The Houston Astros have one of baseball’s best teams in 2025, and there has been a lot of turnover throughout the roster. Whether it’s due to players struggling in the Majors and getting sent down, or injuries piling up, the Astros have had a lot of players come and go this season.
But they’ve stayed afloat and even thrived. Thanks in large part due to the great culture the team has built. According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, that culture is led by veteran second baseman Jose Altuve.
“Culture is something that’s hard to define,” Rome writes. “But the Astros have it. Altuve is the main character and catalyst. Maybe the best way to distill it is this: Players who come from other organizations always marvel at how welcoming Houston’s clubhouse is.”
That welcoming vibe and characterization of the Astros’ culture is centered around Altuve. The veteran has been around plenty of different teams in his career. From bottom feeders to World Series contenders, Altuve has seen it all in the Astros’ clubhouse.
His experience and veteran leadership have made the Astros’ clubhouse what it is today: a welcoming one that has other players praising it upon their arrival. It’s not easy building such a positive culture, but Altuve has led the Astros there.
“Players have said there is an unspoken understanding that anyone who walks in is immediately accepted.” Rome wrote. “There are few rules but an expectation to work hard and put the team first.”
This culture, centered around Altuve, has made the Astros consistent contenders, even if there are a lot of “holes” on the team. Altuve is a blessing for the Astros, and they wouldn’t be the same without him.
