Astros apologize, sort of, for sign stealing
Alex Bregman spoke for about 30 seconds and said he was sorry, but did not say why. He said he had learned, but did not say what.
On a patch of grass between theHouston Astros’ spring training building and fields in West Palm Beach, Florida, under a sun obscured by clouds, the star third baseman stepped to amicrophone at a news conference, becoming the first player Thursday to apologize— without really discussing with any detail — for the sign-stealing scheme from the club’s 2017 World Series championship season.
“I am really sorry about the choices that weremade by my team, by the organization and by me. I have learned from this and I hope to regain the trust of baseball fans,” Bregman began, before thanking Astros fans and saying he and his teammates “are totally focused onmoving forward to the 2020 season.”
And thus the script was set
he most eyebrow-raising statement came soon thereafter, when Astros owner Jim Crane replied to a question from a reporter by saying: “Our opinion is that this didn’t impact the game. We had a good team. We won the World Series. And we’ll leave it at that.”
Moments later, Crane tried to backtrack, saying, “It’s hard to determine how it impacted the game, if it impacted the game.”
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred disciplined the Astros after he found the team broke rules by using electronics to steal signs during 2017 and2018. The investigation found the Astros used the video feed from a center field camera to view and decode opposing catchers’ signs. Players banged on a trash can to signal to batters what was coming, believing it would improve chances of getting a hit.
Manager AJ Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow were given one-year suspensions by Manfred; Crane then quickly fired both. MLB did not punish any players for the cheating and Crane said he stood by that. PILLAR, RED SOX AGREE TO
1-YEAR » Free agent outfielderKevin Pillar and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a one-year, $4million deal, multiple media outlets reported. The deal reportedly would be finalized if Pillar passes his physical this weekend.
Pillar, 31, started last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, then was acquired by the San Francisco Giants in a fourplayer trade in early April. He combined to bat .259 with a .287 on-base percentage, a .432 slugging percentage, 21 home runs, 37 doubles, three triples and 88 RBIs in 161 games in 2019. YANKEES’ CHAPMAN CALLS ALTUVE’S ACTIONS ‘ SUSPICIOUS’ » Aroldis Chapman understands that he threw the pitch and hasn’t dodged responsibility.
But when the New York Yankees left-hander sees the video of Jose Altuve rounding the bases after the series-ending homer in Game 6 of the 2019 American League Championship Series, he wonders if Altuve knew that an offspeed pitch was coming.
As the Houston Astros second baseman nears home plate, he grabs his shirt and yells at his teammates not to rip off his jersey. Altuve’s actions have increased speculation that the team’s sign- stealing scandal included the use of wiring devices.
“I’ve seen that video,” Chapman said Thursday in Tampa, Florida. “A lot of people have seen that video. It’s a popular video right now.
“And yeah, if you look at his actions, they look a little suspicious. At the end of the day, I just don’t know. I can’t tell you if he had the sign or didn’t have the sign -- I don’t know. That’s a good question for him and for those guys. I just don’t know.” DIAMONDBACKS’ LEAKE FRACTURES LEFT WRIST » Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Leake was diagnosed with a fractured left wrist and hopes to be recovered for the start of the regular season. Leake underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday and that is when the fracture was detected.
Leake, 32, said he recently fell while chasing his dog and believes he aggravated an old fracture. He was sporting a brace onthe wrist while talking to reporters on Thursday.
Leake will be unable to play catch and will get his throwing in by plucking balls out of a bucket. PEDROIA (KNEE) WON’T REPORT MONDAY » Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia will not report on time to spring training because of continued soreness in his left knee. Position players are scheduled to arrive Monday in Fort Myers, Florida, but interim manager Ron Roenicke confirmed Thursday that the 36-year-old Pedroia will not be there.
The four-time All- Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, two-timeWorld Series champion and 2008 American LeagueMVP has only played in nine games over the past two seasons.