NY author causes stir with Houston Astros book, but it's not about “that”
BEST OF THE BEST
28 February 2024
While the Astros are in Florida preparing for another deep playoff run in 2024, a new book about the club is set to drop on March 5. The book is written by New York author Robert W. Cohen and is titled, The 50 Greatest Players in Houston Astros History.
With a title like that, we know not everyone is going to be pleased with the list. And the book hasn't even been officially released yet.
However, the list has been leaked and Astros fans have thoughts, as one would expect. So let's start with Jose Altuve's placement on the list. Many believe Altuve is already the best Astro ever, based on all the incredible playoff moments he's provided during the greatest stretch of baseball in franchise history. That, along with two championships, has many believing he's a no-brainer to come in at No.1.
To the dismay of many Houston fans, Altuve is ranked 3rd behind Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio respectively. The rest of the top five includes No.4 Lance Berkman, and No.5 Roy Oswalt.
Some other points of contention on the list include Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan at No.16 and future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander at No.17.
Upon further review of these rankings, the picture is becoming very clear. This list was put together with a focus on total resumes with the Astros.
With that being the measuring stick, Altuve coming in behind Bagwell and Biggio makes sense. They're already in the Hall of Fame and have had more regular-season success than Altuve.
We expect Altuve to finish his career as the best Astro ever, but according to the criteria, he still has work to do. Altuve is 1,013 hits behind Biggio, and his career OPS (.834) is much lower than Bagwell's (.948).
The argument for Altuve has always been about being clutch in the postseason. Altuve already has the second-most postseason home runs (27) in MLB history, behind only Manny Ramirez (29).
Be sure to watch the video above as we address the debate over Altuve's ranking and many other surprising placements on the list.
Teaser: Does Yordan Alvarez crack the Top 20? Mash the video above to find out!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan every Monday on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel.
We'll continue to drop videos throughout the week!
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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