In an interview with ESPN’s Karl Ravech and during a press conference at the Braves’ Spring Training camp earlier today, commissioner Rob Manfred discussed a number of topics surrounding the game, but the bulk of attention was directly on the ongoing fallout from the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
Asked by Ravech why no Astros players were suspended or fined as part of the league’s investigation, Manfred said that “in a perfect world it would have happened. We ended up where we ended up in pursuit of really, I think, the most important goal of getting the facts and getting them out there for people to know it.”
Players were given immunity so that the league could freely acquire information on the details of the now-infamous sign-stealing process, which involved Astros players alerting (using signals ranging from whistling to banging a trash can) teammates at the plate as to what pitches were coming, after the Astros used real-time video technology to observe rival catchers’ signs. Such use of available video was forbade in a memo sent from the Commissioner’s Office to teams in 2017, but Manfred said Astros players weren’t made aware of the seriousness of the offense.
“The memorandum went to the general manager, and then nothing was done from the GM down,” Manfred said. “So we knew if we had disciplined the players in all likelihood we were going to have grievances and grievances that we were going to lose on the basis that we never properly informed them of the rules. Given those two things, No. 1, I knew where, or I’m certain where the responsibilities should lay in the first instance and given the fact we didn’t think we could make discipline stick with the players, we made the decision we made.”
Since the league’s ruling on the Astros’ punishment last month, Major League Baseball has faced widespread criticism from both fans and rival players about not only a seeming lack of discipline directed towards Houston players, but also at the franchise itself. While the Astros were fined $5MM and lost four draft picks, the fact that the organization wasn’t formally stripped of its 2017 World Series title has not sat well with many around the sport.
As Manfred told the Associated Press and other journalists, the league considered such a singular measure but decided against taking the championship away from the Astros.
“First of all, it had never happened in baseball,” Manfred said. “I am a precedent guy. The 2017 World Series will always be looked at as different, whether not you put an asterisk or ask for the trophy back. Once you go down that road as for changing the result on the field, I just don’t know where you stop.”
In regards to Astros players, Manfred told Ravech that the outrage directed at the team has served as a measure of additional punishment unto itself. “I think if you watch the players, watch their faces when they have to deal with this issue publicly, they have paid a price,” Manfred said. “To think they’re skipping down the road into spring training, happy, that’s just a mischaracterization of where we are.”
The early response to Manfred’s comments have not been positive, with particular criticism directed towards his rather flippant description of the Commissioner’s Trophy (as Manfred told Ravech, “The idea of an asterisk or asking for a piece of metal back seems like a futile act“). As much as the league and the Astros would like to put the incident behind them, that outcome doesn’t seem possible in the near future given the amount of attention that several of the game’s biggest stars continue to focus on the situation. It also doesn’t help that Astros management and players continue to dig themselves into deeper public relations holes on a near-daily basis, whether it’s giving non-specific apologies during awkward press conferences, being unduly outraged at being accused of different methods of cheating during the 2017-19 span, and all the while insisting that the 2017 World Series was legitimately won.
The heated comments between the Astros and rival players has troubled Manfred, particularly statements from such pitchers as Ross Stripling and Mike Clevinger that Astros players might be hit by pitches as retaliation. Manfred met with several MLB managers today, and told reporters at Sunday’s press event that, “I hope that I made it extremely clear to them that retaliation in-game by throwing at a batter intentionally will not be tolerated, whether it’s Houston or anybody else. It’s dangerous and it is not helpful to the current situation.”
In addition, Manfred told Ravech that the league is preparing “a memorandum about intentionally throwing at batters. It’s really dangerous. Completely independent from the Astros investigation, we’ll be issuing a memorandum on hit by pitches which will increase the disciplinary ramifications of that type of behavior. I think that will be a tool for dealing with whatever flows from the Houston situation.”
