Astros fall from the top? Unprecedented.

Richard Justice looks at the factors that turned a pennant-winning team to a 100-loss team in a matter of six seasons. Unprecedented!

...Unless you count the Diamondbacks, who won the World Series in 2001 and lost 111 games in 2004. Or the Orioles, who won the World Series in 1983, and lost 107 games in 1988. Or the 1976 Reds, who won the World Series and lost 101 games in 1982. Or the Tigers, who won the World Series in 1984, and lost 103 games in 1989. Or the Marlins, who won the World Series in 1997, and lost 108 games in 1998. Or the Athletics, who won the World Series in 1974, and lost 108 games in 1979. Or the Pirates, who won the World Series in 1979, and lost 104 games in 1985. Or the Mariners, who won 116 games in 2001, and lost 99 games in 2004.

Is it amazing that the Astros were THISCLOSE to winning a World Series game in 2005, and they are where they are in 2011? Yes. But it's not unique to baseball. Teams go through smart periods, and they go through dumb periods. The Astros were dumb from 2004-2007 (and maybe still are). It happens.