'Because of them, we're here now': Astros' young stars, led by Yordan Alvarez, lead old guard back to World Series

HOUSTON – When the Houston Astros were plotting and executing the most craven sign-stealing scheme the game had seen in decades, Yordan Alvarez was slogging through Buies Creek, North Carolina and Davenport, Iowa, wondering what sort of future he had in his new organization.

As signals were decoded and trash cans banged, Luis Garcia accepted the Astros’ $20,000 signing bonus and left his native Venezuela for the club’s complex in the Dominican Republic, eight levels from Houston and guaranteed nothing more than the modest check in hand.

And as the sordid scheme boosted the Astros to 101 wins and a romp to the 2017 World Series title that included an 8-1 record at home, Kyle Tucker slugged his way from the Carolina League to Corpus Christi, on the Astros’ radar but still lodged far from their immediate plans thanks to a bevy of veteran outfielders in Houston.

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