The Houston Astros’ cheating scandal of 2019 rocked the baseball world to its core. Picture this: the Astros, crowned World Series champions in 2017, were caught red-handed using a high-tech sign-stealing scheme that involved a camera system to spy on opposing teams’ signs. Those signals were then passed on to Astros batters through an unconventional (and shady) method—trash can banging. 

One of those players was none other than Jose Altuve—a six-time All-Star and three-time batting champion. But with that success came suspicion, as whispers about his involvement in the scheme grew louder. Despite being one of the game’s brightest stars, Altuve found himself caught up in a cloud of controversy.  

MLB’s investigation into the Astros’ cheating scandal confirmed that Altuve was not only aware of the sign-stealing scheme but that he likely benefited from it, considering his crucial role in the 2017 team. Fast forward to 2025, and Altuve is inching closer to some significant career milestones. According to Buster Olney’s post, he’s just 21 homers away from 250, needs 44 more runs to hit 1,200, and 18 hits to reach 2,250. 

With a lifetime batting average of .306 (the highest among active players), 7 Silver Slugger Awards, and a likely future in the Hall of Fame with career WAR numbers surpassing the likes of Billy Herman, Joe Gordon, Jeff Kent, and Ian Kinsler, Altuve has a career many would envy. But, of course, there’s that shadow hanging over him—the scandal. Fans, even on Buster Olney’s post on X, haven’t let it go. 

Fans react to Jose Altuve’s incredible numbers  

Many comments reflected a deep division in how baseball fans and analysts view Jose Altuve’s career in the aftermath of the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal. The verified facts of the 2017 controversy serve as the foundation for this statement. According to MLB’s investigation, Altuve and other Astros teammates knew about and profited from an unlawful sign-stealing scheme, as highlighted by one user. 

Another commenter implied that Altuve may have already demonstrated a pattern of dishonesty or poor behavior in the fan’s opinion, linking the 2017 controversy to any potential future “controversies” involving his career. 

One fan brought up the larger discussion about personal behavior and Hall of Fame voting. Despite their stellar records, writers have continuously excluded Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Alex Rodriguez from the Hall of Fame because of their associations with performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and other scandals. 

Some fans blatantly rejected Altuve’s accomplishments in light of the scandal, who believe the 2017 World Series title and Altuve’s MVP award were obtained through illicit means. So, no amount of statistics can undo the perceived stain of cheating, as highlighted by another user.

Another comment emphasizes the “character clause” in Hall of Fame voting, which allows voters to consider a player’s character and integrity in addition to their on-field performance. Many Hall of Fame voters have used this clause to justify their exclusion of players like Bonds, Clemens, and Rodriguez, despite their incredible on-field achievements. 

Fans have been rooted in the belief that the Astros’ cheating scandal permanently tainted the legacies of the players involved, particularly Altuve, whose stellar career now faces the challenge of convincing fans and voters that his accomplishments were earned fairly. For some, no matter how impressive his career numbers are, the ethical breach of the sign-stealing scandal remains an insurmountable obstacle to Hall of Fame induction or widespread recognition of his greatness.