José Altuve

At 34 years old, José Altuve has this physical status:

José Carlos Altuve (Spanish pronunciation: [al-tue]; born May 6, 1990) is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. (MLB) In 2007, the Astros signed Altuve as an amateur free agent, and he made his major league debut in 2011. As of 2017, he was the shortest active MLB player at 5 foot 6 inches (1.68 meters). His current weight is 165 pounds (75 kg). Altuve led the American League (AL) in the division from 2014 to 2017. In that time, he has won three batting championships.

Altuve, an eight-time MLB All-Star, has been named the AL's starting second baseman five times; his eight selections with the Astros is a club record; his eight selections with the Astros is a club record. He received the Hank Aaron Award in 2017 and became a World Series champion with the Astros, both for the first time. Altuve was named co-Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated's J. J. Watt of the NFL Houston Texans for leading relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey's devastation. The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, The Sporting News Major League Player of the Year (making him the fifth player to be selected in consecutive years), and Baseball America's Major League Player of the Year were among Altuve's awards in 2017. He has also won five Silver Slugger Awards and one Rawlings Gold Glove. Altuve was named his first ALCS MVP after coming home from a dramatic, pennant-winning walk-off two-run home run off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to close the 2019 American League Championship Series and send the Astros to their second World Series in three years.

He was the first player in over 80 years to hit 130 runs and 40 stolen bases before the All-Star Game in 2014. He became the first Astro to win a batting championship in the AL during the same season, leading the AL with a.341 average. He has been involved with the AL in stolen bases twice. Altuve competed for the Venezuelan national team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC), from Maracay, Venezuela. With 23, he set the second all-time record in postseason home runs among second basemen and infielders, while being the fastest to do so in games played. He played in 31 games from 2011 to 2021, the most hits in MLB, and he also had the most 3+ hit games in MLB since 2011, with over 160. Altuve is widely considered as one of the best Astros in franchise history and one of the best second basemen of his time, as part of an era where the Astros have won a world championship and three pennants in five seasons.

Early life

Altuve, a native of Maracay, Venezuela, grew up there. Salvador Pérez, a future big leaguer who became a catcher for the Kansas City Royals at age seven, met him at age seven. The two teams met together in Maracay and several times in American League games.

Personal life

Altuve, who stood at 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m), is now listed at 5 foot 6 inches (1.68 m), making him the shortest active player in Major League Baseball and the smallest since Freddie Patek retired following the 1981 season.

Bryan Trostel created a simple web-based calculator to determine distance in Official Standard Listed Altuves, inspired by broadcasters' debate about how many "Altuves" a particular home run for. (OSLA). Although Altuve's listed height is 5 feet 6 inches (5.5 inches), one OSLA = 5.417 feet (5 inches). Altuve himself has been skeptical of the theory, saying, "It's funny, man..." I just laughed out loud when they told me how many 'Altuves' was a home run. Trostel, the computer that made his calculator How Many Altuves, has expanded it to include speed (Altuves per second), as well as cubic and squared Altuves for size and area.

Nina, an Altuve mother, gave birth to their first child, a daughter, on November 1, 2016. They live in Pearland, Texas.

Vctor Martez, a Venezuelan named hitter and catcher, has been named as a mentor by Altuve.

Altuve, a born-again Christian, has talked about his faith in videos shared by the Astros for faith day activities.

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Professional career

Altuve's first tryout camp in Maracay came at the age of 16. However, the team's scouts declined to allow him to participate because they felt he was too young and they suspected that he had lied about his age and mistook him for it. Altuve returned to the camp and obtained his birth certificate the next day, with encouragement from his father. "Can you play?" Al Pedrique, then a special assistant for the Astros, asked Altuve. "I'll show you," Altuve said in the eye. Pedrique led him to the front office, convincing them that he had the talent and endurance to play in the major leagues. After he impressed team officials, the club gave him an evaluation and then agreed to a deal as an undrafted free agent on March 6, 2007, with a $15,000 (USD, $20,000 today) bonus.

