WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- On the opening day of spring training, manager Dusty Baker and his staff gathered their team before the first full squad practice. It was the first time the Houston Astros were back on the field together since celebrating their World Series victory in November, and there were plenty of smiles and hugs to go around.
Just over three months since the franchise won its second title in six years, Baker told his team it was time to begin anew. Baker last year galvanized this group, which sought vindication of raising a World Series trophy untainted by the sign-stealing scandal that hung over its 2017 title, along with a chance to deliver Baker his first World Series ring in 25 years as a manager.