tuve forever

Houston Astros make José Altuve 'Astro for life' with historic extension

José Altuve has agreed to a five-year extension, which will make him a lifer, per the Astros.

Photo via Houston Astros

One of the most pivotal players in Houston Astros history is now a lifer, according to the team. All-Star second baseman José Altuve has agreed to a a five-year contract extension with the Astros, general manager Dana Brown announced on Tuesday, February 6.

Officially, the Astros didn't release terms of the deal, which will cover seasons 2025-29 in their press announcement. However, multiple Major League Baseball beat writers report the extension is $125 million over five years. As Sports Illustrated notes, this historic deal will make Altuve the first MLB second baseman to make $300 million in a career.

As hand-wringing fans are aware, Altuve was in the final year of a seven-year contract extension that he signed on March 19, 2018, as of 2024. This extension, the team declared on X, will make the 33-year-old Altuve essentially an "Astro for life."

Jose Altuve will be an Astro for life. pic.twitter.com/ndPHz1lP7E
— Houston Astros (@astros) February 6, 2024

And why not? By the numbers, Altuve ranks first in Astros career batting average (.307), third in hits (2,047), doubles (400), runs (1,062) and stolen bases (293), fourth in OPS (.834) and fifth in home runs (209), per team stats. The perennial powerhouse slugger has been charted one of the best postseason runs in MLB history. By MLB stats, Altuve ranks second in postseason home runs (27) and runs (89), and is currently tied for third in hits (117).

He is virtually peerless among MLB second basemen, ranking first in virtually all offensive categories in postseason history.

Forever clutch, Altuve boasts two go-ahead, 9th-inning home runs in the 9th inning of an ALCS game and a three-home run game in the 2017 ALDS, which ties an MLB record.

Having recorded his 2,000th career hit in 2023, Altuve has rq=acked up 2,047 hits, 400 doubles, 209 home runs, and 293 stolen bases. (Seven more stolen bases will tally 300, which will make Altuve just the fifth player in MLB history to reach all four milestones while maintaining a .300-or-higher career average, per team stats.)

With a mantle full of accolades, Altuve currently boasts: 2017 American League MVP; the 2017 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (with fellow Houstonian at the time J.J. Watt); 2017 AL Hank Aaron Award; 2017 AP Male Athlete of the Year; 2017 Baseball America Player of the Year; eight All-Star selections; three American League batting titles; six Silver Slugger Awards (the most in franchise history); a Gold Glove Award, and 2019 ALCS MVP honors.

Perhaps his most storybook stat? Altuve is the first Astros player to hit an inside the park home run for his first Major League home run, which he blasted on August 20, 2011 vs. the San Francisco Giants.

The Astros will host a press conference officially announcing the extension at 10 am Wednesday, February 7.

This is a breaking news story.

auditions open

Houston's World Cup fan festival searching for talented performers

Courtesy photo

Fans have the opportunity to register for tickets to individual World Cup matches.

In just four months, Houston will serve as one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup, the biggest sporting event on Earth. That kind of audience is a grand chance for every host city to show off some of its greatest musicians, dancers, and performers. This week, the official FIFA Fan Festival Houston announced a citywide search for talent who will perform across East Downtown during the World Cup from June 14 to July 4.

“The FIFA World Cup is about more than what happens on the pitch — it’s about the cities and communities that bring the tournament to life,” said Chris Canetti, president of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee. “This talent search is an opportunity to put Houston’s creativity and diversity on full display, giving local performers a global platform as fans from around the world gather here for this experience.”

The Fan Festival is an immersive, free experience that will encompass four blocks of EaDo. A full list of attractions and themed days is still to come, but the festival has promised the participation of Space Center Houston and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in addition to the performances from those chosen in the talent search.

Applications are now open at the official FIFA Houston website and will close on March 10. Video submissions are required, and the callback interview process will begin in early April. The final lineup will be announced in May. The selected performers will have a unique opportunity to reach an in-person, international audience.

“The FIFA Fan Festival will be a place where culture, community and celebration come together every day of the tournament” said Patti Smith, Director of Houston’s FIFA Fan Festival. “By centering local performers on our stage, we’re ensuring it will reflect the spirit of Houston and create moments that are truly unforgettable.”

Half a million people are expected to visit Houston during the World Cup, so it's little wonder the host committee is pulling out all the stops. Mindful of Houston's blistering summers, the Fan Festival will include ample shade, misting zones, and other amenities that will help fans and visitors enjoy the festival in EaDo.