Most Unpopular Player Among Yankees Fans Out for Two Months

He shouldn’t count on receiving any “Get Well” cards from the Bronx. No player stirs up as much animosity from Yankees fans as Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.

His reputation stems from being a stellar player who has repeatedly bested the Yankees both in regular-season games and playoffs, and from his role in the 2017 cheating scandal, which deprived the Yankees of a championship and Aaron Judge of an MVP award.

Even after five years since the scandal, Yankees fans continue to taunt him with chants of “[Bleep] Altuve!” at Yankee Stadium. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Altuve is expected to miss approximately the first two months of the season due to a broken right thumb sustained from a pitch during the World Baseball Classic.

Altuve left the field in the fifth inning of the game between the United States and Venezuela after being struck on his right thumb by a 95-mph sinker from Daniel Bard. This injury knocked him to the ground.

While Yankees fans may not wish him a speedy recovery, they likely hope to see him back in time for the August series at Yankee Stadium. If the Yankees fail to overcome the Astros in the postseason, they’ll relish the opportunity to taunt Altuve.

Think Yankees fans have let it go? Check out the responses to any attempt to exonerate Altuve from the cheating allegations.

Even Aaron Judge has joined in the mockery. After hitting a home run in Houston in 2021, Judge’s two-handed shirt tug during his trot was interpreted as a subtle jab at Altuve, suggesting he might have been using a sign-stealing device during the 2019 ALCS. Judge, with a smirk, claimed he was merely signaling his team to button up their jackets due to the chilly indoor conditions.

Last fall, despite a Yankees sweep in the ALCS and Altuve’s struggles at the plate, fans continued to revel in his slump.