Astros second baseman Jose Altuve got off to rough start to the World Series with an 0-for-5, three-strikeout night in Game 1. But Game 2 was an entirely different story for the seven-time All-Star. Altuve went 2 for 5 with a home run in Houston’s 7-2 win to tie up the series in Game 2.
But even early in the World Series, Altuve was actively paying respects to an opponent. He cut off Alex Rodriguez to get that point across.
Altuve joined the Fox Sports postgame show after Wednesday’s win, and as A-Rod was asking Altuve about the uncharacteristic strikeouts in Game 1, Altuve jumped in to remind A-Rod who the pitcher was: Charlie Morton — one of the nastiest pitchers in the game.
I know they’re former teammates, but I love when players show this kind of public respect for opposing players. Charlie Morton deserves it, ESPECIALLY after last night. pic.twitter.com/XI8zKldKQB
— Kelsey Wingert (@KelsWingert) October 28, 2021
Altuve interrupted A-Rod to say:
“Yeah, but it’s Charlie Morton … It was Charlie being Charlie. He’s so good. I’m so sad for him right now. I wish him a pretty quick recovery. But yeah, he’s the kind of guy — he’s been in as many World Series as any other player. He likes to pitch in those games. He’s really good. I don’t know if he’s a better pitcher or a better person because he’s a great guy too. I love the way he is.”
Morton exited Game 1 of the World Series after suffering a broken leg. But he managed to throw 16 pitches after sustaining the injury, retiring all three batters he faced on a broken leg. Two of those outs came via the strikeout with Altuve going down swinging just before Morton pulled himself from the game.
The two were teammates in Houston back for that notorious 2017 World Series championship, but it was still great to hear the kind of respect that Altuve showed for an opposing player.
The Astros and Braves will head to Atlanta for Friday’s Game 3 with the series tied at 1-1.
