With mega contract, Altuve once again steals the show
By César Augusto Márquez
José Altuve did it again.
The 2017 American League MVP once again grabbed the spotlight, signing an extension that makes his contract the richest in the history of the Houston Astros and among the biggest in baseball.
In a ceremony at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches — the team’s spring training home in West Palm Beach, Fla. — the Venezuelan second baseman signed a contract that will guarantee him an additional $151 million over five years, starting in 2020.
The deal surpasses the $100 million contract that free-agent slugger Carlos Lee of Panama signed with Houston after the 2006 season. Based on average salary, it also makes Altuve the highest-paid athlete in Houston, nudging out NBA star James Harden of the Houston Rockets and Altuve’s teammate, Astros ace and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander.
In a sign of admiration and respect, all of Altuve’s teammates joined his wife Nina and daughter Melanie, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and owner Jim Crane on the field to mark the moment.
“The most important thing for me right now is those guys out there being here,’’ the 27-year-old Altuve said. “They don’t have to be here. They’re here because they wanted to do something nice. You guys have made my day.”
The contract comes after a season in which Altuve hit .346 to win his second straight AL batting crown and his third in four years. Besides being voted the AL MVP and winning a slew of awards, Altuve also led the Astros to their first World Series title ever.
The Astros made a subtle nod to their superstar on Instagram a few days ago, posting a photo of Altuve with a tiny goat emoji comment, signaling their belief that they have the Greatest of All Time on board.
Fellow Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera went a little over the top to congratulate his pal. The Detroit Tigers slugger signed a similar contract extension in 2014, and now earns an average of $31 million annually.
¡Felicidades, José!
Among giants
Another Venezuelan, utility player extraordinaire Ronald Torreyes, is an important part of the Yankees clubhouse — and not just for his versatility.
Torreyes hit .292 in 108 games last season for the Yanks, and this week, new skipper Aaron Boone named Torreyes the team’s third catcher on the depth chart.
He’s also holding down the PR front, starring in a commercial this week that played up Big Toe’s big dreams.
The spot showed him beating 6-foot-7 Aaron Judge and 6-6 Giancarlo Stanton in challenges requiring strength, like opening a jar of pickles, with the 5-8 Torreyes besting the big boys.
Big Papi and Big Daddy
David Ortíz, the legendary Dominican slugger, joined Puerto Rican reggaetón idol Daddy Yankee for a selfie during Premios Soberano, the Dominican music awards.
“Last night with the big boss,” Ortíz posted on Instagram.
Daddy Yankee’s new hit song, “Dura,” made an appearance in the Milwaukee Brewers’ clubhouse via veteran minor league pitcher Tim Dillard, who posted his latest lip sync video. The heavily-bearded Dillard makes the song his own while on a treadmill while other players, such as young pitcher Roberto Delgado, can be seen working out and generally ignoring the spectacle.
Reyes Gets Some Rays
While everyone in New York was “celebrating” the official start of spring with Winter Storm Toby, Mets shortstop José Reyes was enjoying his last days under the Florida sun before the start of the season.
“Someone tell me how the temperature is in NY, because here in Florida, it’s 80 degrees,” Reyes posted.
Featured Image: Houston Astros Instagram