If the Astros controversy wasn’t enough, there’s also the other ongoing league investigation into another championship team’s alleged improper use of video equipment, namely the 2018 Red Sox. Manfred said that he hopes that investigation will be concluded within two weeks’ time. It isn’t known what punishment could await the Boston organization, though as with the Astros case, Red Sox players were also given immunity in exchange for their insight on the matter.
mcslims
In a perfect world it would have happened…? You could have made it happen!
shawn hemp
I can’t wait for the brawls to happen. Imma have my popcorn ready.
looiebelongsinthehall
“I’m a precedent guy”. How can there be a precedent without a commissioner with balls to have ruled that first time?
Kayrall
Opposing teams should start with an opener against the stros every game, a guy that can take the punishment doled out by the league each day.
oldmanmiller
The Jays should bring back Bolsinger for their first game
parx
I hope the Astros set the record for most times hit by pitches this season, I want to see fastballs on their hips every single game, Altuve Correa Bregman and Springer all deserve to be thrown at, cheaters reap what they sow
chino31
Ironic the record for the most HBP in a season is an Astro, Biggio.
Bill Skiles
Manfred is taking that away too. The punishment for hbp will be severe. The punishment for cheating in the 2017 WS will be nothing, zero, nada.
.
frozeninneohio
Exactly!
wordonthestreet
Lol
sf2win
It’s rare to hear someone actually admit to be being a follower, as opposed to claiming they’re a leader.
uncle mike
Manfred…..To politely say it…. is a Goof Ball!!!!! That’s to say the least!! Something needs to be done about him before he turns the great game of Professional Baseball upside down.
dynamite drop in monty
Jesus what is wrong with you blood starved maniacs
live42day
Lmfao @dynamite drop
siddfinch1079
Dynamite drop in, Monty!
takeitback
No, he couldn’t. The player’s association would go for it. Did you not watch the interview?
Ry.the.Stunner
Several of the team representatives for the player’s union have spoken out and said they should’ve been suspended, so I disagree with your assessment.
BKS1110
Team reps from the union are just go betweens the help guide the players and facilitate communication etc. They don’t have actual power in running the union.
Harwood
Actually labor unions are technically supposed to be “democratic” in nature. So technically every player has power in running the union. All they need to do is have a simple vote, especially if leadership is dead set on protecting a few individuals against the behest of the majority of union members.
looiebelongsinthehall
Sometimes you have to bite the bullet even when you expect a non-favorable outcome as the fight helps other issues move forward. Occasionally I’ll take a case to trial because it’s the best I got at the time and a message to the other side that you will fight needs to be sent. Such can actually make it cheaper or better in the long run on a cumulative basis.
fox471 Dave
“Best you got?” Lawyer? Really?
giantsphan12
I’m with you LOOIE. Sometimes a disciplinary action must be applied even if the circumstances aren’t “perfect.” Regarding your “precedent” comment above. I too agree. Manfred says he’s a “precedent guy.” But if no precedent exists, and you’re a “precedent guy” then have the guts to SET A PRECEDENT!! Take the effing trophy away (and the players’ bonus’s, rings, etc.). That sets a precedent that I believe would be very effective going forward to make teams/players really consider if this kind of egregious behavior is worth the risk.
cc10cc
I agree – when the integrity of game is at stake, don’t try for a perfect solution – do what you can under the circumstances – Set the precedent! Make it very clear that the players and Crane (or any other owner) won’t get away with this.
The Umpire Strikes Back
The Players Union should be representing the best interests of the players who didn’t cheat.
uncle mike
Amen to that!!!! Umpire Strikes back !!
mistry gm
Manfred is an incompetant ass. Is he going to apologize to the 1919 Sox now? Wow, what a spineless fool. Resign Mr. Manfred, right after you man up and suspend everyone involved. Baseball is much worse now …. because of YOU. You are not acting in the best interest of the sport. Take your STUPID proposed rule changes and get out.
bigdonkey44adam_dunn
ditto! Bravo!!
uncle mike
I Agree!!!
ronnyalton
Lawyers should be banned from running baseball operations. Manfred and company are ruining the game that we’ve loved for so long.
bencole
Dude don’t blame us. It’s the marketing agenda part that’s the problem, he’s a marketing guy more than a lawyer, even if he’s both.
ColossusOfClout
FIRE MANFRED!!!! This cover up artist needs to go.
