Altuve, Alvarez headed to Arlington as All-Star starters
TORONTO — For a couple of years now, Yordan Alvarez has heard Jose Altuve tell whoever wants to hear it: Alvarez is one of the best hitters Altuve has seen.
That’s high praise coming from a 14-year veteran and former American League MVP.
“I always tell him that he’s putting pressure on me every time he says these things,” Alvarez said in Spanish, smirking from the visitors’ dugout at Rogers Centre. “I have to keep doing things well to make him look good.”
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That extra motivation seems to be paying off, and Alvarez now has one milestone to share with his accomplished teammate.
Both Alvarez and Altuve have been voted as starters for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field in Arlington, the league announced on Wednesday. This is Alvarez’s third selection and his first start, which will come as the designated hitter for the AL team. Altuve reaches his ninth All-Star nod — a new Astros franchise record — and his sixth start at second base.
But this is one of those things that never gets old.
“It’s hard to believe, coming from Venezuela at 17 years old and joining the Astros, then [17] years later, [getting my] ninth All-Star [selection],” Altuve said ahead of the game against the Blue Jays. “It’s a dream come true. … It’s another one, but it feels like the first.
It was a true first for Joe Espada, who got to deliver the good news from the manager’s office alongside his coaching staff.
“First of all, we’re lucky and blessed to have two great players like that,” said Espada. “I’ve been managing and around those guys for the last couple of years. We congratulate them.”
Alvarez and Altuve profile as very different hitters. What they share is the consistency and work ethic that draws high praise from teammates and coaches alike.
A native of Cuba, the 27-year-old Alvarez has hit .297 with a .911 OPS, 18 homers and 46 RBIs heading into Wednesday’s game. He found his stride in June, having posted a .355 average with a 1.188 OPS and more walks (12) than strikeouts (10) from the start of last month through Tuesday.
