Jose Altuve, also known as "The little man", overcame all negativity towards him and all rumours about size. Despite his small frame, he brought home the Most valuable player award!
The story of Jose Altuve is one of almost myth; something baseball fans or sports fans in general could come to understand why.
Jose Altuve is probably one of the smallest athletes ever to set foot on a professional baseball field, let alone to be playing for a Major League Basebal team, especially a good one like the Astros.
Jose Altuve is measured in at 5'5, 165 lbs. This is considered extremely small, and some would even say fragile. Altuve's size has brought him many hardships on his road to the bigs.
The most famous struggle is probably the story of how Altuve made it to professional baseball in the first place.
During Jose Altuves road to the show, he tried out for the Astros in hope of escaping with a contract to play professional baseball. However, to many of his supporters suprise, he was cut, never to show up again. This however, just didnt make any sense.
Since the moment Altuve was on the professional seen, his numbers were always pretty decent, enough so to get attention atleast.
This is why its all the more suprising that he got cut from that tryout. Although, most upcoming athletes could probably share with you why he was cut; it was his size.
Athletes nowadays are subject to strict critique from scouts and other coaches, to see if they have what it takes to make it to the next level. However, skills and accolades arent the only thing that scouts and coaches look for. Appearance is a big factor, and to the naked eye, altuve does not look too impressive.
This disadvantage gave Altuve a lot of negativity as eyes were pointed down at him from the people he needed to impress the most, however, also earned him a loyal fanbase, willing to see his story to the end, the under dog willing to surpass expectations and create new limits.
Altuves first year in the majors, 2011, was a pretty average season, but if you look at it as him being a rookie, it was pretty good. Altuve netted in a .276 batting average at just over 220 at bats, showing that he may have some potential in him.
This was only the beginning, after Altuves first year, he has shown nothing but improvement; a steady incline across his next two seasons, until his first breakout season in 2014.
In 2014 Altuve impressed everyone. His season totals for 2014 were as follows: 660 at bats, an impressive 225 hits and a whopping .341 batting average.
He showed everyone he could do it, and was challenged by competitors and fans to do it again.....and he has!
Since 2014 Altuve has currrently had a 200 or more hit season, everyone single season. His production has gone through the roof and its not seeming likley that he will cool off, as he adds something new to his stat line every season. Even power has shown these last two seasons in 2016 and 2017 as hes sat at an even 24 homerunes each of these seasons.
Altuve has taken the Majors by storm and has turned heads long enough!
His 2017 stat line was just incredible! Pulling in a career high .346 batting average across 590 at bats, now tally in 24 homeruns and 84 rbi! Altuve is truly a foe to be reckoned with at the plate.
Its no wonder he escaped with the American League MVP.
