Jose Altuve Wins Astros’ 2022 Heart & Hustle Award

Still receiving daily vitriol from opposing fan bases, Jose Altuve continues to prove haters wrong by winning a very meaningful award to add to his sterling baseball resume.

Jose Altuve was named the 2022 Heart & Hustle Award Winner for the Houston Astros, announced on the Astros official Twitter account on Thursday. The award is voted on by players and alumni of the MLB with one player from each team receiving the award.

https://twitter.com/astros/status/1555208102114463744?s=20&t=6WkmApZlRZM7ja5J8TsPoQ

Created by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association in 2005, the Heart & Hustle Award is presented each year to an active player from each franchise who “demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game”, per the official award page on MLB.com.

Towards the season’s end, fans, active players and alumni will have the opportunity to vote for Jose Altuve, or one of the other 29 nominees, for the league’s 17th Heart & Hustle Award. The Braves’ franchise infielder, Ozzie Albies was last season’s recipient. The award will likely be announced in November.

The Astros organization signed Jose Altuve as a 16-year-old from Venezuela back in 2007. A story that has been told time and time again – Altuve impressed scouts with his talent and strength only after he was initially turned away for being too small and presumably too young.

Since his debut in 2011, his passion for the game and the love for his teammates has never seemed to falter. Currently in his 12th Major League season, Altuve has been a Gold Glove recipient, three-time batting champion, eight-time All-Star, an American League MVP, three-time pennant winner, and World Series Champion in 2017.

Nothing has been more of a test of his character than the time since the Astros were punished for participating in sign-stealing activities. Despite reports and statements from players saying that Altuve did not participate in those activities, he undoubtedly receives the most backlash from fans, content creators and local media around the league.

As the face of the Astros franchise, he has never wavered or shied away. Even when the “F–k Altuve!” chants are at their loudest, he continues to play with grace and humility while focusing on working hard every day and helping his teammates.

Congratulations to the Astros’ 2022 Heart & Hustle Award Winner, Jose Altuve!