The Houston Astros won the 2022 World Series, congratulations to them, they've earned it. However, this year's World Series win comes after their controversial 2017 World Series where it was discovered the Astros had been involved in a cheating scandal that year due to stealing signs from their opponents. Both fans and players called for the Astros' 2017 title to be stripped, but it ultimately wasn't.

This has left many critics with a bitter taste in their mouths, about the Astros winning the 2022 World Series. Although it's unlikely that the Houston Astros are still stealing signs or cheating, people can't help but wonder, "What if they are still cheating?" Some of the players from the 2017 roster remain on the team after all.

I feel for the Astros' manager Dusty Baker. Baker was brought in to be the manager of the team after the Astros fired coach A.J. Hinch during the scandal. Baker was the one to get in front of the media and address the accusations even though he had nothing to do with it. However, after the 2022 World Series win Dusty Baker's contract as Astros manager was extended for another year.

Image Credit: TMZ

The Houston Astros will remain competitive next year and possibly be World Series contenders again if they can get two key players back who are free agents. Justin Verlander has a player option for 2023 and Trey Mancini is also a free agent. Bringing both of them back will be crucial for next season's success.

Other key players on the roster had some standout World Series games. This includes second baseman Jose Altuve, who was a part of the 2017 World Series team and hit over .300 in the series. Amazingly, he is still just 32 years old because it seems like he has been around forever. Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yuli Gurriel, and Verlander are the most memorable names remaining from that 2017 World Series team, and to be honest, they all had great performances throughout late October and early November.

These four players have made up one of the best core groups in the MLB over the past decade. Two World Series in five years is nothing to scoff at. After sweeping that loaded New York Yankees team in the American League Championship and then taking down the Philadelphia Phillies in a hard-fought World Series, Houston Astros has proved that they can beat anybody. We will probably be seeing a lot more of the Astros deep in the postseason over the next few years.

For more opinionated sports articles check out Sports Column!