|  In recent years, the Houston Astros established a reputation as a good old boy baseball team, free from the taints of controversy that had encumbered other baseball teams and other sports. In 2006, the Astros played for the World Series against the Chicago White Sox, who featured a very explosive, Hispanic manager in Ozzie Gullen and a racially diverse team. When the White Sox swept the Astros 4-0 questions began to simmer about the Astros. People began calling them, the old boy network team, others called them a racist organization to have an all white team in 2006. But others pointed to the fact that with players with squeaky clean reputations like Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, they steered clear of the steroids taint that had saddled many other teams. They said in the long run the image of old boy respect was worth more.
The reputation of a racist organization was unfair. The Astros, in their history were known for some of the best minority players in the game. The (Toy Cannon) Jimmy Wynn, pitcher J. R. Richard, Cesar Cedono, Joe Morgan, and current baseball executive Bob Watson all coarsed through the franchise. But there were reports that the welcome they got was not always well recieved. Jose Cruz helped bridge the gap becoming the first hispanic star in an area of the country geographically ameniable.
Miguel Tejada, the current Astos shortstop and all star symbolizes a different slant for the Astros. Miguel came to the Astros with baggage. He was already swirled in rumors of steroid abuse when he arrived and the Astros still took a chance on him. This year, 2009, when he confirmed and apologized for his steroids use the Astros were a made a part of the story.
Steroids, an injection taken or pill taken, with the purpose of enhancing an athletes body in a non natural way produced a dark period in baseball. Home run king Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa were all linked to abuse and received a taint or at least an understood asterik next to their name that may forever stay with them.
Further, the Astros hired their first black manager in Cecil Cooper in mid season 2008. This was very signifigant in their history for a team that a few years earler had been saddled with a racist reputation.
The Astros started slow in 2009 but are steadily moving up in standings. Miguel Tejada is leading the way, currently batting 329 to lead the Astos. He has not let the scandal stop his production and neither has the league fans, Voting him an all star for the sixth time.
The Astros may get to a pennat again yet and though they were embroiled with Tejada what they have achieved with a reputation for diversity may be worth more and in the end they can prove they can win too with a team that represents everyone. Go Astros!
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