Astros' Altuve wins 1st batting title in club history

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve didn't want to win the American League batting title lying down.

The 24-year-old second baseman clinched the first batting title in team history with a 2-for-4 performance in the season finale Sunday vs. the New York Mets to raise his average to a league-best .341.

"This is way better than just sitting on the bench and waiting for something," Altuve said after the game.

Altuve held a three-point lead over Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez entering the day, and muscled his way (see stack below) into the lineup despite resistance from the team.

Martinez went 0-for-3 in the Tigers' 3-0 AL Central-clinching win over the Minnesota Twins, so Altuve would still would have won the batting title if he decided to sit out. 

Altuve finishes the campaign as the MLB leader in hits (225) and also led the AL in stolen bases (56).