Altuve enters '22 already in Astros' all-time trio

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Jose Altuve has seen a little bit of everything in his career. He made his unheralded debut when the Astros were about to lose 100 games for three seasons in a row beginning in the National League, only to win at least 100 for three straight seasons only a few years later in the American League, including a World Series title.

Altuve has seen star players -- George Springer, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Correa -- come and go over the years, while he’s racked up the wins and accolades: the 2017 AL MVP Award, seven All-Star selections, five Silver Sluggers, one Gold Glove and three batting titles. He’s beloved at home, vilified on the road, and has never stopped smiling … or hitting.

At 31 years old, Altuve is arguably, along with Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell, one of the three greatest players in club history, and undoubtedly the most clutch. Coming from humble beginnings in Venezuela, Altuve finds his place in team history difficult to comprehend.

“It’s hard to believe because obviously Jeff and Craig are Hall of Famers and icons in the city,” Altuve said. “They’re very well respected, and to list my name next to those, it makes me work hard. I want to play long enough in the game and be like those guys and go from there.”

Sitting at his locker on a quiet Saturday morning at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Altuve counts the number of his Opening Days on his fingers. Thursday’s game against the Angels in Anaheim will be his 11th. Only Biggio (19) and Bagwell (15) started more.

“I’m not taking anything for granted,” Altuve said. “I thank God every day that I put the uniform on. I feel very proud about that. It’s never normal. It’s always something amazing to be wearing a big league uniform. I don’t want people to think I’m just relaxing and think this is normal. This is another Opening Day and I’m blessed to wear the Astros jersey, to be in the big leagues. I get kind of nervous every Spring Training and every Opening Day.”

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He ranks among the top eight in most of the team’s all-time offensive records, including seventh in games played, fourth in hits and first in batting average (.308). Altuve is tied with Correa for most playoff games played in club history, but no Astros player has more runs, hits, homers or total bases in the postseason. His walk-off homer to beat the Yankees and clinch the 2019 ALCS is one of the most memorable in club history.

Last season, he returned to the leadoff spot (following the departure of Springer to the Blue Jays) and tied a career high with 31 homers and set career highs with 66 walks and 117 runs, which ranked third in the AL. Altuve batted .278, putting his miserable shortened season of 2020 behind him. He’s no longer the speedy dynamo on the bases and is now a power threat.

“I’m trying to be productive,” he said. “I want to get on base, I want to be able to score runs. Last year was a good year -- 117 runs scored. That tells a lot about the season I had, the guys behind me. It was teamwork. I’m trying to get better every year. I felt like last year, even though I had a good year, I missed some opportunities, and I think now I want to execute those opportunities this year and have a great season.”

Barring injury, Altuve will likely reach 2,000 hits in the 2023 season. He starts this year with 1,777 -- putting 3,000 hits and a rubber stamp into the Hall of Fame -- in his sights.

“I’m just thinking about the present, thinking about trying to help my team to win, enjoy the boys here and have a great season,” he said.

While other players have left for larger contracts and perceived greener pastures, Altuve has remained an Astro through and through. He’s signed two contract extensions with Houston, including his most recent deal that will keep him in place through at least 2024. Like Biggio and Bagwell before him, Altuve can’t imagine playing anywhere else.

“Houston is my home,” he said. “People there are amazing. It’s unbelievable. Of course I don’t want to play anywhere but Houston.”