#2. Jose Altuve walk-off to win the ALCS
The night was going better than expected. In a bullpen-driven pitching outing the Astros had held the Yankees to just 2 runs through 9 1/3 innings in Game 6 of the 2019 ALCS. However, with one swing, the unstoppable DJ LeMahieu silenced 43,000 fans by launching a sharp line drive just over the right field fence. I had only witnessed a group of people that large go silent once before: 9th Inning, Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS, Cardinals vs. Astros. A hanging slider from Brad Lidge coupled with the MVP-caliber swing of Albert Pujols sent a shockwave throughout the entire city of Houston. Pujols connected for a towering 455 ft blast that cleared the train tracks at Minute Maid Park and paved the way for a Cardinals victory. Although, the Astros would win the series in Game 6, the long term damage had be done.
14 years later when LeMahieu broke Astros’ spirits with his 9th inning shot, Houston fans experienced flashbacks to that fateful night against the Cards. However, if one man could turn the tides, it was the longest tenured Astro on the team, Jose Altuve. Debuting with the team 9 years ago, Altuve had since amassed 6 all star appearances, 3 AL batting titles, and a World Series victory. If the Astros wanted to put anyone up against the dominate Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the 9th, I couldn’t think of anyone better than our 5 ft. 6 in. slugger. On Chapman’s 4th pitch of the at bat, Tuve turned on an 84 mph off speed pitch and launched it to left-center. I originally sank in my seat in disgust because it appeared to be a long fly out, but once I saw Brett Gardner turn toward the wall, I knew it was all over. The perennial savior of Houston had come through AGAIN.
I’m unsure if it was luck or fate that allowed me to be present at both of these landmark games, but one thing’s for sure, the legacy of Joss Altuve will remain in Houstonians’ hearts forever.
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