MLB Will Investigate Incident Involving Houston Astros Executive
Astros assistant general manager Brandon Taubman apologized Tuesday for his Saturday outburst but denied he had shown a “regressive attitude” about domestic violence as outlined in a Sports Illustrated article detailing the incident.
“Domestic violence is extraordinarily serious and everyone in baseball must use care to not engage in any behavior —- whether intentional or not —- that could be construed as minimizing the egregiousness of an act of domestic violence,” Major League Baseball said.
We're going back, to #TakeItBack!! pic.twitter.com/4eFUCKOyxS
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 20, 2019
“We became aware of this incident through the Sports Illustrated article.
The Astros have disputed Sports Illustrated’s characterization of the incident.
MLB will interview those involved before commenting further.”
Taubman admitted yelling at three female reporters regarding relief pitcher Roberto Osuna as the Astros celebrate beating the New York Yankees on Saturday to win the American League crown.
“My comments were unprofessional and inappropriate,” Taubman said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Sports Illustrated, Taubman turned, unprompted, to the women — one of whom was wearing a domestic violence awareness bracelet — and yelled six times:
“Thank God we got Osuna.
I’m so fucking glad we got Osuna.”
Another Astros team staffer apologized to the women for the rant.
Hinch Dismayed
Osuna was suspended for 75 games in 2018 after allegedly assaulting the mother of his then-three-year-old child.
He was later signed by the Astros from the Toronto Blue Jays despite the ban.
The controversy erupted as the Astros prepared to face the Washington Nationals later Tuesday in game one of the World Series.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch called the furor disappointing and unfortunate.
“I didn’t know until the story came out and I read it about the same time a lot of people did,” he said.
“I’m very disappointed for a lot of reasons.
It’s unfortunate, it’s uncalled for.
“For me as a leader in this organization down here in the clubhouse, on the field, I take everything that happens in the clubhouse to heart.
No one – it doesn’t matter if it’s a player, a coach, a manager, any members of the media — should ever feel like when you come into our clubhouse that you’re going to be uncomfortable or disrespected.
“I wasn’t there.
I don’t know to the extent of what happened.
I haven’t talked to every single person in the organization, as you would expect.
I’ve been knee-deep in the Washington Nationals.
But I think we all need to be better across the board, in the industry.
I understand why it’s a question today, and I appreciate it.
But I was disappointed.”
The Astros had initially responded with a statement calling SI’s story “misleading and completely irresponsible,” saying Taubman was being supportive to a player who “was being asked questions about a difficult outing.”
Brandon Taubman is Sorry and Embarrassed
But the Houston Chronicle reported that other reporters supported SI’s version, saying no player was being interviewed when Taubman began yelling and that the comments were directed to the women reporters.
That set the stage for Taubman’s apology.
“This past Saturday, during our clubhouse celebration, I used inappropriate language for which I am deeply sorry and embarrassed,” Taubman said.
“In retrospect, I realize that my comments were unprofessional and inappropriate.
“My overexuberance in support of a player has been misinterpreted as a demonstration of a regressive attitude about an important social issue.
Those that know me to know that I am a progressive and charitable member of the community, and a loving and committed husband and father.
“I hope that those who do not know me understand that the Sports Illustrated article does not reflect who I am or my values.
I am sorry if anyone was offended by my actions.”
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Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane said the team has a history of calling out the issue of domestic violence.
Signs in every bathroom in the team ‘s ballpark provide contact information to help people escape domestic violence.
“The Astros continue to be committed to using our voice to create awareness and support on the issue of domestic violence,” noting the club insists on annual mandatory training for all employees, has a partnership with the Texas Council on Family Violence and has raised more than $300,000 to help agencies that provide support for domestic abuse victims.
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