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HOUSTON – Jose Altuve’s legend grows every time he steps onto the pitch and every time he comes to bat. He made a career out of proving people wrong and rising to the challenge in the biggest moments and on the biggest stages. So what he did on Tuesday shouldn’t come as a surprise.
On a night the Astros honored him on the 10th anniversary of his Major League debut, Altuve electrified the crowd at Minute Maid Park by crushing home runs in each of his first two at bat and achieving a dramatic jump in line practice to lead the Astros to a 9-3 victory over the Indians. Houston improved to 6-0 against Cleveland this year.
“Tonight’s game was another dream come true,” said Altuve. “Ten years in the big leagues and we won the game. Everything went very well today and I am really happy.
Considered one of the three greatest offensive players in club history, along with Hall of Fame members Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, the Astros honored Altuve and his career with a pre-game video. Houston’s love affair with the 5-foot-6 second baseman began on July 20, 2011 and continues for a decade later.
“I thought it was pretty awesome,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “Obviously he was energized by the fact that this was his 10th year. It was a great video tribute to start the game, and he hits a home run on his first at and second at bat. It really was a way to celebrate your 10th year with the big boys. I think the fans appreciate him and he appreciates the fans. This is his city.
Altuve started the evening with his seventh homer of the season, covering about 398 feet over the wall in left field, according to Statcast. He hit a towering flying ball in the third that echoed from the left field foul post – traveling about 357 feet – which made it 2-0. Both circuits came from the Triston McKenzie Indians.
“Yes, I would have been happy to applaud him before the game, acknowledging his 10 years,” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “He didn’t need to do that. He’s a pretty incredible player. I don’t care how tall he is or how tall he is. He’s a very good player, and he’s been a good player for a long time. I don’t like to see him beat us like that, but he’s good for the game.
With a chance to play his first three-homer game since Game 1 of the 2017 American League Division Series against the Red Sox, Altuve lined up center in fourth, walked in fifth and lined up in left field in seventh. This did not diminish the magnitude of the night.
“I think over the last three or four days there have been a lot of emotions in my body,” he said. “Like I said, it’s not easy to be 10 years old. It is one thing to dream of playing for 10 years with the big boys, and it is quite another to get there. Yes, it’s very special to me and it means a lot, especially this team and the teammates and the fans.
Baker, who has played alongside, against and coached some of the game’s greatest players for the past 50 years, has praised Altuve.
“I don’t think he gets enough credit for his ability to hit all terrains,” he said. “That’s the thing. He can hit a ball over his head, he can hit a ball six inches off the ground. This guy has a huge bat blanket. And he finds the bat barrel. “Smiles as well as anyone I’ve ever seen. If you ask the opposition, I’m sure they’ll give it a lot of credit. Boy, he’s a hell of a player, a great player. L ‘one of the best players I have known, one of the best players I have seen.
Altuve started his career with a seven-game hitting streak and has amassed 1,703 hits since his Major League debut, 178 more hits than anyone in baseball in that span (Freddie Freeman of Atlanta on a 1525). That includes 155 career circuits, including 22 this year. He has nine shy home runs to tie his career high of 31 in 2019.
“You have to watch it everyday to really appreciate it,” Baker said. “Just the things he does. He’s a quality person, a great teammate and everyone respects him. He’s a quiet leader in this team. He’s a guy who, boy, his stats don’t really do justice to what he stands for for this team and what he stands for for this city.
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