Springer, Morton ready to defend championship

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It was a very proud winter for both Charlie Morton and George Springer.

The pair of former Connecticut high school baseball stars were integral parts of helping the Houston Astros win their first World Series championship in the 55-year history of the franchise last fall.

The New Britain-born Springer, who starred at both Avon Old Farms and UConn, was the Most Valuable Player of the World Series. Morton, who pitched for Joel Barlow High School in Redding, was the winning pitcher in the seventh game of the Fall Classic.

“It was a long winter, but a fun one,” Springer said after the Astros defeated the Mets, 2-0, Monday at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It was incredible to do that. To be on this team is awesome and it’s something I’m not going to forget.”

Springer hit two home runs in Game 7 and belted five overall. He hit .379 with seven RBI in the Fall Classic.

Morton pitched the final four innings in the clinching Game 7 in Los Angeles and allowed two hits, one walk and just one run. He also started and won Game 7 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park, pitching five shutout innings with five strikeouts. In two appearances in the World Series, he pitched 10 1⁄3innings and had a 1.74 earned run average.

It was a different mentality for the 34-year-old Morton when he came on in relief in Game 7 of the World Series. A starter for most of his 10-year big league career, he had only pitched in relief once before in 190 previous major league appearances, that coming back in his rookie season with Atlanta in 2008.

Being put into that position is the dream of every kid playing baseball. Morton said he never thought about playing in the World Series while growing up in Redding.

“I wouldn’t have thought that at all,” Morton said.

“To get there doesn’t happen. In Connecticut, it’s harder to hone your skills. You don’t have the same workload as someone from California, Texas or Florida. To become a more refined player at a young age is harder.”

Morton now makes his home in Bradenton, Fla.

With his mother living in Pittsburgh and his father in Charleston, S.C., he has stayed in touch with some old friends from the Nutmeg State along the way.

“It’s been about a decade since I’ve been back in Connecticut,” Morton said. “But I have friends there who congratulated me and were happy for me. I just went home after the World Series and it’s quiet away from baseball.”

On the other hand, it didn’t take long for Springer to get back to Connecticut.

He loves his new home in Houston, but he was back in the Nutmeg State for Thanksgiving with friends and family.

“I went back for a week,” Springer said. “I like going to see my family and friends. It’s where I’m from, but I love Houston, so I stay there.”

They’ll both be integral parts of the Astros again, who are among the favorites to win the 2018 World Series.

Springer will play center field and right field. He’s just about ready to break camp for the regular season, which begins at the end of next week.

Pretty good for two Connecticut kids who hope to help their team win it all again.

Rich Schultz / Getty Images The Astros’ George Springer has made his native Connecticut proud with a standout professional career that most recently included winning the World Series MVP.

Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Bethel native and Astros pitcher Charlie Morton hugs teammate Brian McCann after winning Game 7 of the World Series on Nov. 1. Morton will assist Houston in its title defense this season.