LOS ANGELES — In the sea of blue at Dodger Stadium during Game 7 of the World Series, the bright orange jerseys worn by Astros fans were impossible to miss. Pairs of jerseys were scattered around the stadium, with one big pocket of orange in Section 32 on the reserved level.
"That was huge, to see them," Charlie Morton, who closed out Game 7 with four brilliant innings of relief, told Sporting News in the champagne-soaked clubhouse after the game. "I mean, we knew they were there in Boston (for the ALDS). We knew they were there in New York (for the ALCS). Those are tough places to go as a fan. That's tough."
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The color from Section 32 was like a beacon in the night for Astros fans, and not everyone who was there when I visited in the eighth inning — with the Astros up 5-1 and closing in on the first World Series title in franchise history — had a ticket for that section. That section was Houston-centric from the start (friends and family of the players, and staff), and it grew throughout the game.
Section 32 became a gathering spot for Astros fans. Nobody was really sitting down, so individual seats weren't too relevant. And nobody minded the cramped rows, because what's better than celebrating a World Series title with dozens and dozens of your new closest friends? Astros fans who met on the plane ride from Houston suddenly were sitting next to each other in the stadium. Astros fans who met in the Dodger Stadium concourses were invited to hang out in Section 32, too.
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For some fans, Section 32 was a chance to watch the game among friendly faces, which was a welcome change. Tensions in Game 7s are heightened. And heightened tensions can lead to uncomfortable situations.
"In and around LA before tonight, it's been enjoyable. People are fans of their team. We understand that," Houston native James Sephton told SN. "Tonight was the first night we realized it might not be the friendly confines it was (Tuesday) night."
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The Astros jumped on the Dodgers quickly in Game 7, with two runs in the first and three more in the second. Those final-game tensions? They jumped up a notch. And fans in Sephton's section, on the third-base side of the stadium, weren't thrilled to see the elation of Astros fans. That's when Sephton and his wife, Janette, took notice of the beacon on the other side of the stadium.
The biggest pocket of Astros fans at Dodger Stadium ... pic.twitter.com/vkfqrTdzda
— Ryan Fagan (@ryanfagan) November 2, 2017
"We saw a sea of orange up here, and I asked her, 'Do you want to go up there?'" Sephton said. "She asked me if I'd be more comfortable up here and I said, 'Yes.' Ever since we've come up here, and we were with fellow Houstonians and Astros fans, it's been a total change in experience."
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It was almost like a little bit of Texas in Dodger Stadium. The Sephtons attended Games 2, 6 and 7 of the ALCS in Houston, and they were at Minute Maid Park for Games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series. At a certain point, they had to be in LA.
"We've got to follow our team to the end," Sephton said. "No getting off the train. It's been an amazing experience."
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And the Astros closed out that amazing experience with a World Series title. Not a bad reward for the fans who made the trip.
"For everybody to make the trip here, to spend the money to get into this place, to supports us here, and at home, is great," Morton said. "I felt like whatever we could have done, we did it. We did our part."
Both sides did their part very well, actually.
