PHOENIX — Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch gathered his players around, took a puff from his victory cigar and told everyone to quiet down.
"You can say a lot of things about this team, but one thing they're going to say forever: We're a ... playoff team," Hinch told them while standing in puddles of beer and champagne.
It's hard to blame Finch and the Astros for letting loose. Their 10-year wait is over.
A 5-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday wasn't enough to spoil what they've done this season. The Astros are headed to the AL wild card, their first playoff appearance since facing the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 World Series and, yes, it feels awfully good.