PhanaticDuck26
I actually agree with his comment on the trophy– it is just a piece of metal, literally. The value in the trophy comes from its symbolic meaning, and the beautiful thing about symbols is that they mean different things to different people. The court of public opinion here is so vehemently anti-Astros; the vast majority of us believe that that trophy is a fake and is not deserved. Keeping it or taking it away doesn’t make a difference; they are going to live with that stain for the rest of their careers, and Manfred hinted at this as a ripple-effect punishment (and I agree with him). The scripted, rehearsed, “sorry-for-getting-caught” comments from Crane, Bregman, and Altuve looked really, really bad on the outside in the heat of the moment. But long-term, they will always have to live with the fact that they wouldn’t have done this without cheating, and that will continue to eat at them. I think that’s a pretty good punishment.
McGurk
Ofcourse it makes a difrence, otherwise people wouldn’t be calling for it. If they are going to live with the stain of what they did either way, I would rather they deal with that stain without tainting the integrity of the game further by keeping the trophy and flying the banners. I mean, if it doesn’t matter if they keep it or not, why should they keep it?
steveguy13
I agree with this. I think letting them keep the title is almost worse punishment than taking it away. I don’t like manfred and disagree with most everything he’s done as commissioner but he’s right that the Astros are going to be punished pretty hard by society for this, and them holding on to this tainted title has to add to the humiliation.
ImACubsFanSoWhat
Letting them keep the trophy is a worse punishment? What? Hahahaha I get what you’re saying… but you’re wrong. Unless they paint the trophy black, put an asterisk in the history/record books, and never actually refer to them as WS champs. Oh, and punish the players.
sf2win
Every time the Astr*s pull it out, put it on display, or even reference it, they’re going to get hit with more questions about its legitimacy. Let ‘em keep it. It’s stopped being a trophy – more & more, it’s a ball and chain
fox471 Dave
The 2017 title needs to be vacated.
Gwynning
100%
stymeedone
@raltongo
Manfred makes it sound like Astro players being hit by a pitch will get extra scrutiny, and perhaps more severe punishment. Doesn’t that give Astros players the advantage? They can dig in a little more and crowd the plate, because if they get hit, the pitcher was already warned by the commissioner. He should have kept his mouth shut until until something actually occurred. It would have been just desserts to have Astros players stepping into the box, worried that they might be thrown at because of what they did.
neillshanahan
Here’s a suggestion.
Boycott all Houston Astros away games till MLB strips them of their 2017 title. Near-empty parks will send the loudest message.
giantsphan12
@raltongo, I think your point is valid. However (and I’m sorry,
I am generally against bringing politics into the sports’ world), you make the same point that Susan Collins made: “I think he learned his lesson.” Clearly, “he” didn’t. You’re assuming the Asteriks will “feel badly” about their actions. But look at Correa’s comments about how they legitimately won the WS. He doesn’t seem too be feeling much contrition at this point.
Manfredsajoke
Manfred needs to be replaced. He’s very bad at his job.
bigdonkey44adam_dunn
he suxs!
Rallyshirt
Childfred.
shawn hemp
Any publicity is good publicity. This is the most I’ve heard baseball talked about since steroids. Ratings are gonna be up. Astros and mlb gonna make more money. I bet they thought this out and did this on purpose. Scandalous but smart
eephus11
That’s the world we live in. Negative pub is better than none at all.
kroeg49
Absolutely. Manfred pulled a Goodell.
martras
No, Manfred couldn’t have punished the players and he directly said as much.
“So we knew if we had disciplined the players in all likelihood we were going to have grievances and grievances that we were going to lose…”
Manfred’s being pragmatic here. It would have wasted time, money, and damaged relations with the MLBPA if he had pursued player punishments.
giantsphan12
Martas, I don’t disagree about individual punishments to particular players (regarding grievances). But, in one fell-swoop, he could’ve simply stripped them of their 2017 title. To me, that is a necessary punishment to the whole team, and the individual players. And, any potential grievances wouldn’t be valid with that move.
martras
It’s not the clusterfuck like the NCAA. As Manfred said, setting the precedent starts you down a very slippery slope. Do you hand the World Series to the Dodgers despite them not beating the best team in the AL?