Altuve's career began in 2007 in the Venezuelan Summer League, where he reached.343, hitting.284 in 40 games for the Greeneville Astros in the Rookie-level Appalachian League, scoring.284 in 40 games. In 2009, he returned to Greeneville and scored 21 stolen bases in just 45 games, earning him a spot on the league All-Star team, team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and a move to the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A-Short Season New York-Penn League for the first time in 21 games. He started his career with the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League in 2010, scoring.308 with 39 steals and 11 home runs, earned a spot on the league all-star team, then moved to the Lancaster JetHawks in the Class A-Advanced California League, where he finished.276.

He returned to Lancaster in 2011 for a record-breaking 19 steals in 52 games. He was boosted to the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Texas League, giving him a.389 record with 24 steals, 26 walks, and 40 strikeouts in 357 minor league at-bats this year. He was named as the second baseman on Baseball America's 2011 Minor League All Star Team, as well as the Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year. In mid-summer, Altuve was called up to the major league team, effectively ending the Class AAA system.

For the first time on July 19, 2011, the Astros promoted Altuve to the major leagues for the first time. At the 2011 All-Star Futures Game, he represented the Astros. He was named second baseman on Baseball America's 2011 Minor League All-Star team. Altuve tied Russ Johnson for the most consecutive games with a hit on July 27, 2011 to start a career with 7. Altuve's first major league home run came on August 20, 2011, after an inside-the-park home run. He became the first Astros player to play on an inside-the-park home run since Adam Everett in 2003, becoming the first Astros player to win his first major league home run since 1992. He batted.346 over his first 21 games before he slowed a bit and ended the year with a.276 average. In 221 at-bats, he hit two home runs, stole seven bases, and posted a.358 slugging percentage.

In the Venezuelan Winter League, Altuve has returned to Venezuela to compete with Navegantes del Magallanes, headquartered in Valencia, Carabobo. He hit.339 on-base percentage and a.455 slugging percentage. Altuve's 2011 record stood out with 898 aggregated plate appearances, including 391 in the minors, 234 in Houston, and 273 with the Magallanes. Altuve's winter league had 82 hits, taking his overall year-end count to 282.

Altuve's Jon Rauch, the longest player in major league history, was defeated by the New York Mets reliever at 6 foot 11 inches (2.11 m) on May 1, 2012. With the exception of a 1951 publicity stunt in which a 3-foot-7-inch (1.09 m) Eddie Gaedel had one plate appearance for the St. Louis Browns, the 18-inch (460 mm) height difference is thought to be the largest between pitcher and batter. At Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, Altuve was the Astros' representative at the All-Star Game. This was his first pick in his career.

Altuve's four-year, $12.5 million contract, which included two club options for 2018 and 2019, respectively, with two club options worth $6 and $6.5 million. The agreement also provided for a $750,000 bonus that could not be received in 2013. Altuve was hitting.280, with 15 doubles, and 28 RBI at the time of the update.

Altuve stole two bases in a game against the Detroit Tigers on June 29, 2014. This made him the first MLB player since Ray Chapman in 1917 to steal two or more bases in four consecutive games. Before the All-Star Break, Altuve became the first MLB player since 1933 to have 130 hits and 40 stolen bases. Altuve was selected to the 2014 All-Star Game. Altuve and his 2012 All-Star appearance in the Astros' final season as a National League player, the first player to play in both the American and National Leagues in the All-Star Game while also being a member of the same team.

Altuve hit a single in the middle on September 16, defeating Craig Biggio's franchise single-season hit record of 210 hits. At the time when Altuve beat the record, the Astros had 11 games remaining in the season. Altuve's 158 games earned 225 hits and a.341 batting average, all of which led to the major leagues, and 56 stolen bases, which led the American League. He also hit 47 doubles, seven home runs, and 59 RBI. He was the first Astros player to win a batting championship.

Altuve moved to Japan in 2014 to compete in the 2014 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series. He was named the Breakout Everyday Player of the Year by the GIBBY/This Year in Baseball Awards as the Best Breakout Everyday Player of the Year. He earned his first Silver Slugger Award of his career as the top hitter among American League second basemen. He was also rewarded with the Luis Aparicio Award, which is also given to Venezuelan judges who have the highest individual results each year.

