The 2014 Houston Astros had another dismal start to what appeared then as another dismal season. After play ended on April 30, the Astros’ record was 9-19, 10 games under .500. During May, they played over .500 ball (15-14). They slipped back down some in June and on July 1 and 2 (12-17), giving them a total record of 36-50 as play begins on July 3.
While the Astros’ record does not look all that impressive, the fact that they have played close to .500 ball for the past two months provides Astros fans with hope for the very near future. The young studs such as George Springer, Jon Singleton, and Chris Carter combined with top prospects such as Domingo Santana (just called up) and pitcher Brady Aiken (2014 #1 draft pick) give fans even more hope.
One player almost as young and just as much a stud has battled through the Astros’ recent dismal years, and this year, he is providing the sparks and leadership for the young talent to follow. Second baseman Jose Altuve, age 24, gets it done in the field, on the bases, and from both sides of the plate. So far in 2014, Altuve leads the American League in average (.343), hits (118), and stolen bases (37).
Altuve made history on the base paths on June 29. During the fifth inning of the Astros’ game with the Seattle Mariners, Altuve stole second base, giving him 37 for the season. The steal also helped Altuve accomplish a task that only two other Major Leaguers have accomplished since 1900. See the historic stolen base here.
A July 2 Astros Press Release announced that Altuve became only the third player since 1900 to steal multiple bases in four consecutive games — and the first since the Cleveland Indians’ Ray Chapman in 1917 — 97 years ago. Bill Dahlen of the New York Giants also turned the trick in 2004.
With this feat, Altuve’s feet — or rather what he had on them — will forever stand in the Major League Baseball hall of Fame. Altuve’s cleats will sit in the 2014 version of “This Year in Baseball” for the rest of the season and then move to the Houston Astros’ locker for permanent display.
The press release quotes a statement from the Hall of Fame’s Vice President of Communications and Education Brad Horn discussing the significance of the stolen base and his pleasure at having Altuve’s cleats in the Hall. Said Horn,
“Jose’s feat of four straight multi-stolen base games spans nearly a century of baseball since its last accomplishment by Ray Chapman in 1917. We are honored that Jose has donated his spikes from the final game of that streak to represent this historic feat, as well as his magnificent year on the base paths.“
Congratulations to Jose Altuve on making Major League history. He is a very solid player who will help lead the Astros back into perennial contention before too long. Even if Altuve does not make it into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame five years after he retires, he can rest assured knowing that a part of his game already has.
PHOTO Credit: James Parker of MLB Scouting Reports
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