How does this look in the future? Does every team with a player who tests positive for PEDs get eliminated from the playoffs entirely? That’s the slope, and there will be an infinite number of opinions. Can’t satisfy everybody. The Astros were punished… and given their response, probably not enough, but it was still significant.
discoguy
Buck Weaver was suspended from baseball for knowing teammates were cheating in the World Series. He faced a lifetime ban he fought until the day he died because Buck Weaver did not cheat in the 1919 World Series, Buck Weaver was suspended for simply knowing cheating was happening, a crime numerous Astros players were also guilty of, yet while MLB continues to uphold the suspension of Buck Weaver, numerous MLB players guilty of the exact same crime are getting away with their cheating while Buck Weaver is being held to a different standard. What about Joe Jackson? He was implicated as a cheater yet his stats showed otherwise. MLB cannot uphold different standards for the same crime. You either have to stop the absurd suspension of Buck Weaver and Joe Jackson and see them as you see the Astros or enforce lifetime bans on all Astros players involved in the cheating as the eight 1919 Chicago White Sox players suffered and is the established punishment. You can’t have it both ways. Either you punish all those who cheat or you cannot punish anyone. MLB needs to fix this all one way or another. Rob Manford should immediately resign as well, in the four seasons he has been commissioner, we know the Astros cheated in 2017, and there are questions about the 2018 Red Sox and 2019 Astros as well. You can’t have baseball run like this.
cc10cc
Thanks for mentioning this – I agree that it’s unfair that Buck Weaver and Joe Jackson are being held to a draconian standard and that the Astros players and owner are being let off the hook – Crane should be suspended.
pinkerton
Manfred seems like a tool.
I hope they all get plunked.
Bochys Retirement Fund
What a childish, ignorant response. I don’t agree with Manfred on many things, but for a bunch of kids assuming punishing each player makes at all sense is lunacy. How do you exercise the proper level of punishment per individual player? Is there direct data on how much Bergman received help through the sign system versus say, Kemp? And what do you do with the players if they’re on other teams? Suspension on them now effects innocent teams by losing an active player. There are so many nuances that it seems no one cares to evaluate.
Plus if you think taking a 95 mph heater is justice, you’re also an idiot.
pinkerton
It’s my opinion. If you don’t care for it, fine. Go contribute to Bochy’s retirement fund. I’m sure he needs the dough.
Truth is, cheaters aren’t wanted around here. You cheat, you get plunked. End of story.
Don’t go be a bleeding heart for them. Not now, not ever.
Basebal101
He’s not an idiot. Obviously you’ve never played the game. I did for 20+ years including AA ball. It’s baseball code that if you steal signs, you or a teammate is gonna get drilled. Every player learns that. It’s how the game Police’s itself. You should man up and apologize, but it’s the internet and moral’s don’t usually exist so I won’t hold my breath.
bigjonliljon
Funny how if a pitcher throws at an Astro he will get suspended for a longer time than any of the players that cheated the game and the code. Load of crap.
PhilsPhan
I was thinking the same thing! Some pitcher is going to get more of a punishment for throwing at an Astro than they got for cheating. It’s wild
BKS1110
It’s also “baseball code” that you listen to the veterans on the club. So how can you then blame the young players when Carlos Beltran and their own bench coach pressure them into cheating?
spinach
Because there are limits to things, like listen to a veteran but don’t listen to the veteran when he is asking you to do some of the most sinister things ever seen on a baseball field.
Like throw at a guy in retaliation but don’t throw a 100 mph pitch at his face every pitch the next ten times you face him.
Gunnarroxx72
“20+years including AA ball” ? …. Lol
Gunnarroxx72
“20+years including AA ball” ? …. Lol
heater
It’s total justice.
Mick1956
But, the kids wouldn’t plunk each other if the adults would be responsible and hold the kids that cheated responsible, instead of hypocritically talking about how they should be punished. Altuve clearly was wearing the buzzer when he hit the walk off homerun, hence his vehemence that they not tear his jersey.