Altuve was named as the AL's starting second baseman for the MLB All-Star Game, defeating Kansas City's Omar Infante by more than 600,000 votes. Following Biggio and Jeff Kent, Altuve became the third Astro second baseman to be named a starter.

Altuve hit his 800th career on September 11, 2015, beating Biggio for the fastest Astro player to reach 800 hits. Altuve went 3-for-5 to reach 200 hits in the second game of the season, leading to the American League's second season, while still being the first Astros player to play in multiple 200-hit seasons and Venezuelan to reach 200 hits in the second game of the season. His.313 batting average was third best in the majors, leading the AL in stolen bases (38), and his overall batting average was third best in the majors. With each of 15 home runs,.459 SLG, 86 runs scored, and 66 RBI, he hit his then-career highs. He led the American League second basemen in fielding percentage (.993).

On the last day of the season, the Astros clinched a playoff spot against the New York Yankees, securing their spot in the AL Wild Card Game. Altuve appeared in the MLB playoffs for the first time in his career. The Astros defeated the Yankees by 30. In the seventh inning versus Yankee reliever Dellin Betances for the final run of the game, Altuve drove Jonathan Villar in Jonathan Villar. In the American League Division Series (ALDS), the Astros next met the Royals, but the Astros were disqualified in five games.

On November 10, 2015, Altuve received his first base award in his career with the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He also received his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award.

For his role in the month of June 2016, Altuve was named AL Player of the Month for the first time in his career. In 26 games, he had batted.420, six doubles, four home runs, 15 RBI, six stolen bases, and 1.212 OPS (.492 SLG). For the fourth time in his career, he was selected in an All-Star team, and it was his second time.

After a three-hit night versus the St. Louis Cardinals on August 16, Altuve hit his 1,000th hit, breaking the Astros' franchise record for the fewest games to do so (786). Following Ichiro Suzuki's (696 games), he was the second fastest among active players to do so.

Altuve had a career-leading 216 hits, an AL-leading.338 batting average, and 30 stolen bases in 161 games. He also saw a power surge with 42 doubles (his second straight season with 40+ doubles), a career-high 24 home runs, and a career-best 96 RBI. This was his second batting title, the last being in 2014.

Altuve received the Sports News Player of the Year Award, MLB Player of the Year, AL Outstanding Player, and the Majestic Athletic Always Game Award at the end of the season. He came third in the AL MVP poll, behind champion Mike Trout and Mookie Betts.

Altuve batted leadoff and played second base in the All-Star Game at Marlins Park in Miami, and was voted as a starter. During the 2017 season, he was the Astros' number three hitter. On July 23–24, he set the club record for hits in consecutive plate appearances with eight, beating the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies.

Altuve's fifth-highest average in one month since 1961 stood at.485 in July. Over 23 games, he has earned 48 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 21 RBI, and 1.251 OPS. From July 2 to 23, he had a 19-game hitting streak. During the week of July 3–9, he played five straight multi-hit games, becoming the ninth player in MLB history to do so. His average set the Astros' record for one calendar month, beating Richard Hidalgo's.476 average in September of 2000, and he received his second AL Player of the Month Award.

Altuve's 2017 season came to an end with a.346 average, an AL-leading 204 hits, a major-league-leading 30 infield hits, 32 stolen bases, 24 home runs, and 84 RBI. At.344, he led all MLB hitters (140 or more plate appearances) in batting average against right-handers. The Astros set a record of 101, clinching the AL West division. Altuve's fifth hitter since its inception in 1947 to have four straight 200-hit seasons, starting with Wade Boggs (1989), Suzuki (1986-1989), and Michael Young (2003-07). While still winning his third batting title in his career, he was the first hitter in Major League history to solely lead his respective league in hits for four years in a row. Suzuki led the AL in hits from 2006 to 2010, but Dustin Pedroia tied for second place in 2008. For the first time in his career, Altuve led MLB in Wins Above Replacement (WAR, 8.3). (27.4) He was also the top-speed runner in the American League (27.4). He was announced on September 19 as the player "who best exemplifies Gehrig's giving character" of the Gehrig award. Only Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, and Pete Rose had more hits in their age-27 season than they had during their career.

