When Gary Sanchez fired shots at Jose Altuve after Astros star's 2019 ALCS walkoff homer vs Yankees

In a fiery exchange of words, former New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez took a shot at Houston Astros infielder Jose Altuve in 2020. Sanchez's comments came in response to Altuve's walkoff home run in the 2019 American League Championship Series (ALCS), which sent the Astros to the World Series amidst swirling controversy.

During an interview, Sanchez made a bold statement.

"I can tell you this, if I hit a home run to send my team to the World Series, they can rip off my pants. They can rip off anything." - Gary Sanchez had said.

The remark was a clear jab at Altuve, alluding to the widespread speculation surrounding the Astros' alleged sign-stealing scandal during that period.

Gary Sanchez's comments shed light on the lingering animosity between the Yankees and the Astros, a rivalry intensified by the controversial events of the 2017 and 2019 playoffs. Altuve's walkoff homer in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Yankees, celebrated by clutching his jersey close to his body, has been a point of contention for fans and players alike.

The Astros' sign-stealing scandal, which came to light in the aftermath of their 2017 World Series victory, led to a significant stain on the team's reputation. While Altuve has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, the incident has left a lasting impact on the sport and ignited heated discussions across baseball circles.

Gary Sanchez's bold retort reflects the frustration felt by many in the Yankees organization and their fans, who believed that the Astros' alleged cheating deprived them of a fair shot at glory. The rivalry between the two teams continues to fuel passion and competitiveness on the field.

Gary Sanchez's Journey in the Major League

Minnesota Twins v Los Angeles Dodgers LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Gary Sanchez #24 of the Minnesota Twins runs after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 10, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Gary Sanchez is a Dominican professional baseball catcher currently affiliated with the New York Mets organization. Throughout his career, he has played in MLB for both the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins.

Sanchez made his MLB debut with the Yankees back in 2015 and quickly made a name for himself. In August 2016, he was honored as both the American League's Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month. Despite playing in just 53 games, Sanchez had an extraordinary rookie season, breaking records and finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting.

The following year, he was selected as an All-Star and received the prestigious Silver Slugger award. Notably, Sanchez holds the distinction of being the fastest catcher in MLB history to reach the 100-home run mark.

"This is video after Altuve hit the walkoff HR against Chapman in Game 6 of the ALCS. He approaches home plate adamantly telling his teammates not to rip off his jersey and he ran straight to the tunnel instead of celebrating. He was hiding a buzzer" - @ShippySpins had posted on Twitter in 2020.