We often hear about the steroid allegations, domestic abuse scandals, and other tragic news stories involving Major League Baseball players. These stories are important to cover and to acknowledge, but there are plenty of positives to go around.
Jose Altuve, Wil Myers Win First Player of the Month Awards
Today the focus turns to Jose Altuve, the American League Player of the Month for June and his counterpart, Wil Myers, the National League Player of the Month. These two have traveled very different routes to the majors and success. Both stories are worthy of discussion.
Altuve is no stranger to success in recent years. He stands a three-time All-Star, a back-to-back Silver Slugger award winner in 2014 and 2015, and a gold glove recipient for his defense prowess. However, this is his first Player of the Month Award, and it’s doubtful it will be his last. Since he arrived with the Houston Astros in 2011, Altuve has been a sensation. He is one of the faces of that organization’s turnaround.
Altuve isn’t an elite slugger, but he still adds plenty to any team. His average often surpasses .300 with ease (his .341 AVG in 2014 was best in the American League). He can steal fifty bases in a season (he maxed out at fifty-six in 2014), and drives in runs on a consistent level. He is the perfect guy for the top of the order. Altuve often winds up in good position to score runs early, and is unafraid to run and make plays in the field to assist his team.
Rising From Humble Beginnings
Altuve is a truly great ballplayer and that is seen night-in and night-out. When he started out in Venezuela, many said he was too short to play baseball. Rather than quit, he returned and fought hard for every opportunity. Eventually, the Astros signed him in 2007. He would burn a terrific path through the minors and, before long, wound up in the majors on July 19, 2011. His story is one of perseverance and a love of the game of baseball.
There is more to Altuve than his mighty baseball talents. Beyond the diamond, he contributes to society in other ways. For his actions, especially in regard to the Astros youth services, Altuve was nominated for the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award, an award given to players who truly go out into their community and give back. Altuve has been very active in the Astros Community Leaders Program and Astros Urban Youth Academy. He isn’t just a great new face of the Houston Astros; he is a diplomat for the game of baseball from the city limits of Houston, right up to the world scale.
Wil Myers Rise Far From Ordinary
Unlike Jose Altuve, who came up to the majors and immediately made an impact, Wil Myers’ road was a bit cluttered. He was a highly touted prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization, poised to arrive sometime in 2013. However, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in late 2012 for starter James Shields and reliever Wade Davis.
He had a promising 2013 debut with the Rays, which included a .293 batting average, thirteen homers, and fifty-three RBI. He would wind up being the American League Rookie of the Year in 2013. However, there was some concern about his ninety-one strikeouts in 335 at bats. In 2014, Myers struggled both at the plate and to stay healthy. His offensive numbers plummeted, and his average sunk to a career-low .222 on the season. He was traded to the San Diego Padres as the Rays cleaned house and began to rebuild.
With the Padres in 2015, he still had issues with injury, but his average improved by thirty points. He showed more power, and his OPS, OBP, and slugging percentage all drastically rose. Now established with the Padres and healthy, Myers is on a tear this year, as evidenced by his hot June. He’s also earned his first All-Star trip. Myers has nineteen home runs and fifty-nine RBI, both personal bests for a season, and is batting around .295.
The Road Less Traveled
Myers was traded around the country to multiple teams, and he fought injury and slumps to regain his confidence at the plate. Now that he has found a home, at least for now, he is excelling. While Myers is just finding his groove, he’s not without a charitable side, as he hosted a 2014 Whiffle Ball Tournament while on the Rays. All the proceeds of the tournament would go to assist the Miracle League of High Point.
Hundreds of players could have won the Player of the Month Award in June. However, it’s especially pleasing to see both of these guys taking home that honor. Fans should wish them nothing but luck in the All-Star Game, where they will play on opposing sides. Will they have an impact? Baseball can’t wait to find out.
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