When it comes to postseason baseball, we’re more accustomed to seeing hyper-focused intensity to go along with the high stakes of the playoffs. But sometimes, a play can be so good that you just have to smile and tip the cap to the opponent.
Jose Altuve had one of those moments on Thursday.
During the third inning of Game 2 of the ALDS between the Astros and Mariners, Julio Rodriguez hit a grounder up the middle that easily could have been a tying RBI with two outs. Yet, Altuve brilliantly cut the ball off with a backhand and immediately went into his throw off a fading jump.
After all that, Altuve somehow managed to get enough on the throw to beat Rodriguez to the bag who had just about the best reaction imaginable for that kind of play.
WOW! Jose Altuve with the jump throw! pic.twitter.com/NOenYs0XJz
— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2022
Just wow.
It’s important to emphasize just how ridiculous that play was. Not only was the degree of difficulty off the charts for Altuve, but Rodriguez is also among the fastest players in baseball (97th percentile, according to Baseball Savant).
Rodriguez smiled in disbelief about the play, and he initially thought he beat the throw. But replays would show that Altuve clearly got him by a step. No wonder fans loved that entire sequence from the two stars.
This was how Twitter reacted
Julio’s just having fun out there. Haha. https://t.co/gD9pfrbYVK
— Wake Your Mind Up E.J. (@WakeYaMindUpEJ) October 13, 2022
I don't know how Jose Altuve pulled off this play to retire the speedy Julio Rodríguez (who made it home to first in 4.25 seconds with elite sprint speed), but wow. #Postseason https://t.co/I5EJymVKoG
— Adrian Garro (@adriangarro) October 13, 2022
Julio Rodríguez had 30.8 ft/sec sprint speed here
that's elite speed
makes this Altuve throw even more impressive!! https://t.co/cedgEoJSFz
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 13, 2022
J Rod can absolutely book too. Phew. https://t.co/g1hf5eXYpm
— Mahogany Matt (@MahoganyMatt) October 13, 2022
Even Julio Rodríguez couldn't believe the absurd play that Jose Altuve made just now. pic.twitter.com/Tpcox7peEG
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) October 13, 2022
I loved this moment. It may be the playoffs, but that doesn't mean you can't be impressed with a damn good play, even if it's against you. https://t.co/yX4K8Vz0mC
— 🏳️🌈🏴☠️A bit batty, a bit marshmallow 🏴☠️🏳️🌈 (@fairestcat) October 13, 2022
Jose Altuve just threw out Julio Rodriguez from here. pic.twitter.com/JjKFPgkAyH
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) October 13, 2022
Julio immediately going up to Altuve and ribbing him for the back handed play is awesome.
Just totally unaffected by the stage, and so so so happy to be playing baseball in October.
— Jage (@thejagepage) October 13, 2022
Oh my Jose Altuve. And how can you not love Julio Rodriguez laughing about it? pic.twitter.com/GrPmMbyiAC
— Tim Goergen (@Tim_Goergen) October 13, 2022
Baseball needs more of that.