Altuve's first game of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox was a single home run in a single game of his career, making him the tenth player to reach three home runs in a single postseason game. In the American League Championship Series (ALCS), the Astros defeated the New York Yankees. Altuve and the Astros offense lost all three middle games at Yankee Stadium after losing both of the first two games in Houston, with Altuve scoring the winning run in Game 2. He won by 40, Game 7 victory, the Astros' second World Series in franchise history, against the National League pennant-winning Los Angeles Dodgers, after a solo home run.

Altuve, along with two Astros teammates, Carlos Correa and George Springer, and two Dodgers players, Charlie Culberson and Yasiel Puig, all homered in extra innings as the Astros defeated the Astros 7-6 in Game 2 of the World Series. The five home runs were the most home runs in extra innings of any single game in major league history. Altuve came home in the fifth inning of Game 5, tying the score 7-7 and hitting a game-tying double in the eighth before the Astros took the field 13-12 in the eighth inning with a walk-off single from Alex Bregman. The World Series went on for seven games, and the Astros won for the first time in franchise history.

Altuve batted.388/.634, 14 runs scored, seven home runs, 14 RBI, and nine extra-base hits in the Astros' 18-game championship run. In a postseason, he set a franchise record for total hits. He also tied for home runs by a second baseman in a single postseason, placing him fourth-most among all players. Altuve was named the 2017 postseason's MVP, alongside pitcher Justin Verlander.

Altuve was named with the Hank Aaron Award, his first appearance in the American League, ahead of Game 2 of the World Series. It was the first time a Houston Astros fan had won the grand prize. He was named The Sporting News Major League Player of the Year for the second year in a row, following Ted Williams (1941) and Albert Pujols (2008-2013) as repeat winners in consecutive years of the award given out since 1936. Altuve's Major League Player of the Year award in 2017 included Baseball America's Major League Player of the Year award, the first Venezuelan since Johan Santana in 2006 to receive the award bestowed since 1998. He was also the first baseman and first Astro ever to win it. He received the Players Choice Awards for Major League Player of the Year and AL Outstanding Player for the second year in a row. At second base, he received his fourth consecutive and overall Silver Slugger Award.

Altuve's involvement in the 2017 World Series captured national attention in the Houston Astros' sign stealing scandal. Altuve said, "I'm not going to say to you that it's fine," he was accused of wearing a wire and stealing signs. We're sorry, we're afraid, and we're sad," as I said, the impact on the players, the effects on the game, and the game's success — we're sad."

On November 3, 2017, the Astros selected Altuve's option for 2018, which was worth $6 million. The AL Most Valuable Player Award was given to Altuve on November 16, the second Astro to win the award, after Jeff Bagwell in 1994. Altuve gained the tenth second baseman to be named MVP, and he was the shortest player to win since Phil Rizzuto, who was 5'6" in 1950. Altuve made history by becoming the first player since Buster Posey in 2012 — and the eighth overall — to win a batting title, MVP, and World Series in the same season. J. J. Watt, the defensive end of the Houston Astros and second in the wake of Hurricane Harvey's recovery, was named co-winners of the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Award on December 5. Altuve became the 18th Major League Baseball player to win the award in its 64-year history, and the first Houston Astro and first Venezuelan player to win the award. He was also named the 2017 Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year.

Sports Illustrated ranked Altuve as the second best player in baseball ahead of the 2018 season, trailing only Trout. Altuve and the Astros also agreed to a five-year, $151 million contract extension that will run through the 2020–24 seasons on March 16, 2018. In 2018, he had a $6 million salary and a $6.5 million team option in 2019. It was the first contract in team history, and he became the sixth player to commit to a deal with an average annual income of $30 million or more.

