It’s no secret that Houston Astros stars Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are two of the most beloved players in franchise history. From eight All-Star appearances to two World Series championships, Altuve and Bregman have been instrumental in the team’s success over the years. Now, it looks like the Astros are looking to keep the core of the team together, with general manager Dana Brown expressing his desire to lock up Altuve, Bregman, All-Star left-hander Framber Valdez, and All-Star right-fielder Kyle Tucker. And it seems Altuve is on the same page, as he recently expressed his desire to finish his career in Houston.
This is an exciting time for Astros fans, as the team looks to keep its core together and build on its recent success. With Altuve, Bregman, Valdez, and Tucker all signed through 2024, the Astros have the opportunity to remain competitive for the foreseeable future. But what makes Altuve’s success even more remarkable is the fact that he’s the only player in franchise history to endure three consecutive 100-loss seasons and still be around to enjoy the team’s recent success.
It’s not just Altuve’s longevity that makes him special, though. A glance at the Astros’ all-time offensive stats shows Altuve, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Bagwell as the most accomplished offensive players in franchise history. Altuve ranks first in batting average (.307), third in doubles (379), fourth in runs (986) and hits (1,935) and fifth in games played (1,578) and homers (192). Altuve also had a tremendous 2022 season, hitting .300 with 28 homers, 57 RBIs, 103 runs and 18 steals.
Altuve’s success on the field is only matched by his commitment to his country. Altuve recently returned to his native Venezuela for the first time since the offseason following the 2017 campaign, and he will represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic next month. Altuve is an inspiration to his teammates and a source of pride for his country, and it’s clear that he is determined to make the most of his remaining time in Houston.
It’s a great time to be an Astros fan, as the team looks to keep its core together and build on its recent success. With Altuve’s commitment to the team and his country, there’s no telling what heights the team can reach in the coming years.
Source: www.mlb.com