Hunter Brown had plenty of reason to be frustrated during Wednesday’s 11-7 loss to the Phillies. How he expressed that frustration is what drew attention.
The Phillies broadcast called out Brown’s behavior during the game, particularly after a routine groundout handled by Jose Altuve. Brown clapped as Altuve completed the play, raising questions about whether the applause was sarcastic and directed at his teammate.
The moment quickly spread among Astros fans, many of whom interpreted Brown’s reaction as showing up Altuve. Others saw it differently, arguing that Brown may have been reacting to finally getting a clean ground-ball out after several balls found holes earlier in the game.
More Than One Questionable Moment
The clapping was not the only play that drew criticism.
Brown was also faulted for failing to back up home plate on a play from the outfield. Fans discussing the sequence noted both that lapse and the subsequent clapping after Altuve fielded a routine grounder.
One viewer who watched the game live recalled the Phillies broadcasters criticizing Brown for failing to back up home and then clapping toward Altuve on the following batter. The viewer said the broadcast characterized Brown’s behavior as showing up his teammates.
Brown allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits in five innings. He struck out seven without issuing a walk. Houston led 4-0 early, fell behind 5-4, and regained a 6-5 lead before Brown left the game. Philadelphia scored six runs against the Astros bullpen in the sixth on its way to an 11-7 win.
Was Brown Actually Mocking Altuve?
That remains unclear.
Brian McTaggart of MLB.com discussed the clip Thursday on SportsTalk 790. McTaggart said he had seen it but had not asked Brown about the incident. He doubted Brown would intentionally show up Altuve, particularly given Altuve’s standing in the Astros clubhouse.
Astros fans were divided as well. Some viewed the applause as obviously sarcastic; others believed Brown’s frustration was directed at himself, the succession of ground balls finding holes, or the situation generally rather than Altuve.
After the game, Brown praised Altuve’s milestone, calling 2,500 hits “an incredible accomplishment” and adding, “Hopefully, he’s got another 500 more in there.”
Brown’s postgame comments don’t tell us what he intended on the field. Neither does the video. What the video does show is a pitcher expressing his frustration conspicuously enough that an opposing broadcast noticed and Astros fans were still debating his behavior the following day.
Bad Optics Either Way
Brown’s intent may never be clear from the video alone. His actions are easier to evaluate.
Failing to back up home plate is a baseball issue, regardless of Brown’s mood. Clapping toward a teammate after a routine defensive play creates a different problem: It can look as though the pitcher is blaming the defense for what is happening on the mound.
That appearance becomes particularly conspicuous when the teammate is Altuve, who collected the 2,500th hit of his career earlier that night.
Brown is an emotional pitcher, and frustration during a difficult outing is hardly unusual. How a player handles that frustration matters.
Whether the applause was aimed at Altuve or was simply Brown venting after a miserable stretch, the behavior was a bad look. With the Astros fighting to hold their AL West lead, Brown’s attention needs to be on getting outs—not creating questions about how he treats the players behind him.
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