In this season, it was good to be older and good to be younger. For 111 games, it was good to be a Dodger. And for 62 times it was great to be Aaron Judge, who broke the American League home run record. Or any of the record-setting pitchers. But most of all it was great to be one of the Houston Astros, who blended the old – 39-year-old Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – and the young – rookie two-time post-season MVP Jeremy Pena – to win 106 regular-season games and the World Series.

And what a World Series. One night, five different Phillies hit a record-tying five home runs in the first five innings. The next night, Houston’s Christian Javier and three relievers tossed the second-ever World Series no-hitter. Three nights later, the Astros gave Dusty Baker his first World Series championship in his 25th year of managing.

Houston led the AL in wins, then swept Seattle and the Yankees before taking out the Phillies in six games. But in a year when a record four teams won more than 100 games, only Houston made it to the Fall Classic. The Dodgers won a franchise-record 111 games and were bounced in their first playoff series. The Mets won 101, most since 1986, and did not win their division., nor a playoff series. Atlanta’s 101 wins captured the NL East, but the defending world champs won only once in the post-season.

The Astros’ history-making rookie SS Pena was the World Series MVP after also claiming the NL Championship Series MVP and being the first rookie shortstop to win a Gold Glove. And he wasn’t even a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year.  Braves pitcher Spencer Strider knows the feeling. He reached 200 strikeouts in 130 innings – faster than any pitcher in MLB history – and he wasn’t even the best rookie on his team. Dynamic center fielders Michael Harris of Atlanta and Julio Rodriguez of Seattle earned the ROY awards.

For the first time, both Cy Young winners were chosen unanimously. Verlander (18-4, 1.75) led in wins, win percentage, ERA, WHIP and fewest hits/nine innings. Miami’s Sandy Alcantara (14-9, 2.28), led MLB in innings and complete games.

It seemed there was a thrill per day: Albert Pujols hit his 700^th home run in his final season. Miguel Cabrera passed 3,000 hits. Mike Trout hit home runs in seven straight games. Seven rookies hit home runs in their first MLB at-bat. Miami’s Jerar Encarnacion hit a grand slam in his first game. Six rookie relievers had sub-1.00 WHIPS in 40-plus appearances. The Mets’ Francisco Lindor and Milwaukee’s Willy Adames hit more home runs in a season than any shortstop in their franchises’ history.

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