DENVER -- Hall of Fame slugger Jeff Bagwell watches every Astros game, whether they’re on the road or at home. In his role as senior advisor to ownership, he’s often roaming the Minor Leagues and watching prospects play, which is one of the favorite things about his role.
Bagwell is as invested in the Astros as anyone in the organization and isn’t even shy about texting franchise icon Jose Altuve and giving him tips about his swing. Not many people have the credentials to do that. The text message Altuve got Wednesday night from Bagwell was one of congratulations after Altuve banged out two hits to pass him with his 2,315th career hit in a 5-3 win over the Rockies at Coors Field.
Altuve moved into second place on the Astros’ all-time hits list, trailing another Hall of Famer, Craig Biggio, who had 3,060 hits in 20 years in Houston. Altuve has a chance to reach 3,000 hits and even catch Biggio, but passing Bagwell represented a huge milestone celebrated by Altuve, his teammates, his family and Bagwell.
“He’s always on top of me, giving me advice and stuff,” Altuve said. “If he doesn’t like my swing, he texts me: ‘What was that?’ He really cares, not only about me but about the whole team and the organization. Like I said, I appreciate that and also my teammates and the fans in Houston, my family and everybody who has helped me get to this point. I’m proud of that and thank God because of that.”
Bagwell told MLB.com via phone during Wednesday’s game he was happy for Altuve and believes that he has a shot to reach 3,000 hits.
"I don’t think the number of hits he has now and the number of hits I had is what we’re concerned with," he said. "There’s another number out there that he’s looking at more than mine [3,000]. 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 had a bunt single in the first inning for hit No. 2,314 to tie Bagwell and then jumped on the first pitch he saw from reliever Jake Bird in the sixth and drilled a two-run single up the middle to put the Astros ahead, 4-2. Cam Smith followed with an RBI single for a 5-2 lead.
The Astros, winners of eight of their past nine games, got six innings from ace Hunter Brown, who struck out eight batters to win for the first time since June 1, and were buoyed early when rookie Shay Whitcomb crushed his first career homer in the second, which went a Statcast-estimated 451 feet. But this day was about Altuve.
“He always finds a way to wow us,” said Astros manager Joe Espada, who keeps a journal with details about his career in baseball. Altuve fills many of those pages.
“I’m always writing about things that I see so I can go back and remember one day when I’m really old because he’s amazing,” he said. “I like to write stuff down, but I always write down, not only what I’ve seen him do while I’ve been with the Astros, but also what he did against me when I was wearing another uniform, because he’s an incredible baseball player. That’s how I feel about that. He’s always got big moments. … I’m watching one of the best to ever play the game.”
Altuve was keenly aware he needed two hits to pass Bagwell, saying it’s hard not to with social media posts popping up, as well as his stats on the scoreboard.
“Obviously, it’s everywhere and it makes you think a lot,” he said. “I’m proud about the work we’ve done as a team.”
Altuve’s wife, Nina, and daughters Melanie and Antonella, were in the stands at Coors Field to witness the moment. His teammates were standing atop the dugout steps to ask for the milestone ball to be thrown to the visitor’s dugout, which it was. Bagwell was watching, too, like he always does.
“There’s a lot of people that are helping me, especially the guy that I passed today,” Altuve said. “He’a always texting me to get my mechanics right, he’s always helping me to be the hitter I am. He just texted me right now and he’s happy for me. I really appreciate anything he has done for me.”