AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: ASTROS VS RED SOX

October 15, 2021

Jose Altuve

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Postgame 1 Press Conference

Astros - 5, Red Sox - 4

Jose, can you take us through your emotions when that ball left Correa's bat, and did you think it was going to stay fair and just everything after that?

JOSE ALTUVE: Just because of his reaction, I knew that the ball was going to stay fair. Obviously, a lot of emotions because we took the lead right there, and -- yeah, not for first time in the game. We were up early in the game, but it's always good to get the lead late in the game like we did and create some momentum to score more runs.

Q. I know you've had multiple home runs like that in October in the playoffs, but can you describe from your perspective when you have that two-run homer, what that feels like? I mean, are you so lost in the moment? Does it just become tunnel vision? What's it like for you when you have a home run like that?

JOSE ALTUVE: It feels good, obviously. Especially in a playoff and especially in the situation we were down by two runs. And just to tie the game and to give the team the chance to win the game is big. So I felt -- even though I don't do any bat flip or nothing, I'm really happy about the homers I hit because I'm helping the team to win.

Q. Your sac fly turned out to be huge. Did you think that was deep enough, and what was it like watching that unfold and the run scoring?

JOSE ALTUVE: I hit the ball pretty hard, but with Kiké in center field, you never know. He plays amazing defense. He's got a really good arm. Ended up being kind of a close play, but Yuli is pretty fast enough to score right there, and obviously we needed that one to win the game like we did.

Q. You've obviously talked a lot about what Carlos means to this team, but what did you think about what he did tonight and how he was able to get the crowd so hyped up after the home run?

JOSE ALTUVE: This is the kind of guy he is. I know I always say the same thing about him, but I don't have anything else to say. He is amazing. He likes this kind of game. He wants to go out there and hit big homers. It seems like he expects to go out there and do it, so if you're expecting something, eventually you're going to make it happen, and that's him. He is the leader of our team. He is the number one reason why we're in the playoffs, and we've been in playoffs many times.

Q. It was really you and Carlos that provided those sparks. Dusty Baker compared your friendship to Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. How do you see your relationship with Carlos? JOSE ALTUVE: We've got a pretty good relationship, obviously. We are always talking about the game. We are on the field, but we got good relationship off the field too. Like I said, he's amazing. Great player. Great human being, and I'm glad that I get to play next to him.

Q. That was your 20th career postseason home run. It ties you with Derek Jeter, third all-time. What does it mean to be associated with a name like that?

JOSE ALTUVE: It means a lot. Derek Jeter is one of the greatest baseball players ever, greatest person to ever play the game, and just to hit as many homers as him, it means a lot to me.

Q. How vital was the job your bullpen did tonight to keep that game 3-1 and keep you guys in it and give you a chance to even tie the game there in the sixth?

JOSE ALTUVE: I think that was the key to win the game. Yimi García came early in the game and stopped the bleeding. Every single guy that came after him did amazing. That's something we need as a team to be able to win games.

Q. (Question in Spanish)

JOSE ALTUVE: (Answer in Spanish)

Q. Chas McCormick was a big part of your success tonight with the single before your homer, and he also kept the line moving before your sac fly. What have you seen from him in his rookie year?

JOSE ALTUVE: He's a great player. He is a guy that shows up every day and wants to be in the lineup. He wants to go out there, do something to help the team. Obviously, today was big. He gets the base hit, and then I hit the homer, but if he doesn't get on base, it's a different game. He made some good plays in center field, too. I love him, and I love every outfielder we have because they play the way they should play.