Punish people that do wrong and the won’t feel like they have to take matters into their own hands. These guys ruined careers, stole money from other players, and shamelessly celebrated it while laughing because they weren’t getting caught.
Don’t cry for the cheaters – they earned whatever they get this year. If you let the mob decide the punishment because you don’t enforce the rules, this is what happens. MLB is failing everyone.
spareman7 2
I’m not sure how you know he had a buzzer just because he wouldn’t take his shirt off. It’s no possible you could know that unless you were in the dugout and saw it. Some of what you say is correct some players did get cheated because of what the Houston Astros did. Some young careers may have been spoiled because of the cheating. You spoil your whole thing by claiming you know that he had a buzzer on.
Mick1956
Spareman7 – If you watch him come around the bases he states he is “wearing it” as he pats his jersey chest. What else is he talking about? The evidence weighs much more in favor of him wearing it than a one—time need to preserve a jersey he doesn’t care about.
Put each piece of evidence together and it adds up to him wearing a device. That’s how I believe it. Why do you not? Please explain
cc10cc
Mick1956 – “But, the kids wouldn’t plunk each other if the adults would be responsible and hold the kids that cheated responsible, instead of hypocritically talking about how they should be punished.”
Agree – if Manfred would punish the wrong doers (players and owner), then the other players wouldn’t think that they’d have to take matters into their own hands.
Black Ace57
It was justice for over 95% of the history of the game. Also, if you think the pitchers actually throw it 95 when intentionally hitting batters you don’t know baseball.
spareman7 2
I do agree with you. Only idiots want stupid things done to the players. Believe me I think most of the players are just as guilty as coaches, managers, owners and anyone else associated with the team. They all had to know. The public will let them know how much they disrespect them as the season goes on I hope. But the one thing I’m sure of it’s just not the Astros and the Red Sox many other teams cheat to in all sports when you get to their level and you never will ever stop it.
shawn hemp
I don’t think taking a 95 mph is a punishment. I think when the bench’s clear the real punishments are getting handed out. Altuve and correra look like some fragile dudes. In fights they are gonna take their medicine
Confortoismyspiritanimal
They are all equally guilty. They all knew the cheating was happening and nobody stopped it. The ringleaders should get one penalty. All else involved should receive a lighter, but significant, penalty.
“Suspension on them now effects innocent teams by losing an active player.”
How is this different from a failed PED test?
Chubbies
I met him at the cubs ring ceremony. Nice guy but definitely gives off the dope vibe .
oldtimer
It might be just as effective if they just intentionally walked Altuve! Don’t even throw him a pitch! He gets on base either way and you don’t get suspended! He gets called out either way, one is more subtle than the other.
spinach
Stadium sound people will be playing buzzer noises for Altuve all across the country.
Adambr2
Manfred: We thought about stripping the Astros title but you can’t just deviate from precedence without good reason.
Also Manfred: Let’s enforce a 3 batter minimum, change the entire long standing roster limits both for the regular season and September, mandate how many pitchers can be carried, and overhaul the entire playoff system.
bob9988 2
He’s destroying the game of baseball. Its disgusting that the essence of the game is being changed so they can claim to be shortening games. I’ve hated Manfred for a while, but I thought it was just me. Seems everyone hates him too. They keep wondering why fan attendance keeps dropping, look in the mirror Rob!!
thunderroad19
I read it as “there is no precedent and I don’t want my name attached to the first one”.
What a piece of work.
bigdaddyt
Hi my names mark and Im in charge of a multi billion dollar business. We have had a big scandal how do I make things better? Oh I know let’s call the league championship “just a piece of metal”
bigdaddyt
*Rob not Mark woooops
MWeller77
Might as well be Mark or any other name…he’s just a highly-compensated lackey
sherlock_
Whether he likes it or not, they’re gonna retaliate. If you’re gonna eject for a HBP, we might as well have the SP from the previous day throw one pitch…
spareman7 2
I’m sure there will be plenty of retaliation there is precedent for that for sure. Is Manford going to take that precedent away from the game. Hummm
zauberman12
Sherlock – I think you’re right. Just a little uncomfortable with this HBP-all-the-time retaliation talk.
