Houston Astros newcomer José Altuve sheds light on team culture

Last year Trey Cabbage played against the Houston Astros. This year he’s playing For them.

When Cabbage joined the Los Angeles Angels last summer, his MLB debut came against the Astros. He got to meet some of the players and catch a glimpse of them from across the field.

This year, it’s a whole different story. After being traded to Houston last season, he now sees how the team operates from the inside.

And so far, he likes what he sees.

In a recent interview with Apollo Media, the 27-year-old outfielder spoke about joining the Astros and what he thinks of his new teammates.

“Everybody in that locker room just wants to win. Everybody in that locker room is fighting for the guy next to them, and that’s awesome,” Cabbage said. “If you’re in it to win, they don’t care. They’re just ready to go, and that’s the best part about it. You can be whoever you want to be as long as we go out and win baseball games.”

That’s the benefit of having an experienced, seasoned team. Some of Houston’s players, like Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve, have been together for years, creating a strong sense of camaraderie within the club that Cabbage felt right away. He also said he felt welcomed despite coming from a rival division.

As for his new teammates, Cabbage said Bregman is less serious than he expected, calling him a “kid.” He’s also a big fan of Altuve, citing his positive attitude and impressive work ethic.

“Oh, he’s awesome. Every time he comes in, he’s like, ‘What’s up?’” Cabbage said. “You see him work, you see him get off his butt, it’s unbelievable. And then the things he can do being the incredible athlete that he is, it’s crazy. And at 34, he’s still doing it? The guy’s a legend.”

Suffice it to say, Cabbage seems comfortable and enjoying his new surroundings, especially now that the Astros have managed to turn things around. His performance has also improved, with his OPS up nearly 80 points from last year.

No wonder he’s having so much fun.