VYPE
The fog has also lifted on Matta.
Originally Appeared on VYPE
Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, right?
That's a tough lesson for any high school student when faced with adversity.
Ryan Matta has faced adversity over the past year, which nearly derailed his football experience at Fort Bend Christian Academy.
But like any adult would say, it could have been worse.
Matta was spending the summer in Lebanon with his family two summers ago. He couldn't have imagined what would happen next, while having fun on an ATV.
"I was driving an ATV and going around a turn. There was water or oil on the ground and I drifted. A car was coming towards me. I had to make a quick turn and to keep from falling out I had to put my hand down. The ATV landed on my hand a dragged it along the ground."
The pain, frustration and uncertainty would plague him the next year-and-a-half. He would eventually lose two fingers.
"Throughout last year, I had 11 surgeries," he said. "Just the process of trying to regain my strength and actually being able to function without two fingers was not just a physical thing, but a mental thing. Sometimes I'm just worried about being judged."
He couldn't even think about touching the field, witnessing a rough season from the sidelines. FBCA couldn't finish due to lack of players.
The fog has lifted for the Eagles with new coach Jordan Black guiding the ship. FBCA won their first game 53-52 over Brazos High School. He was back on the field helping his squad.
The story continues here
Jose Altuve asked manager Joe Espada to move him out of the leadoff spot and into the second hole for the Houston Astros.
The reason? He wanted more time to get ready to hit in the bottom of the first inning after coming into the dugout from left field.
Altuve is playing left for the first time in his career after spending his first 14 major league seasons at second base.
“I just need like 10 more seconds,” he said.
The 34-year-old Altuve made the transition to the outfield this season after the trade of Kyle Tucker and the departure of Alex Bregman shook up Houston’s lineup.
Jeremy Peña was in the top spot Monday night against Detroit. Altuve had two hits, including a two-run homer, and three RBIs to help the Astros to an 8-5 win. It was the first time since 2023 he batted anywhere besides leadoff.
“I enjoy playing baseball,” Altuve said. “I love playing, especially with these guys. I like being in the lineup. In the end it doesn’t really matter if I play second or left, if I lead off or not. I just want to be in the lineup and help this team to win.”
Altuve didn’t suggest that Peña take his leadoff spot.
“I just told Joe that maybe he can hit me second some games at some point and he did it today,” Altuve said. “I just need like that little extra time to come from left field, and he decided to put Jeremy (there).”
Peña is hitting .265 with three homers and 11 RBIs. He batted first in Sunday’s 7-3 win over Kansas City — with Altuve getting a day off — and had two hits and three RBIs. He added two more hits and scored twice Monday.
Along with giving him a little extra time to get ready to bat, Altuve thinks the athletic Peña batting leadoff could give a boost to a lineup that has struggled at times this season.
“Jeremy is one of those guys that has been playing really good for our team,” Altuve said. “He’s taking really good at-bats. He’s very explosive and dynamic on the bases, so when he gets on base a lot of things can happen. Maybe I can bunt him over so Yordan (Alvarez) can drive him in.”
Altuve is a nine-time All-Star. The 2017 AL MVP is hitting .282 with four homers and 12 RBIs this season.
Espada said he and Altuve often share different ideas about the team and they had been talking about this possibility for a while before the manager made the move.
“He’s always looking for ways to get everyone involved and he’s playing left field, comes in, maybe give him a little bit more time to get ready between at-bats, just a lot of things that went into this decision," Espada said. "He’s been around, he knows himself better than anyone else here, so hopefully this could create some opportunities for everyone here and we can score some runs.”