Houston Astros: Dodgers Ross Stripling’s intriguing connection to H-Town

WHAT?

Yep, a Dodgers pitcher is from here. Rather than get on a plane and fly to a secret spot, Stripling had to get on a plane and fly back to the heart of the celebration. Just to be sure, I had to check how it’s possible.  Stripling, though born in Blue Bell, Pa., moved to Southlake, Tex. where he played ball at Carroll High School, a suburb outside of Dallas.

Originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2011, he chose not to sign with them. He then played his college ball at Texas A&M University before being drafted by the Dodgers in the 2012 MLB Draft. After spending time in the minors, Stripling was given a non-roster invite to Spring Training. But then, he had to have Tommy John surgery in 2014. But he came back and made the Dodgers roster in 2016.

His best moment of his career came in his major league debut when he threw 7 1/3 innings of no-hit ball against the San Francisco Giants. He was then pulled in the eighth and the Dodgers bullpen couldn’t finish the no-hitter. By 2017, Stripling was moved to the bullpen and would become a vital asset to the Dodgers by pitching three scoreless innings in five postseason appearances.

So why are we talking about him?

But, like all the other Dodgers, he has to deal with the pain of losing the World Series to the Houston Astros. Unlike all the other Dodgers, he has to deal with the pain of losing the World Series to the Houston Astros literally. You see, on his flight back to Houston, he had to deal with Astros fans with hats in the aisle. They didn’t know him, but they taunted the Dodgers.

Stripling then goes to a courthouse to get a marriage license for him and his fiance. Guess what he sees? Clerks wearing Astros gear asking him about the series. Everyone was wearing Astros gear.

Oh and to make things worse, a few days later, Stripling is driving around the city while trying to avoid traffic. Typical of Houston to have traffic when he’s around. But there’s a reason behind the jam. There was no accident nor was it rush hour. The city of Houston was having a parade for the Astros.