MLB WORLD SERIES: ASTROS VS BRAVES

October 25, 2021

Jose Altuve

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. What is the biggest benefit of playing with an infield that has been together for as long as the four of you have been together?

JOSE ALTUVE: I think we know each other since long time. We know how to fix each other, help each other, and encourage each other, I guess.

One thing I say a lot is our chemistry is really good. I think that has to help.

Q. What's it like getting ready for a team you don't know anything about, that you haven't played this year? I guess other than Charlie Morton, there's probably a lot of unknown about the Braves and who they are. What have you learned about them the last few days?

JOSE ALTUVE: It's a little different. Obviously, we watched some games, so we kind of have an idea now, and they have an idea about us too. I think it's going to be fun. It's going to be a pretty exciting series, and we'll see.

Q. Jose, what was Charlie Morton like as a teammate, and do you guys keep in touch?

JOSE ALTUVE: The best you can ever have. He's that good. He's amazing. I only have good things to say about him, and I wish him the best in his life, in his career.

Q. How much do you think this series can change the history of this team and what happened a few years ago?

JOSE ALTUVE: I haven't thought about that, but I think we have the same mindset we always have, just going out there and try to win. This is a pretty special team, and like I said, everybody just talks about winning. We all want to win. There's not a single guy that's thinking about something else but winning, and I think that can be the key to win a World Series.

Q. Can you talk about how this World Series is different just because you guys have been so good in postseason for the past five years? How do you kind of qualify this one? And how much fun is it to be with the same group for this many years?

JOSE ALTUVE: I would say that every World Series we've been -- it's been a little different. It's going to be fun. They're all fun. Obviously, you have to win. You want to win. You have to win to be happy.

So like I said, we're just going to go out there and try to do what we know. We're not trying to overdo things. We've got to play good defense, get on base, score some runs, and hit a little more than them to win the games.

Q. Yuli said the other day that he's just super impressed with the way Yordan has matured in his role that he has on this team. What has impressed you the most about how he goes about his work? Young player, but being such a focal point in this offense right now.

JOSE ALTUVE: I think he's a unique hitter. His approach is amazing. What he does, hitting the ball to the other way, but then he puts the ball and hits it 500 feet. He's amazing. He can walk.

He's been playing some good defense too. I'm really thankful he's on our team. Obviously, he just won the ALCS MVP, and he's a big reason that we have a lot of chance to win this World Series.

Q. How has Troy helped you? Has his demeanor changed knowing that his father will be on the other side of the dugout?

JOSE ALTUVE: He has helped me a lot. He knows a lot about hitting, and not only like mechanic-wise, but approach. He knows how to help you to think better while you are in the home plate. I love the way he coaches us and helps us.

He's not thinking about his father now. He's on the other side. We have to win. So we're just thinking about our guys right now.

Q. I wondered if your daughter Melanie is old enough to understand the significance of the World Series and if she's said anything to you about good luck about this?

JOSE ALTUVE: Not yet. Last game when we went to the World Series, she thought we went to the field because fireworks (laughter). She doesn't know yet, but she's a big Astros fan.

Q. Did you talk to Charlie at all once you realized this was going to be the matchup? And having faced him multiple other times in other post seasons, does that play in -- does that plus your knowledge of him as a teammate play into how you're going to prepare?

JOSE ALTUVE: I haven't talked about him, but I think we are thinking the same thing, like we know how good he is. He knows how good this team is. So it's going to be fun.

Q. Jose, Omar Lopez has worked his way up from Venezuela to get here. Two years ago he was in the stands and he told his son, maybe I could be here soon. What has Omar added to the team, and what does it -- you had him as a manager. How has he grown?

JOSE ALTUVE: He's been in the game long enough to bring a lot of things to this team. He's coaching third since last year, so he's a big part of our team.

I love the way how he came from Venezuela all the way to the Big Leagues and now being in the World Series. I'm really happy for him, and he deserves everything that he's getting right now.

Q. Jose, the challenges that Eddie Rosario presents playing the Braves.

JOSE ALTUVE: Again, I said it earlier today in Spanish, that we have to find a way to stop him because he's playing really good.

CARLOS CORREA: I know Eddie very well. We played in the Classic, and I always thought he's a great hitter. When he's swinging a hot bat like that, I feel like every quadrant of the zone is red. I trust my chances to go out there and listen to the scouting report and figure out a way.