Astros go to the World Series, again

Players come and go. Coaches and general managers, too. And the only constant the Houston Astros have experienced in recent years has been wins, postseason and even World Series.

Houston will play in the Fall Classic for the second consecutive time and fourth in six years after defeating the New York Yankees 6-5 Sunday night to complete the sweep in the American League Championship Series.

The Astros advanced undefeated in the postseason after mopping up the Seattle Mariners and Yankees after they posted the American League’s best regular-season record with 106 wins, which is the second most in franchise history, to reach their sixth consecutive postseason; seventh in eight years.

And every year they do it with different players. Without Carlos Correa, George Springer, Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton, Josh Riddick and even Gerrit Cole, who now plays for the Yankees, among many other players who left in free agency or by decision of the club.

Also gone is manager A.J. Hinch, who was in charge of the Astros’ growth, maturation and championship process. He left amid the sign-stealing scandal, which has tarnished the franchise’s recent successes. So did general manager Jeff Lunho.

“My being here has been about continuing the process and strengthening the organization,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said before Game 3 against the Yankees. “Some of the core guys are still here. Some other players have taken on more of a leadership role than they had before. It’s been a natural process.”

At times, many might think the Astros became the new dynasty of the American League. But the reality is different, because few ballplayers have been with the team for most of the recent times, when they have dominated the League almost at will.

For example, from the World Series championship they won in 2017, only José Altuve, Yuli Gurriel, Alex Bregman and Lance McCullers Jr. are on the team. Justin Verlander was champion that year, but injuries have prevented him from playing all the other postseasons.

“We have really good guys here, in and out of the bullpen,” Baker added. “They embrace the young guys. They teach the young guys, who they lecture on the right way to play the sport at the highest level and how to handle their business. I’ve had a very exciting time here, where everyone always looks forward to winning.”

The clearest example of the Astros’ evolution is represented by Jeremy Peña, who was one of the most important contributors in the regular season and in the playoffs has been cooperating equally with offense and defense.

Peña replaced one of the club’s recent icons, shortstop Carlos Correa, who left in free agency at the end of last season.

“These guys have accepted me from day one,” Pena said. “I’ve learned a lot from them. They’ve taught me a lot about putting in the work and competing. That’s what I’m trying to do, trying to keep getting better and playing hard.”

So, the Astros are trying to cap the process with another World Series. But this time, by winning it…