realgone2
Manfred is a bozo
sherlock_
I second that
braveshomer
Manfred was dealt an impossible hand much like Goodell of NFL…every talking Stooge out there has an opinion and no matter what he does it’s his fault Smh. They have to do these interviews and hand out these punishments to answer for the actions of other idiots….SOMEHOW we ALWAYS blame the guys that answer questions in the public as the wrong doers….pathetic for everyone
realgone2
Look at his track record since he’s been in charge. Laughable
bkbkbkbk
No way. Manfred called the trophy “a piece of metal.” Knew this was happening and waited till the public called out the cheating and yelled at a reporter for reporting on the biggest scandal of the generation.
Manfred is without question fourth place commish in the big four. Even Gary F’n Bettman talks about his game with more respect than this suit.
The long term problem is that all these commissioners are solely focused on revenue which is a terribly short term metric. Baseball, the sport I love, is selling out the long term for the short.
bencole
He’s a loser. Don’t change baseball and protect it’s integrity at all cost. No one cares about their money.
bigjonliljon
And keep in mind who the commissioner works for. The owners. He does what is best for the owners. In this case… try to get this scandal swept under the rug as quickly as possible in order for the dollars to continue flowing in. That’s the role of the commissioner
bencole
Yeah bigjon, you’re right, that’s my issue. That garbage needs to go away. I don’t care about the owners’ money.
Cam
This is absolutely spot on. Manfred isn’t going to tick off the people who employ him.
Mick1956
I think his consistency is why he’s blamed, not individual decisions, per se. He consistently makes bad decisions and contradictory statements. He is out of touch with baseball while trying to encourage the younger demographic to watch baseball. Many other reasons I don’t have time for, but you get my point.
takeitback
I wonder if Bellinger will feel Betts stole an MVP award and that him and Price stole the WS from them?
ffrhb14Sox
Why?
ffrhb14Sox
Why?
bleacherbum
That is going to messy/awkward if that comes out too. Yikes
trace
Stole what? did you even watch the games? I swear the excuses were Roberts gave it away even though the Dodgers were losing 95% of the innings played in that series.
GMaddux31
Did you watch the series? Until Game 7, the Dodgers led more innings in the first 6 games (19 to 17 with the remaining innings a tie score). Astros led all 9 innings of Game 7. It was a 4 games to 3 series win with many close wins. Cheating certainly influenced their victory.
fox471 Dave
Missed the Series did we trace?
fox471 Dave
Maybe.
HarveyD82
this is all one big clusterf*ck group of people. can’t wait to see these guys get plunked. manfred is a joke, just like selig.
DockEllisDee
I think Selig would’ve dealt with this in a more pragmatic and punitive manner tbh
ziggydoc
Yeah…like he did with steroids????
Polish Hammer
Bugg Selig couldn’t make a command decision to save his life. He’d float something out there and gauge the public opinion and then rule accordingly, but would never get out in front of anything.
WarrenSpahn
Bud Selig spent his entire tenure as Commissioner acting like the used car dealer that he was…
shawn hemp
Manfred didn’t wanna do anything now it’s up to the players to dole out the punishments.
tigerdoc616
No, it is not. You don’t have the right to go beat up some crook just because you think the judge went light on his sentence. Nor do the players have the right to enact justice by throwing at the Astros hitters. That is vigilante justice, it has no place in civilized society or baseball.
Players best way to get revenge is by beating them on the field.
shawn hemp
By beating them on the field u mean punching in the face after u bean them right?
RobBoSoxNMariners
Uhh nah man. Vigilante justice has it appropriate place
Mick1956
There has been “vigilante justice” forever in baseball. Hitting a homerun hitter because he crushed a ball, hitting their prized player because they hit yours, and nailing the Astros for literally taking money away from players and adversely affecting players’ living by hitting wall off homers when you knew the pitch was coming.
I don’t advocate for doing it but they knew what would happen if they were discovered. Lie, cheat and steal and expect people to take the higher road for no reason at all? You’re living with your head in the sand.
