Most people’s coverage of the World Series was slated to begin on October 22^nd, however my own coverage started the day before with picking up my credential and covering World Series Media Day and the workouts by the Astros and the National League Champions, the Washington Nationals. Quick back story: after a 19-31 start, the Nationals caught fire and qualified for the NL Playoffs. Despite being a wild-card team, Washington was undeterred all October long, defeating Milwaukee in the Wild Card playoff game. Next, Washington rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, ending the season of a Dodger team that won 106 games during the regular campaign. Finally, on the heels of that mega-upset, the Nats completely dismantled the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Not only did Washington sweep St. Louis, 4-0, they did not trail at any point in the series. By no means were the Nationals lucky participants in the World Series, so it made for a very intriguing narrative for the series, “Cinderella vs. the Juggernaut”. Anyways, Media Day was rather low-key as both managers and all players were available for interviews as the day progressed and it was very cool to get photos of the players in a relaxed setting. And I was relaxed as well……until I got on the field for the Astros’ workouts, and that’s when I encountered all the media on the field from across the country (and dare I say, from around the world). A multitude of TV crews, three stage setups (one for ESPN, MLB Network and FOX Sports), many still photographers, it finally dawned on me, the occasion and the task ahead of me. I was going to be front and center for history. And I was going to be alongside some of the photographers I had spent time admiring as well. I was ready for the series to start, and it would with Game 1 that next night.

October 22^nd saw the start of the World Series and I was unfazed by all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the opening game of the affair, though I was excited to get a wide shot of Minute Maid Park with a gigantic American flag in the outfield. I had always envisioned that shot, and securing it made me feel better about the night going forward. As far as the game, the Cinderella Nationals overcame an early deficit to knock Houston starting pitcher Gerrit Cole out of the game midway through. Though the Astros would make late rally, Washington held on to win, 5-4, snatching away home-field advantage. The next night, the Nats would rip the game open in the seventh inning, scoring six runs to break open a tie game amidst many Houston miscues. Washington blew out Houston, 12-3, taking a 2-0 lead back home, and there was a sinking feeling that Houston’s 2019 World Series stay would be a very short one.

However, in truly weird fashion, the Astros galvanized and rallied to win all three games in Washington by a combined score of 19-3, taking a 3-2 lead back home for Game 6. In the space of three games, the Astros went from basically on life support to coming home with two chances to win the series and regain the world championship. However in Game 6 (on Oct. 29), even with the entire city of Houston anxiously waiting for a celebration, the Nationals didn’t panic whatsoever. Behind the strong pitching of starter Steven Strasberg, the timely hitting of third baseman Anthony Rendon and being able to frustrate Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, Washington won the game, 7-2, to force a seventh game on Wednesday, October 30^th. Though I was beyond tired from all the work and all the action that the month had brought, I had to rally my strength for the final task of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

For the seventh game, my own stakes and duties were changed as I was being asked to shoot the game from a position in center field as opposed to my normal elevated position above the first base line. It was an adjustment, especially with a new camera body in use (which I procured on Friday, Oct. 25) and a much longer lens as well, but I was ready for it, to be front and center for the final baseball game of the year. As far as the game itself, the Astros were in full control for six innings, but in true Nationals fashion, Washington did their damage late, scoring six runs in the game’s final three innings, winning Game 7 by a 6-2 score to win the 2019 World Series, the franchise’s first MLB championship. While the mood around Minute Maid Park was a dour one except for the travelling Nationals fans, I was completely and totally exhausted. Exhausted yet fulfilled.

Though the outcome wasn’t exactly the result I wanted (an Astros victory), I can say that I was present during the clinching of a world championship and subsequent celebration. As I said earlier, being able to cover a World Series wasn’t a goal I had realistically envisioned, at least not until recently. And to finally achieve said goal was draining yet joyous, especially with the series going to the full seven games for an added bonus. Life is a journey and nothing worthwhile is attainable without hard work. And over the course of my time as a photographer, I’ve worked hard with no guarantee it would lead anywhere. Now I know that all the hard work, sacrifice, late nights, pain and such, it all did have an end result, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, as it were. As of now, this has been the pinnacle of my professional career, and while I hope it’s not the only ultra-big-super-fantabulous accomplishment of mine, it’s the biggest so far. And for the opportunity, I am truly thankful and grateful.

I cannot end this entry without thanking the countless individuals who have helped, guided and assisted me over the last seventeen years. I hope that my work during the World Series was a great service to you all. To those who are reading this, I hope you found it enlightening and a little enjoyable. It’s been a wild ride and it was fun to share it with you all. Thank you immensely for reading this, do take care and fare thee well.

All images copyright 2019 Erik Williams/USA Today Sports Images