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Astros on verge of first-ever NL Pennant
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-18 09:00

To fans of the Chicago White Sox and other teams that think they've had long, excruciating waits to get back to the World Series, Houston Astros supporters have a message: At least you've been there.

Houston Astros Luke Scott, right, shakes hands with St. Louis Cardinals' relief pitcher Jason Marquis during the teams' warm-ups before Game 5 of their National League Championship Series in Houston, Monday, Oct. 17, 2005.
Houston Astros Luke Scott, right, shakes hands with St. Louis Cardinals' relief pitcher Jason Marquis during the teams' warm-ups before Game 5 of their National League Championship Series in Houston, Monday, Oct. 17, 2005. [AP]
No franchise has been in the same city without ever reaching the World Series — much less, winning it! — longer than the Colt .45s-turned-Astros.

And loyal Houstonians have tearstained rainbow jerseys to remind them of all the close calls.

Now in their 44th season, and ninth postseason, the Astros again were on the verge of breaking through Monday night. Houston went into Game 5 of the NL championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals with a 3-1 lead in the best-of-7 series.

"I just think it would be electric for the city," said manager Phil Garner, who played on the '86 team that came tantalizingly close to the World Series. "People are just so wound up."

Their chances this time are pretty good, with Andy Pettitte starting Game 5 at home, and Roy Oswalt and Roger Clemens ready to go if the series shifts back to St. Louis.

Yet lessons learned the hard way, primarily in 1980, '86 and 2004, have taught fans to believe it when they see it.

Here's a quick trip through the Astros' agonizing playoff history:

? 1980, NLCS vs. Philadelphia.

After signing future Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Joe Morgan, the Astros overcame ace J.R. Richard's career-ending stroke to win the NL West for the first time. Then Houston discovered how tense, exciting and frustrating the playoffs can be.
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