THE CASE FOR JOSE ALTUVE

The case for Houston’s Mount Rushmore: Jose Altuve

The case for Houston’s Mount Rushmore: Jose Altuve
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When Jeff Bagwell retired following the 2005 MLB season, the then 37-year-old first baseman ended his career as the Houston Astros' most celebrated player in franchise history. He held several all-time records at the time of his retirement, and still holds the Astros' highest batting average in a single-season (.368) set in 1994 — which led to a unanimous MVP.

Bagwell will forever be one of the greatest athletes to represent Space City, but the absence of a World Series title has reduced his chances to be placed atop Mount Rushmore. The one player who is well on his way to — and in some cases has— surpassed the Hall of Famer is current Astros' second baseman, Jose Altuve. What Altuve has accomplished in his first nine seasons in Houston is enough to engrave the Venezuela native atop of the city's pinnacle.

"Don't be content with being average. Be better. Work harder. Be great." These are the words Altuve wrote to himself in an inspirational letter penned to himself prior to the Astros' 2019 postseason run. The message was aimed to increase his confidence, but the self-written letter symbolizes the theme of his career more than a self-esteem booster.

When he arrived in Houston during the spring of 2011, the Astros were in disarray. They failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth time since 2005, finishing the 2010 season with a 76-86 record. Although he did not have much of an impact as a rookie, Altuve's production through 57 games solidified a bright future for the team. He batted .346 over his first 21 games before falling off a little to end his rookie season with a .276 average. The following year, Altuve received his first of six All-Star selections in 2012 hitting .290 with 33 stolen bases, 34 doubles, and 37 RBIs.

Since his first two seasons, Altuve has established himself as one of the most decorated players in franchise history capturing: Five Silver Slugger awards. Led the American League in stolen bases twice (2014 & 2015). And received a Golden Glove honor in 2015. His career accolades have already placed Altuve as an all-time great, but what separates him from Bagwell and the rest of the Astros' legends is his 2017 season.

In his seventh year, Altuve arguably had the greatest individual season in Astros history. For the first time since 2001, Houston finished first in their division with a 101-61 record, as Altuve took home the 2017 American League Hank Aaron Award, and his third batting title slashing .346/.410/.547 with 24 home runs and 81 RBIs. His outstanding play earned Altuve his first MVP award, as the 5-foot-6 second baseman became the shortest player to receive the honor since Phil Rizzuto in 1950 (Yankees).

The season ended with Altuve helping the Astros capture their first title in a World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Altuve further cemented his legacy in Houston off the diamond by raising millions alongside Houston Texans' star J.J. Watt, to help the city recover from its devastation from Hurricane Harvey.

Following the fallout from the sign-stealing scandal, his image has taken an inadequate hit, but it is not enough to discredit the greatness Altuve has put on display since 2011. A multi-time All-Star. An MVP. And a champion. It's quite a story Altuve is putting together for a 16-year-old baseball hopeful who was once denied a chance to participate in the Astros tryout camp due to his height.

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The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.

Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”

The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.

They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.

Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.

“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”

Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.

What's working

The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.

Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.

What needs help

The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.

Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.

Stock up

RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.

Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.

“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”

Stock down

Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.

Injuries

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.

Key number

3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.

Next steps

The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.

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