Altuve ignores nine-inch height gap, stands next to 6-foot-3 Hunter for Japan All-Star Series photo

Jose Altuve is a sneaky fella.

The Astros' second baseman and newly-minted Silver Slugger Award Winner has all sorts of tricks up his sleeve (which he used to break Craig Biggio's franchise record for hits in a season). It was clear from the first player workout in Osaka for the Japan All-Star Series that he wasn't going to let a 12-hour flight get him down.

Just take a look at this photograph of the players lining up for a team picture:

Notice anything a bit … out of place? Here, take a closer look:

That's right: The 5-foot-6 Altuve tried sneaking into the second row of the photo, right between the 6-foot Robinson Cano and the 6-foot-3 Tommy Hunter. It's like the famous saying: You're as tall as you feel. Wait -- that's not how that goes. Sorry, Jose. 

(Side note: Exactly what face is Cano making here? Anyway, moving on.)

What if Altuve turns around? Maybe no one will notice the six-inch height difference:

Nope, still obvious. It was worth a shot, we suppose. 

Altuve eventually took his place in the front row, and the players took a pleasant picture that will surely adorn the fronts of all of their Christmas cards this year.  

And hey, don't feel bad. He's never let his height get in his way before:

MLB Network will broadcast all seven games of the Japan All-Star Series and MLB.TV subscribers will be able to watch every game as well. The first exhibition matchup is set for Tuesday 6 p.m. J.T./4 a.m. ET