'He's special': Clutch Altuve underappreciated by opposing fans

HOUSTON -- Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is the kind of player who should be celebrated by baseball fans from coast to coast, an underdog who defied the odds to become one of the most clutch performers in the game. He plays the game the right way and with a passion that oozes pure joy.

There’s already a case to be made that Altuve is the greatest player in Astros history. He was a cornerstone on two World Series championship teams, won the AL MVP Award in 2017 and is in the top three in Houston’s all-time offensive charts in many categories, alongside Hall of Famers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. His 23 playoff homers are second-best in postseason history.

Astros fans understand the treasure that is Altuve and he’s treated as Astros royalty in Houston. On the road, Altuve is still a villain -- and probably unfairly so. Altuve is routinely booed on the road when he’s introduced as Houston’s leadoff hitter. It may have bothered him a few years ago, but it doesn’t seem to now. He rakes on the road.

And that’s what baseball fans outside of Houston are missing -- Altuve at his best, thriving in a hostile environment. A great player doing great things. By all accounts, Altuve didn’t participate in Houston’s sign-stealing scheme in 2017, and the notion he was wearing a buzzer when he socked a walk-off homer off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman to send the Astros to the World Series in 2019 has been debunked.

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“Jose Altuve is not just a great baseball player, but he’s a great human being,” shortstop Jeremy Peña said. “He’s a great leader, he’s a great friend and a joyful person. That’s a shame that he still gets some hate from fans, but I know he plays for the people that believe in him, and he keeps a positive mentality every single day.”

Outfielder Chas McCormick thinks it’s time for opposing fans to move on. It’s time for them to appreciate Altuve and his impeccable bat-to-balls skills and his Hall of Fame résumé. At 33 years old, Altuve isn’t slowing down. He hit .311 with 17 homers and 51 RBIs and 14 steals in 90 games this year.

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“[The booing] is a little old,” McCormick said. “Watching Altuve, he’s one of the greatest teammates ever and one of the greatest baseball players ever. It’s pretty awesome to be a part of, obviously.”

If you ask Altuve about himself or how he deals with the naysayers, you’ll have the same fate as a pitcher that grooves him a first-pitch fastball: you’ll lose. He doesn't like talking about himself, choosing instead to gush about his teammates.

“Just try to focus on the game everywhere I go, even here” he said Friday when asked about his road reception. “Just get my pitch and swing the bat.”

Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, who was taken under Altuve’s wing when he reached the big leagues in 2015, said there’s appreciation for Altuve amidst the boo birds.

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“They boo him, but I feel like it's entertainment for the fans to just go out there and do that,” Correa said. “But at the same time, they're enjoying what he's doing on the field, and they appreciate his talent. He's going to be a Hall of Famer one day. There's no doubt about that.

"He's special. He's helped this organization get the two championships that they've won, and he's been a big part of everything that's been accomplished here in Houston.”

Yet, Correa called the booing “tired” and says Altuve just doesn’t care about it anymore.

“I think he performs even better when people do that,” he said. “He's a guy that has great character. Nobody has anything bad to say about him, only great things. He's definitely one of the best players we've ever seen.”

Altuve, who earlier this year reached 2,000 career hits and hit for his first cycle, needs six home runs to tie Manny Ramirez (29) for most in postseason history. Altuve's 103 hits are tied with Jorge Posada for fourth-most in playoff history. These are accomplishments to be cheered and appreciated before a Hall of Fame career ends.

“I think he is not only one of the best players of our generation, but one of the best postseason performers of our generation, if not the best,” third baseman Alex Bregman said. “He’s had moment after moment and he’s so fun to watch play. Obviously, I get a front-row seat to it every day being his teammate, but he’s incredible and he always rises to the occasion.

"He’s always ready to play. He loves playing baseball. You can see it with a smile on his face all the time.”