The Houston Astros, in the wake of a sign-stealing scandal, battled to within one game of reaching the World Series again, losing out to the Tampa Bay Rays in seven games. It was a bit surreal to cover the season for Paper City Magazine but at the same time fascinating to witness baseball in the bubble. I was among a handful of photojournalists covering the team. We had a daily health questionnaire, temperature check and assigned seating for our meals to be delivered to before each game at Minute Maid Park. We wore masks the entire time unless we were eating or drinking, of course. I felt like we were in the safest place in the Houston Metropolis. And yes, the games were exciting. Our team played amazingly well under skipper Dusty Baker. Some opponents took aim, literally, at our players. With every playoff win, the haters just got madder at the team for their “crime”. Stealing signs in baseball was nothing new, and was accelerated when MLB placed instant replay monitors in every dugout. The Yankees and Red Sox were also punished for similar “crimes” but the Astros received the brunt of the punishment for banging on a plastic trash can. They proved they were still a great team that didn’t need to cheat to win in this pandemic-shortened season. They lost their ace pitcher, closer and reigning rookie of the year to injuries and Covid-19. I only wish they had gotten the chance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a rematch of 2017.