For Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, the evidence was in his socks.
The 34-year-old Altuve tried to unsettle plate umpire Brennan Miller after he hit a grounder to third base for the final out of the inning in the bottom of the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. The ball appeared to hit Altuve’s leg, but Miller didn’t believe it.
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada argues with home plate umpire Brennan Miller as second baseman Jose Altuve looks on during a game against the Padres, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
So Altuve set out to prove his point.
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“When you get hit anywhere on your hand, sometimes you take your batting gloves off to show you’ve been hit, and I was going to do the same,” he said after the game.
“That couldn’t be happening,” he said. “That was all going through my mind. It was the top of the ninth, we had a runner on second and we were playing a good pitcher in (Robert) Suarez, who was our closer, so of course I was going to get a hit, score a run and win the game.”
Altuve began to take off his socks and cleats and walked over to show them to Miller, and both he and manager Joe Espada were immediately ejected.


Houston Astros player Jose Altuve points to his foot after removing his socks and shoes during the bottom of the ninth inning against the Padres, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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“The ball hit my foot, it was a foul ball and the other guy took it away. I don’t think that’s possible. There were four guys on the field and you could see the ball changed direction. You just have to make the right decision.”
After the fight, Espada claimed it was a wrong call.
“The moment he steps in, you have to see the trajectory of the ball. I don’t get it. I don’t get it. It’s happened twice this year. I have a lot of respect for the umpires. They work hard. But there are four guys out there. You have to be able to see it. They missed that call.”


Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros reacts to home plate umpire Brennan Miller during a game against the Padres, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
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Glare Kessinger replaced Altuve and scored the go-ahead run in the 10th inning to help the Astros beat the Padres, 4-3.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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