Convenience Big Store: Jose Altuve still putting on a show, 2,000 hits later

Today's starting lineup

Omar López, the Astros first base coach, first saw Jose Altuve at the team's academy in Venezuela.

Altuve, in an oft-repeated story, was sent home from the tryout camp. He returned the next day and began to open eyes.

"For the week or 10 days Jose spent in that minicamp, basically, he was the attraction," López said. "He put on a show."

The show reached another level on Saturday when Altuve reached the 2,000-hit milestone. On a night of celebration at Minute Maid, López had the best perspective.

"We never envisioned this, to be honest," López told our Matt Kawahara. "Free swinger, made a lot of contact. The same kid that he is right now, hitting the ball with authority. But obviously very raw. But the most important thing that helped him to be the player that he is right now is the passion and the desire that he has every day. The way that he plays the game.

"He was a kid that likes to play ball. Showtime. He works, he gets his groundballs. But when the game starts, that's when the kid basically transforms."

The only downside to Saturday was Houston's 10-3 loss to the Mariners in a game that Framber Valdez described his performance as "trash."

The Texans also had a rough day as they lost 28-3 to the Dolphins in their second preseason game. C.J. Stroud made progress but it's clear he's going to need some help from the rest of the team, especially the defense, Jerome Solomon writes. Jonathan M. Alexander says one series showed why Stroud should start. Brooks Kubena looks at some of the same old problems even with a new system.

Stat of the day: 1,631. Number of games it took for Jose Altuve to reach 2,000 hits. He is the fastest to that mark since Michael Young (1,621 games) in 2011.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

Astros / MLB

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve reacts after hitting a single for his 2,000th career hit during the third inning of a Major League Baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Jason Fochtman/Staff Photographer

Astros insider: Jose Altuve still putting on a show

From the young free swinger at an Astros tryout camp in Venezuela to the veteran who joined a select group with 2,000 hits, it's always showtime for Jose Altuve.

The road to 2000: A look at some of the notable hits in Jose Altuve's career.
Mariners 10, Astros 3: Framber Valdez said he was 'trash' in a chippy loss to Mariners.
Helping hand: José Abreu counsels Yainer Diaz about playing first base.
Sidelined: Kyle Tucker missed a second consecutive game with illness.
Up and down: Grae Kessinger was placed on the IL due to "health and safety protocols" and Corey Julks was called back up.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans watches his team from the bench during the first half an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Improvement from C.J. Stroud but Texans have more to do

DeMeco Ryans' defense will need to play better than it did against Miami while a young quarterback grows.

Good sign: C.J. Stroud's second series against a talented Dolphins' defense showed what he's capable of once he's in a rhythm and the offense is moving.
Old problems: Houston's revamped defense surrendered 5.8 yards per play while facing starters for the first time in preseason.
Pocket protectors: Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud experienced clean pockets and was not sacked in Saturday's loss against the Dolphins.
Sidelined: DeMeco Ryans said Texans rookie wide receiver Tank Dell did not play in Saturday's preseason loss against the Dolphins due to "a little" muscle tightness.

College Football

Mikal-Harrison Pilot had 48 scholarship offers out of Temple, but things were pointing toward UH during the four-star wide receiver's recruiting visit with the Cougars.

Photo by: Courtesy Of Chris Pilot

UH freshman Mikal Harrison-Pilot wants to forge legacy of his own

The wide receiver, whose father is former Cougars linebacker Chris Pilot, is the school's fourth-highest-rated signee in the recruiting service era.

QB1: Donovan Smith, a transfer from Texas Tech, won the starting quarerback spot for UH.
Catching on: Texas A&M receiver Noah Thomas should earn plenty of opportunities under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
Commitment: Blake Ivy, one of the top offensive linemen in the state, picks Texas A&M.