Jose Altuve versus Ozzie Albies
The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves played each other in the 117th World Series, ending in a 4–2 triumph for a surprising Braves team. America’s pastime has been grinding along now for well over a century. Once a sport only played in the United States, baseball has broadened its reach, leaving its mark on kids across the Americas and into the Pacific.
The Astros and Braves feature a total of 32 foreign born players on their 40-man rosters combined. The starting second basemen of each team, Jose Altuve (Venezuela) and Ozzie Albies (Curacao), are two unique examples. One reason they are unique is their size. Altuve, at 5'6", and Albies, at 5'8", are the two shortest players in the Major Leagues.
Jose Altuve was born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Venezuela has produced hall of famer Luis Aparicio as well as future hall of famer Miguel Cabrera. The socialist country, which relies heavily on oil exports, has destabilized recently. However, Venezuela’s export growth has been strong on the baseball diamond. In the 1980’s, Venezuela saw 2–3 players debut in the Major Leagues per year. In the last season and a half, there have been 28 debuts.
Ozhaino Albies, or Ozzie for short, wasn’t born far from Altuve. His island home of Curacao sits just 40 miles from the Venezuelan coast. With a population of just 155,000, Curacao has still produced 16 Major League players. The Atlanta Braves, who signed Albies at 16 years old, have made it a habit of signing big leaguers out of the tiny island. Both Andruw Jones and Andrelton Simmons were signed by the Braves.
This was the fourth postseason for Albies, but this year’s World Series was his first. Jose Altuve has been a fixture in the postseason, with six appearances in the last seven years. This was his third World Series, winning the 2017 series in 7 controversial games against the LA Dodgers. He has hit .286/.361/.547 over 79 postseason games, with 23 home runs.
Altuve’s 23 postseason homers ranks second behind Manny Ramirez (29) and just ahead of Bernie Williams (22). To some extent, it makes sense that a right-handed hitting Astro would be near the top of the list given the rise in home run rates, the Astro’s frequent trips to the postseason, and the short distance to the Crawford Boxes in left field at Minute Maid. What is puzzling is how he’s been able to overcome his diminutive stature to place him into that very enormous discussion.
If you are a small kid, it is nearly impossible to play basketball or football professionally. In baseball, it is merely improbable. You have to be careful who you point to as role models, and Altuve certainly comes with his share of controversy, but the success of these two players in defiance of their size is a ray of hope for kids of all sizes.
Hope. Dreams. They drive so many kids. Hope and dreams aren’t enough. Altuve tried out many times for many Major League teams. None of them could see past his 145 pound frame. Even the Astros sent him home from their tryout, winnowing the players from 50 or 60 on day one down to roughly 20 for their second day. Altuve was resolute, or possibly stubborn, and returned uninvited for the second day.
It takes a lot of courage to show up. The Astros let him audition again. This time, his play and vibrant smile helped earn him a $15,000 signing bonus and chance to prove himself with the Houston club. The rest is history.
Whichever team you rooted for in the 2021 World Series, it is tough not to root for Albies, Altuve, and every little kid with a dream.
Update: This story was written before the World Series and updated with the results.
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