Three Astros stars get plunked in ominous sign for season

These beanings didn’t seem like a coincidence.

During the Houston Astros’ final tune-up before the official start of the shortened MLB season, Kansas City Royals pitchers Jorge Lopéz and Jackson Kowar managed to hit three star players — José Altuve, Alex Bregman and George Springer — all of whom were members of the 2017 World Series champions that engaged in an illegal sign-stealing scheme.

Several fans were happy to see the Astros get menaced at the plate.

Brendan Donley, who created the Twitter account @AsteriskTour in February to scrutinize the Houston franchise, posted videos of the plunks along with a meme to poke fun at the Royals for hitting Altuve and Bregman while the Astros had the bases loaded.

Some baseball fans believe the Astros’ 2017 championship was illegitimate. The sign-stealing scandal resulted in the suspension and termination of both the team’s manager, AJ Hinch, and general manager, Jeff Luhnow. The players who participated were never directly punished.

These plunks could be an early sign of things to come for the Astros, though the absence of fans prevents the boo-bird tour they were expected to face. Other teams and players may be making sure their price gets paid on their own.

The Astros will begin their season at home on July 24 with a four-game series against the Mariners.