I’m honestly shocked to say this, but: Maybe Jose Altuve made the right move to tag up and head for home on a very shallow pop-up?
I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s rewind: On Monday, Yordan Alvarez hit a pop fly into foul ground on the first base side in the eighth inning of the Houston Astros’ eventual 1-0 loss to the Texas Rangers. Nathaniel Lowe caught it, not as far as you’d think from the infield.
For some reason — I guess Altuve’s speed plus maybe he thought he’d catch Lowe napping? — Altuve took off for home and was called out.
But Houston challenged. And one replay showed that he might have been safe, making Astros fans mad:
Here's the play
José Altuve was called out after trying to tag on a shallow pop up and the Astros lost the challenge pic.twitter.com/cteI8lbn5R
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 6, 2022
The Rangers broadcasters were confident he was out after seeing this angle pic.twitter.com/PQOTUvp4FB
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 6, 2022
But was he safe?
Altuve got his hand down pic.twitter.com/t3fIhjZ1ID
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) September 6, 2022
Altuve Was Safe ‘22 pic.twitter.com/3W1dXxQuMS
— Dinn Mann (@mooseoutfront) September 6, 2022
Altuve was safe, pt. 2 pic.twitter.com/dvKitLgRSH
— Apollo Media (@ApolloHOU) September 6, 2022
Chas seemed to think Altuve was safe 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/lgK5FtyMCz
— Apollo Media (@ApolloHOU) September 6, 2022
Glove laces don’t count towards a tag anymore, per a rule change in 2016 by MLB. Funnily enough, it was changed because of Jose Altuve.
We won. I just wanted to throw it out there. pic.twitter.com/1wyUMPkHo6
— 𝕁𝕒𝕜𝕠𝕓 🌟 (@jakedc6) September 6, 2022
Altuve was safe. 🤷🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/4v7YbAdLUN
— Turtle (@TickingTurtle) September 6, 2022
I take it Altuve was safe. pic.twitter.com/cqEet9JGNz
— Ernest Moreno (@astexroc) September 6, 2022
Sorry, but Altuve was SAFE AT HOME!
— Ron Treviño (@khouron) September 6, 2022
JOSE ALTUVE WAS SAFE 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/8GBsgmuNCE
— Justin 🖤 (@Jayy_bird11) September 6, 2022