I'm not one of those who view sports celebrities as heroes. It is too easy to overlook everyday heroes whose sacrifices receive no media attention, while high-profile athletes or entertainers are held up as role models.

But I make an exception for Jose Altuve, for my personal 2017 "Houstonian of the Year." Altuve does not "need" the recognition; he is already honored as the American League MVP and Sports Illustrated's sportsman of the year (along with J.J. Watt.) Yet his national accolades do not fully highlight how well he symbolizes the values of modern Houston.

Most of the people who live in our region came from somewhere else seeking economic opportunity. So naturally, most of us understand that it shouldn't matter who your daddy was or how long you lived here - if you work hard and play by the rules, you are as much a Houstonian as anyone else. That attitude has helped foster Houston's distinct business and civic culture, resting on merit-based economic success and respect for diversity.

Jose Altuve demonstrates the value of overcoming stereotypes when hiring and promoting employees. Despite his exceptional ability as a young player, the scouts would not even let him try out at first. They said he was too short and looked younger than the minimum age for tryouts. When eventually he was signed as an undrafted free agent, his $15,000 signing bonus was paltry by those given to taller players with less ability.

Studies show that our brains tend to reflect biases based on appearance. Malcolm Gladwell's book "Blink," for example, describes how, without conscious racism, African-Americans develop biases reflecting low expectations concerning other African-Americans. Michael Lewis' best-selling book, "The Undoing Project", tells how the Houston Rockets overcame the tendency of scouts to rank basketball prospects partly, and mistakenly, based on their physical resemblance to established stars.

Altuve's success shows how an employer's willingness to suspend stereotyping is good business, and not only an issue of fundamental fairness (and in some cases, legal compliance.) By setting aside biases and taking a bit more time to examine an individual's potential or performance, employers often can discover a "hidden gem," perhaps the added benefit of grit acquired by those who have overcome obstacles.

When Altuve came up to bat late in the season, a loud chorus of hometown fans repeatedly chanted three letters - "M-V-P! M-V-P!" Another three-syllable chant would have celebrated another key to the Astros' championship - "IM-MI-GRANTS." The Astros owe much of their success to hires from Cuba and Venezuela as well as citizens from Puerto Rico. They played well in the field and anchored the batting lineup. We didn't complain about the loss of an "American job" when Altuve, a native of Venezuela, came up to bat.

You also don't hear many complaints when lives are saved by many talented immigrants working in Houston's elite hospitals. And, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, few complained when so many residents depended on hard-working foreign-born workers for much of the vital sheet rock and floor removal and replacement.

The first generation of immigrants to Texas - the "Anglo" Texians that migrated to the Mexican province that included modern-day Texas - used their own hands to build their homes here. How many native-born Texans today can do so without relying on the labor and skills of recent immigrants?

Obviously there is a legal difference between immigrants with current green cards and those who stayed past the expiration of work or tourist visas. Americans can debate in good faith how best to bring our immigration laws in line with our social and economic realities. But denying the importance of immigrant workers to Houston is like denying their contributions - including those of Altuve - to the World Series championship.

Yes, Mr. Altuve has the benefit of extraordinary hand-eye coordination. For that he may thank God and his parents' genes. But, at the close of 2017, let us thank Altuve for reminding us "not to judge a book by its cover" and for symbolizing the immense contributions to our city of those who have immigrated to our nation.

White, chairman of Lazard Houston, is a former Houston mayor.