Some random observations from the Astros' victory parade:
1) It was great, albeit bittersweet, seeing Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio in the parade. They gave it their best throughout their Hall of Fame careers to bring a day like this to Houston, but could never quite get over the hump. One of the local stations had Roger Clemens commenting. While he did win a couple of rings with the Yankees, he, too, came up just short with the Astros.
2) The absence of Justin Verlander. I get it, he planned his wedding in Italy well before he knew he'd be traded to Houston; and there was no shot the Tigers would be playing deep in the postseason. A columnist did a rundown of what he'd have to do to make both the parade and the wedding. It wouldn't have been easy, but...I'll just say I was disappointed he didn't make it. It appeared as if Dallas Keuchel was trying to Face Time him from the podium.
3) Seeing Ken Giles and Chris Devenski on a firetruck was ironic. I know if there was a fire, those two are the last guys I'd want coming to put it out.
4) Despite it being early November, the temperature was high 80's/low 90's. The reflection pond in front of city hall quickly became a wading pond. Only in Houston.