Jose Altuve vs Aaron Judge Height: How the 13-inch height difference between towering Yankees star and diminutive Astros hero created an iconic meme

Jose Altuve is one of the shortest players in the game. Altuve was, in fact, denied the opportunity to try out for the Houston Astros, as the scouts felt he was lying about his age. However, he returned with his birth certificate the next day and the rest, as they say, is history. His performances over the past decade have ensured that he stands tall among his contemporaries as one of baseball's most prolific hitters.

Altuve's height is listed as 5-foot-6. By comparison, the tallest player in the league, New York Yankees skipper Aaron Judge, stands at 6-7, making Altuve shorter by 13 inches.

"ICYMI: Aaron Judge and José Altuve are not the same height. #ALCS"

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates after hitting a ground rule double in the eight inning as Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros looks on during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 17, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

The famous Aaron Judge and Altuve picture from Oct. 17, 2017, spawned many hilarious memes on MLB Twitter.

"Another pic of Jose Altuve and Aaron Judge ..."

"A pitch at Jose Altuve's face is still a strike for Aaron Judge. (@_dadler)"

"Judge: 'Felt a raindrop. I think it's raining.' Altuve: 'I don't feel anything.' Judge: 'It's still falling. Should reach you any minute.'"

"New Jose Altuve Aaron Judge meme"

Irrespective of their heights, Judge and Altuve go toe-to-toe as they chase MLB greatness. In fact, there have been players shorter than the Venezuelan powerhouse in the history of MLB.

If not Jose Altuve, who is the shortest MLB player in history?

Eddie Gaedel stood at a mere 3-7 above the ground. St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck had a penchant for publicity stunts and that is believed to be the reason for Gaedel's solitary MLB appearance for the Browns in 1951. It is quite unlikely that his record will ever be broken.

"Eddie Gaedel, Sportsman's Park, Aug. 19, 1951. The 3' 7" Gaedel's lone plate appearance was a publicity stunt from Browns owner Bill Veeck. He wore jersey number "1/8" & reached first base on a 4-pitch walk."

In 2016, the Astros signed Tony Kemp, who also stands at 5-6. Kemp and Altuve were part of the maligned 2017 World Series-winning Astros squad.