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Villified Houston Astros from 2017 season begin quest to win another World Series vs. Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman, right, celebrates with teammate Ozzie Albies after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday in Los Angeles. (AP photo)

HOUSTON — Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman whipped the ball around during a crisp infield drill, then came together for a group hug near second base after finishing up Monday.

High above the diamond at Minute Maid Park, the sun gleamed off an oversized banner attached to a light tower.

“World Series Champions,” it said, along with “17” and the Astros logo. And it was solid gold.

Nope, no tarnish on that tribute. Not here in Houston, anyway.

Because if the stain of their sign-stealing scandal on the way to the 2017 crown is hanging over them, the Astros aren’t showing it. Let the rest of the sports world condemn them forever as baseball’s biggest cheaters — they’re focused, they say, on putting another shiny flag on that tower.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve warms up during batting practice on Monday in Houston, in preparation for Game 1 of the World Series that starts tonight between the Astros and Atlanta Braves. (AP photo)

“I’m not worried about narratives. I’m not worried about any of that,” Bregman said.

Back in the World Series for the third time in five years, they get that chance starting tonight in Game 1 against the Atlanta Braves.

Heckled, cursed and taunted with fake trash cans at ballparks across the majors all season, the Astros know there’s nothing they can do to change any fan’s mind. The hate directed at them on social media, that’s not going away anytime soon.

Neither are the whispers. During the AL playoffs, there was loosely lobbed innuendo and speculation about misdeeds.

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