Blasting the Houston Astros was fun while it lasted, but in the end they corrected their mistake and inserted second baseman Jose Altuve into the starting lineup for the final game of the 2014 regular season.
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Altuve enters Sunday’s game with a .340 batting average, giving him the slightest lead over Victor Martinez of the Detroit Tigers in the race for an American League batting title. The Astros benched Altuve, against his own wishes, seemingly to protect that slight lead in the batting race.
People reacted harshly to that decision, and rightfully so. It looked like just the latest example of Jeff Luhnow and the rest of the Astros’ front office finding new ways to upset their players with bad decisions.
Whether it was pressure from Altuve or from the reaction to the decision on social media, the Astros changed their mind and Altuve will now start.
#Astros update: Jose Altuve is in the starting lineup for today's game at second base.
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 28, 2014
#Astros statement: Altuve approached Lawless prior to today's game and was passionate about playing today. (1/2)
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 28, 2014
#Astros statement (2/2): As the best player, he deserves the right to make that decision.
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 28, 2014
Whatever you say guys. Oh, and this.
Think the Astros are checking social media?
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) September 28, 2014
Yep.
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