WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If you’re a baseball fan, there’s no better way to see players and coaches up close than at spring training. An interaction between one of the Astros' top players and one of their biggest fans is proof of just that.
Donna Hopkins arrived at the Astros workout wearing a green shirt and a straw hat, but she left with a new pair of shoes.
"Jose just gave me his shoes," Astros fan Donna said.
On Saturday, Astros’ superstar Jose Altuve reported early to spring training -- taking batting practice, laughing with teammates and later signing autographs. That’s when he spotted Donna.
Donna mentioned she liked Jose's shoes. A few seconds later, he slipped them off, placed them on the ground and security brought them over to her.
“I’m kind of shaking inside," she said, reacting to it.
The shoes were too white, Jose told her.
“And I said when you decide to get rid of them I’ll take them and he just took them off and gave them to me," Donna said.
Donna, who's from the Houston area, is one of the team’s most loyal fans. She’s been coming to spring training for decades and stays for weeks armed with pens, photographs, and baseballs.
The players recognize her. Altuve is her favorite.
“He’s my guy,” she told KHOU 11's Jason Bristol after showing her husband the shoes.
"Jose is so special to me," Donna explained.
She owns a massive autograph collection. And yes, in case you're wondering, she keeps everything.
“Oh no I don’t sell anything," Donna said.
“Come to our house and find out,” Jimmy said.
Donna dreams of one day seeing Jose elected to the Hall of Fame.
“My hope is I’m alive when he goes to the Hall of Fame because I want to see that," she said. “He autographs a lot of stuff for me. This is really, really special.”
Jose Altuve’s shoes are size 8.5. This pair - now belonging to Donna Hopkins - comes with a story and a half.
After dropping those shoes off to her husband, Donna was back getting autographs.