Whereas a visit to the White House is historically a once-in-a-lifetime honor for the MLB World Series champions, the presence of Trump in the Oval Office has all but soured the time honored tradition. And second-baseman Jose Altuve’s poker face let everyone know exactly how he was feeling.
While the American League MVP opted to attend today’s ceremony – Carlos Beltran and Carlos Correa skipped the visit altogether – his piercing side eye more than compensated for his silence.
At the conclusion of the event, Altuve even avoided shaking Trump’s hand in what amounted to a humiliating moment for the president.
Can't decide here: Did Trump totally skip AL MVP Jose Altuve for a handshake or did Altuve just want no part of it? Either way, kinda awkward. pic.twitter.com/TQrjYOeciv
— Mike Oz (@mikeoz) March 12, 2018
Altuve proceeded to blatantly ignore the president at every occasion possible, even going so far as to purposefully not clap during applause breaks.
ASTROS MANAGER TO TRUMP: we're honored to be here
Jose Altuve, being the hero we all deserve: pic.twitter.com/yTyN4m0xyW
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) March 12, 2018
Jose Altuve looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. pic.twitter.com/Gj8WEnfR2X
— Jason Foster (@ByJasonFoster) March 12, 2018
Jose Altuve vs. Trump, round two pic.twitter.com/VRQnqXL6CS
— 12up (@12upSport) March 12, 2018
This is not the first time that a championship team has foregone their White House visit. The NBA’s Golden State Warriors famously skipped their visit and instead took Washington, D.C. area students to the Museum of African American History and Culture.
Point guard Steph Curry explained his opposition to going in no uncertain terms.
“We don’t stand for basically what our president has — the things that he’s said and the things that he hasn’t said in the right times, that we won’t stand for it,” Curry said. “And by acting and not going, hopefully that will inspire some change when it comes to what we tolerate in this country and what is accepted and what we turn a blind eye to.”
While Altuve’s presence at the White House may have seemed like validation for Trump, his demeanor – and the photos – made it all worth it.
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