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The Reluctant Legend: Jose Altuve And The Ty Cobb Connection

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  • Updated: August 6, 2016

There would seem to be little to connect Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve with Hall of Famer and 24-year veteran Ty Cobb (22 years with the Detroit Tigers).

But, a peek behind the numbers reveals some stunning revelations for the Astros’ modest, but hard-nosed 4-time All-Star, and the kind of break-out season he’s enjoying in 2016.

Jose Carlos Altuve was born in Venezuela 104 years after Tyrus Raymond Cobb first drew breath in Banks County, in what was then known as Narrows, Georgia, in the northeast part of the state.

By Any Measure

Altuve gives up about 8 inches to “The Georgia Peach,” and about 7 pounds to the reported measurements of Cobb: 6’1″, 175 lbs. In today’s parlance, Cobb’s height might be expressed as being approximately 1.1261 Altuves in the Official Standard Listed Altuves (OSLA) nomenclature. Your results may vary.

Altuve, although listed at 5’6″ and 165, is likely closer to 5’5″ and 168 lbs, based on media reports, and even Altuve, himself.

Ty Goes to the Runner

On July 22, Altuve led the American League in average, hits, on-base percentage (OBP), stolen bases, and total bases. If he finishes the season on top in those five categories, he’ll be the first to have done so since Ty Cobb 99 years ago (1917).

Small wonder the Astros’ #27 is fielding MVP talk around the league.

Running the Numbers

After the Astros beat the Texas Rangers at home, August 5, behind Dallas Keuchel’s 3-hit, complete game shut-out, 5-0, Altuve was leading the AL with a .357 batting average.

His 153 hit total was ten more than Boston’s Xander Bogaerts‘ and Mookie Betts‘ 143.

Altuve’s OBP of .424 dipped below Mike Trout‘s .428, at the start of play, August 6. Two players have since lapped the ‘Toov in stolen bases since July 22, but only by two.

Cleveland’s Rajai Davis and Minnesota’s former shortstop, Eduardo Nunez have 27. Nunez, however, took his SB total with him to the NL Giants after the July 28th trade with the Twins. Davis, it appears, will be Altuve’s only AL base-theft competition the rest of the way.

Altuve has enjoyed a power surge this year, reaching 5 homers in just 62 plate appearances in 2016, the fastest he’s gotten to that number in, now, his 6th season.

In 2013, he hit five all season and didn’t reach the fifth until his 605th plate appearance, according to an April 21 Houston Chronicle article. It took 514 PAs in 2014 and 162 last season, when Altuve reached double digits for the first time and finished with 15 homers. This year, he’s already slammed 19 in 491 PAs.

Related: Jose Altuve Polishes Memories of Astros’ Toy Cannon, Jimmy Wynn

For the last category, total bases (TB), the pesky Betts has moved beyond Altuve by eight, 253-245. So far this season, Boston’s right fielder has accumulated more doubles (31-29), triples (5-3), and homers (23-19) than Altuve, a pace that might be challenging for the Houston spark plug to overtake, with regards to the fifth Ty Cobb category, anyway. In that case, all Betts are off.

Cobb also led the AL, in 1917, in slugging percentage, with .570. Through August 5th, Altuve owns a .572. For the record, Altuve’s OPS is .997, good for second in the league, behind David Ortiz‘ 1.021.

But, don’t look for Altuve to challenge that lofty stat, certainly not during Big Papi’s 2016 final bow. Houston’s “L’il Papi” may want a similar favor afforded him in his final campaign!

August is the month races heat up. The Astros continue their race against the Texas Rangers for AL West supremacy, and Jose Altuve continues his push to equal or surpass the vaunted numbers of a certified legend.

Cleats up.

Video: Hear Cobb’s post-career interview with Grantland Rice in the 1930s, where he reveals baseball, for him, was “more work than play”

Brad Kyle

Brad Kyle

Brad Ramone with (L-R) Dee Dee, Johnny, and Joey Ramone, backstage at Houston's Liberty Hall, July, 1977.

Johnny, the Ramones' influential guitarist, who passed away in 2004 at 55, was an avid baseball and New York Yankees fan since childhood. He even once ranked baseball above rock'n'roll in a personal Top 10 List!

Like Johnny, my love for rock is only equaled by my love for baseball and my hometown Houston Astros, present and past!

At TRS, you'll get full Astros coverage, minor league peeks, player profiles, interviews, MLB historical perspective, and maybe a little rock'n'roll!
Brad Kyle

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