The Astros came out on top with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday night in Colorado. And Jose Altuve etched his name in the annals of the club’s history. His two hits catapulted him into second place on Houston’s all-time hits leaderboard. He was on cloud nine, and one well-known Astros player is over the moon for him.
Jose Altuve laid down a crafty bunt in the first inning and came through with a clutch, two-run single in the sixth, both on the very first pitch. This brings his total hits for the Astros to 2,315. And just like that, he eclipsed the legendary Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell. A real home run!
Jose Altuve was all smiles in his postgame interview. He was happy about the win and the big milestone he had just reached. Altuve thanked everyone who helped him, stating, “a lot of people help me,” and made sure to give credit to the person he beat, saying that they were still mentoring him. “He’s always texting me to get my mechanic right.” He also shared that Jeff Bagwell congratulated him, “he’s just texting me right now and I’m happy.”
Jose Altuve got a congratulatory text message postgame from Jeff Bagwell after passing him on the Astros’ all-time hits list. pic.twitter.com/KtKk28SZEt
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 3, 2025
Bagwell’s career was nothing short of legendary. He knocked out 449 home runs, racked up 2,314 hits, boasted a .297 batting average, and snagged the National League MVP title in 1994. His quirky, low, hunched stance, often the talk of the town, turned into one of his signature moves and hidden gems at the plate. He may not have reached the 500 home run milestone due to injuries, but his list of accomplishments is still a real inspiration. Now, as a senior advisor, he’s passing the baton and sharing more than just records with the current core of the team.
He keeps an eye on the prospect games, hunts for talent, and dishes out swing tips to Altuve on the fly as an Astro. With his guidance, he’s planting the seeds for the future stars of the game.
In 2025, Altuve took the field for 83 games, hence swinging for a .259 average with 13 home runs, 38 RBIs, six stolen bases, and a .731 OPS—all on just 320 at-bats. He’s now in rare company, being one of just two active players in the league with over 300 stolen bases and 200 career home runs under his belt.
And not only Bagwell but the manager, Joe Espada, is also happy. He said, “He always finds a way to wow us.”
In February 2024, Altuve signed a five-year, $125 million agreement that will keep him in Houston until the end of the 2029 season. That Biggio record might not have to wait until 2030 if he keeps getting 160 or more hits a year. And even Bagwell hopes that.
From one great to another: Altuve moves past Bagwell, targets Biggio
Craig Biggio’s 3,060 hits stand tall as the pinnacle in Astros history, a benchmark that not many have even sniffed at breaking. But the gap is tightening thanks to Jose Altuve’s reliable swing and consistency. If he keeps swinging the bat like he did against Colorado, Craig Biggio might not hold onto that first spot in the record books for much longer.
Jeff Bagwell, who saw Altuve tie him with 2,314 hits on TV, didn’t care at all that he was falling in the standings. Bagwell remarked over the phone, “I don’t think the number of hits he has now and the number hits I had is what we’re concerned with.” And not only this, he wants to see more records broken. “There’s another number out there that he’s looking at more than mine—3,000 hits. He’s such a great hitter and a huge part of this franchise’s success over all the years. He’s an incredible player and person. I couldn’t be happier for him. Like I said, he’s got bigger places to go than that”.
Altuve’s deal runs through 2029, so he’s got plenty of innings left in the game. If he keeps this up, he could be knocking on the door of the 3,000-hit club. He’s already crossed the 2,315 mark, and he’s got plenty of innings left to play.
It was a real win to take down Bagwell, but what lies ahead could be the game changer. What’s your take on this? Can Jose Altuve reach that milestone?
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