Astros Publish Full-Page Ad in Washington Post Congratulating Nationals

The World Series may have ended in abject misery for the Houston Astros in more ways than one, but that didn't stop them from showing some respect for their opponents.

Nearly two weeks removed from their Game 7 loss in the World Series, the Astros took out a full-page ad in the Washington Post to congratulate the Washington Nationals on their franchise's first championship title.

The Astros have dealt with their fair share of bad press over the past month, but this is just a sign of pure class. It takes an awful lot of strength to tip your cap to the team that downed you in such agonizing fashion on baseball's biggest stage.

The David-versus-Goliath clash was one for the ages, too. The road team won every game of the series, and outside of the 5-4 final of Game 1, none of them were particularly close after some serious late-game heroics.

The 'Stros lost the final two games of the series at home by a combined score of 13-4, and they blew a 2-0 lead in the seventh inning of the finale. Talk about heartache.

But to see them turn around and congratulate their competitors is truly respectable. Even in an span of weeks where they've gotten so much wrong, they managed to do this right.