On April 17, 2018, Altuve defeated the Seattle Mariners in his first game played in his career. He was the 20th player to play in 1,000 games for the Astros. He hit a base in every one of his ten consecutive at bats, defeating his own record of eight set the year prior. Three doubles, one triple, and one home run were all within the streak.

Altuve was voted the starting second baseman in the American League on July 8, 2018, winning the most votes of any player with 4,849,630 votes. It was his sixth All-Star pick overall, his 5th appearance in a row, and his fourth straight start. Altuve's right knee pains led to his first appearance on the disabled list in his MLB career on July 29. The Astros announced that Altuve would continue to be the designated hitter for the remainder of the season after being plagued with a right knee injury. Altuve finished with a.316 average, 13 home runs, and 61 RBI in 137 games.

With the Astros winning the AL West again in 2009, the team clinched the AL West, sweeping the Cleveland Indians in three games before falling to the Red Sox in the ALCS. Altuve's right knee joint fracture was repaired by surgery on October 19, 2018. Altuve received his fifth Silver Slugger Award on November 8 for his fifth career and fifth in a row. He received his fifth award at second base, placing him second overall and second overall behind Robinson Canó for most awards for an American League second baseman and second most all-time behind Ryne Sandberg.

Off Jonathan Loáisiga of the New York Yankees, Altuve scored his 100th home run on April 9, 2019. He became the 16th player in Astros history to reach 100 home runs. In a 10–6 victory over the Seattle Mariners on April 12, Altuve scored his second grand slam in his career and first since 2014. Altuve will face Félix Hernández again in the third straight game with a home run and sixth home run in that span. In five games since Morgan Ensberg's franchise-record six consecutive games in 2006.

On May 12 with a left hamstring strain, Altuve was ruled on the injured list, and he was out for 35 games until returning against the Cincinnati Reds on June 19. He had hit nine home runs at the time, but his overall batting average was down from his career-best of.243/.472 (117 wRC+).

Altuve won by 9–8 over the Colorado Rockies on July 2, 2019, hitting second in the seventh for his third of four hits. Altuve defeated Jeff Bagwell for second-most in Astros history in his 142nd career three-hit game, behind Craig Biggio (225). It was also Altuve's second straight game with at least three hits, a 6–1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on June 30. On July 14, he took his third grand slam and second of the season, giving the Astros their ninth grand slam in a single season.

In his 1,190th career game, Altuve defeated the St. Louis Cardinals on July 28, one of three hits in a 6–2 win that afternoon. Suzuki, Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, Nomar Garciaparra, Tony Gwynn, and Derek Jeter were the only participants in the divisional play era to reach the record faster.

Altuve batted.298/.353/.550 with 31 home runs and 74 RBIs in 500 at bats in the regular season.

In October, Altuve's hot hitting continued. Altuve beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3–2 during the ALDS for three home runs. Altuve scored his 11th home run in his franchise in Game 5, the most by any second baseman in baseball, and tied for the most postseason home runs by a Houston Astros player. The Astros won the ALCS due to Altuve's triumph. For the second time in three seasons, Houston defeated Aroldis Chapman in Game 6 with a deep shot off Aroldis Chapman. It was the fifth walkoff home run to put an LCS to an end. Altuve was named the ALCS MVP for his efforts in the series, batting.348 with 2 home runs, 3 RBIs, 6 runs scored, and a 1.097 OPS. He also set the most career home runs by a second baseman (13). In the 2019 World Series, the Astros lost to the Washington Nationals because he hit.303 with no home runs and one RBI.

In 2020, he batted.219/.344/.344 with 5 home runs and 18 RBI in 192 at bats. Altuve's 300th double in his MLB career on July 27, 2020. Altuve won the Venezuelan with the most home runs in postseason history on October 7, 2020; he is tied for fifth-most home runs in postseason history with Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson. Altuve's starter Tyler Glasnow made the fastest pitches hit for home runs in 2020 in Game 4 of the ALCS. Altuve made the most RBI in the playoffs on October 15, 2020.

He batted.378/.565 in 48 at bats in the postseason.

