Altuve ‘happy’ for Houston record eighth selection

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jose Altuve and his teammates watched the AllStar starter reveal show on a television in the visitors clubhouse Friday at the Coliseum in Oakland, where the Astros began a three-game series against the A’s.

When the results were announced, with Altuve being named the American League’s starting second baseman for the July 19 game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Altuve received a high five from slugger Yordan Alvarez, who was seated across the table from him, as well as congratulatory hugs from pitcher Jake Odorizzi and bench coach Joe Espada.

“That’s ocho ,” Espada announced to the room, holding up eight fingers.

Indeed, for Altuve this is an Astros-record eighth

All-Star selection. Hall of Famer Craig Biggio was a seven-time All-Star. Out of his eight overall selections, Altuve has been a starter five times, which is also a franchise record.

Altuve received 57 percent of the fan votes for his position. The Astros second baseman skipped last year’s All-Star game after he was named to the 2021 roster as a reserve, but he confirmed Friday that he will play in this year’s game.

Entering Friday, Altuve led all AL second basemen in home runs (17), on-base percentage (.368), slugging percentage (.539) and OPS (.907). Additionally, he has hit seven leadoff homers this season with 17 total home runs.

“I’m really happy,” Altuve said. “Thankful for my family, teammates, people of Houston and every single fan that made this dream come true. This is number eight but it feels like the first one.”

In the voting for the AL’s All-Star starter at designated hitter, Alvarez was narrowly beaten out by Angels two-way star Shohei

Ohtani. Alvarez won 48 percent of votes, while Ohtani received 52 percent.

Alvarez, who declined to talk to reporters after the vote was revealed, seemed resigned to his fate even before it was announced. “I know what happens,” he said, shrugging. When the television showed Ohtani as the winner, Altuve stood up from the table and pushed his chair back in exaggerated outrage.

Alvarez is still very likely to make the All-Star roster as a reserve. He was named the AL’s Player of the Month for June and entered Friday leading the majors in OPS (1.076) and slugging percentage (.665) while ranking third in home runs (26) and fourth in on-base percentage (.410). In each of those metrics — as well as runs, batting average and RBI — Alvarez ranks ahead of Ohtani.

“I’m 100 percent sure he’s going to be in there,” Altuve said. “He has to be, because of the season he’s having. He didn’t make the starters’ roster but, in the end, what matters is to be there.”