down. Some held back their tears. Some sank a few minutes after the match. They were sitting in their dugout and watching the players celebrate the Red Sox. They remembered this feeling well. A year ago, the Astros celebrated their victory at ALCS and their next trip to the World Series.
Another emotion dominated the clubhouse on Thursday. It was a shock.
They did not expect to lose. Since winning the World Series last year, the expectation was always to come back and start again.
"Obviously, we did not want it to end that way," said Jose Altuve.
Watching Altuve was the hardest part of the series.
He gave everything he had to the Astros, but he was clearly struggling, clearly in pain. His knee was holding him back and it showed.
Altuve was clearly upset after the match, but still leader, he remained positive.
"If I had to start again this year, I would always choose all those same guys," said Altuve. "I love this team."
Altuve was ready to look forward.
The rest of the Astros should be too.
They fell short this season. They should have been better in the end. They were not and the season is over.
But the Astros still have a very good team, able to make a lot of noise next season.
They can take a break, a short, then start thinking about following things.
What should they do to improve?
Their pitching was excellent all year and collapsed against Boston. Their attack – which could be trusted to produce the entire season – has weakened in the series. They will watch these games and analyze their mistakes.
And if they form a big team, they will improve. They will carry a chip on their shoulders and want to take care of unfinished business next season.
"We'll let that flow for a day or two, then we'll go ahead and start getting ready for next year," said George Springer.
Then, maybe next year, the clubhouse will return to a place covered with champagne and celebrations instead of shock and consternation.
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