Altuve's grand slam against the Texas Rangers on June 15, 2021. Altuve's first home run against Texas continued on the next day with a lead-off home run; the first player in major league history to have scored a walk-off grand slam and then hit a lead-off home run in the following game. Altuve made his 150th home run on June 23, taking over from Baltimore Oriolist Thomas Eshelman.

Altuve was named to his seventh All-Star Game on July 4, 2021, after finishing as the runner-up AL second baseman in fan voting, tying the Astros franchise record of Chris Biggio for the most career All-Star game picks.

Altuve's home run off Madison Bumgarner of the Arizona Diamondbacks was a home run in the stadium on September 17, 2021, tying him for most hits by an Astro in the area. He then beat Berkman with a double late night.

Altuve's 73rd postseason appearance as a member of Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and Yuli Gurriel, the Yankees' most postseason appearances in major league history, defeated Derek Jeter, Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill, and Bernie Williams, who had started 68 games together. Altuve tied for the most runs scored in one postseason in 77 total plate appearances during the 2021 playoffs, defeating Carlos Beltran for the most runs scored in one postseason.

Altuve doubled for the third time in his career on May 19, 2022, tying for fourth in Astros history with César Cede's tie for fourth. He also had a season-high four hits to help the Rangers win 5–1. In a 7–6 loss, he reached base four times against the Yankees on June 23 and hit two doubles and two doubles. Altuve played in his 1,500th game in his career, defeating the Los Angeles Angels in a game that went 3-for-5.

In the MLB All-Star Game on July 8, Altuve was named the starter at second base for the American League. It was his eighth pick overall and fifth as a starter, with both establishing franchise records. (.368), on-base percentage (.368), slugging percentage (.907), and home runs (17) led AL second basemen in on-base percentage (.368). Craig Biggio (seven) previously held the most appearances.

He went 4-for-4 against the Boston Red Sox on August 3, ties his career high and tied for most four-hit games in team history (34). On August 5, Altuve was named the Astros' Heart & Hustle Award winner, making him a candidate for the major league award in November. Altuve doubled twice, walked twice, scored twice, and drove in two runs lead in a 5–3 victory over Texas on August 31. On September 4 against the Angels, Altuve was 3-for-4 with a home run, double, and three RBI, resulting in a 9–1 victory. Altuve's 12th three-hit game of the season on September 11 against the Angels. Altuve's leadoff home run against the Rays on September 19 began to the Astros' scoring in a 4–0 win to win their fifth AL West division title in the first six seasons. Altuve's leadoff home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks was on September 27, which was a leadoff home run. It was his twelfth leadoff home run this season, beating the Astros' team record set by George Springer in 2019.

Altuve batted.300 in the 2022 regular season, his first appearance since 2018 and tied his career high with 66 walks in 141 games. He came eighth in batting, fourth in each of OBP (.387), SLG (.533), and OPS (.921), and third in OPS+ (160). With 103 runs scored and stolen base percentage (94.74, 18-for-19), he came in second in doubles (39), and tenth in total bases (281). (158), he led the Astros in runs scored and base hits.

Altuve's third game, which ended in a season-record-tying 18 innings, had a 0-for-16 record in an ALDS sweep of the Mariners, with a career-worst 0-for-8. In Game 3 of the 2022 ALCS, the hitless streak continued to 25 at bats, the highest to start a postseason, until Altuve's opposite-field double in the fifth inning.

International career

In international competition, Altuve represents Venezuela. He appeared in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, splitting time at second and third base with Rougned Odor. Venezuelan boss Omar Vizquel was chastised after learning that neither Altuve nor Odor had ever played third base in the majors; both players made mistakes in the second round, resulting in Venezuela's early withdrawal from the tournament. Vizquel defended his managerial choices by saying, "There's nothing we can do about it." We're trying to get some runs for us [...] It's impossible for one guy to get into the lineup sometimes. I can't even think about Altuve and Odor." Altuve slashed.259/.259/.259/.259/.259 for seven hits and one RBI in Venezuela's 2017 campaign.

Altuve announced on August 17, 2022, that he would return to Venezuela for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

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