World Champs: Ranking the Eight Astros Most Deserving of their Rings

2) Jose Altuve

Jose Altuve’s place in Astros’ history has long been secured. He’s an MVP, 8x All-Star, Gold Glove winner, 5x Silver Slugger, has won three batting titles and has hit 23 playoff home runs during the Astros’ reign of terror over the last six years.

Across baseball, his place in history has been much more complicated. As the most famous Astro of this era, he has become the face of a scandal in which he was not an active participant. He has faced ludicrous debates about his “usage” of a buzzer, claims that have been long since debunked.

Altuve has done his part, apologizing for something he had no part in, but when dealing with passionate fanbases, facts and reason can go out the window.

Each road trip, Altuve digs into the box, and is met with a chorus of boss (and often much worse), but has handled it with class and grace.

Altuve even remained calm in the ALCS when a fan rushed the field and tried to take a selfie with him in the middle of the game.

His philanthropy is legendary, he fulfills promises in the community and his teammates and coaches rave about the quality human being that is Jose Altuve. On top of that, he’s a future Hall-of-Famer.

Altuve came up with the Astros during the 100-loss seasons, but won over a city with his on-field performance, heart, humility, and the exuberance with which he played the game. He’s beloved here, and while the hatred elsewhere may not dwindle, he can now point to his two rings, one without any tarnish, and check off another box on his way to Cooperstown.