The All-Star Game presented by MasterCard is special to the six Astros in Washington, D.C., for Tuesday's game for different reasons.
For third baseman Alex Bregman and pitcher Charlie Morton, it's meaningful because it's their first Midsummer Classic. For pitcher Justin Verlander, it's validation that he's as good as he's ever been at age 35. Jose Altuve, who's a six-time All-Star and reigning AL Most Valuable Player at 28 years old, never takes one for granted.
"I'm as happy as I was my first five All-Stars, and I hope in my career I can get even more," he said.