He has also been a gold glove-winning second baseman. Add to that the fact that Altuve is only 5'6" in a sport dominated by physically bigger men. If the game is on the line, I'd rather have Altuve up to bat than anyone.
Ah. An extremely gifted athlete at cricket.
I believe there is a difference between sportsman and athlete.
Perhaps I am alone in that thought.
But then, why did they not call it “Athlete of the year?”