HarveyD82
I wanna see these guys plunked in the head. knock em down. I’d pay to see that. bop one right on little altuves noggin
Captain Dunsel
I concur within reason. Any pitcher who hits a batter above the shoulders should be ejected, fined, and suspended. From the shoulders down is baseball’s true leveler and traditional justice.
shawn hemp
And then if they charge u serve em a two piece. Bench’s clear and then it’s on
StecherW
Below the shoulders should be open season…the Astros should hate this season and next because they will be wearing so many bruises.
amk3510
**Googles how to fire a commissioner
Rangers29
Here are your results:
1. Start a new league called the rmb (rob manfred baseball), and let him own a 5 team personal league with all his friends.
bob9988 2
Yeah, let’s punish the rest of the league some more and protect the Asterik’s players even more. Now you can cheat and if another team makes you pay for it, they’ll be punished more than you. What other way is there to interpret what happened with the Asterik’s but to tell every other team, it’s ok to cheat to win a World Series cause nothing is going to happen to you but maybe a slap on the wrist. We’ll even protect you from retaliation!
fidrych76
Exactly right. I feel sorry for the first pitcher who accidentally plunks an Astro. It’s going to happen, the pitcher will be innocent but he will be tossed by a plate umpire on a mission to protect the Astros from being unfairly (?) victimized…
thunderroad19
I don’t know. I have a feeling the Astros aren’t too popular with the umpires either.
Priggs89
That’s going to be an even worse look for the league. I can all but guarantee the opposing team’s manager will get booted for going out to protect his pitcher, and everyone involved will have quite a bit to say about it postgame. This isn’t going away anytime soon.
jaysfansince1977
Pretty sure Manfred and the Asteiks have the same PR Agent!! What a pile of Steaming.……………….!
mistry gm
Heres an idea. Everyone stay home until Manfred leaves. No attendance at all until Manfred leaves. Stick to it!
bencole
I can’t like this enough
RobBoSoxNMariners
Gotta also buy no merchandise and don’t buy the tv package
Mick1956
Be careful – if all the baseball fans stay home we may return to soccer or mi or league NBA with the way Manfred’s going. I wonder when he will consult MTV for how to improve baseball?
HalElliott
It will be interesting when a player gets ejected for hitting an Astro and is suspended for one incident, however for cheating for 2+ years, nothing. This is not going away.
Flapjax55
At first I thought, ah…all the teams do it (use video) to some extent to gain an advantage, but after seeing and hearing the Astros lame excuses and the revelations of Altuve’s buzzer-aided walkoff, I’ve changed positions. I had no idea the extent to which this went. I’m a Red Sox fan fearing the worst but hoping for the best, and what that means is that they didn’t indulge to nearly the extent Houston did.
pasha2k
I understand why Manfred hadta do with the immunity. I get it, but seeing that, Astros, like Bregman n Altuve, need to own it, n take the fallout not hiding behind their Lawyers. As far as AJ. Goes, he’s lying. He enjoyed the cheating as much, if not more than the players. As far as breaking the monitors, it could’ve been for a number of reasons. I adore Cora, but he made bad decisions n is paying for them. The cheating starts n stops with AJ, the leader of the inmates in the asylum.
mistry gm
The immunity is WRONG.
bigjonliljon
Giving the players immunity in order for them to cooperate. The police do this all the time. But they don’t give immunity to every one. Only to the people who speak up. Those that don’t get punished. Therefore I don’t buy this argument by Manfred. He’s giving every one immunity and I don’t every one cooperated
McGurk
The police give it to one or two guys that can be key witnesses, not the whole crime family!
SeeGilley
Who’s A.J. Goes? Never heard of him.
stubby66
I think that what Manfred did for punishment is enough and this is a enough. If you change the record books you have to go back and change all the mistakes especially Gallarga no hitter then he can sue the umpire for ruining his career because he never was the same. Fix the issue and let’s move on
mistry gm
Hay Stubby. Go watch Hocky.
politicsNbaseball
Never the same? He was never good.
bencole
No. One was cheating, the other was an umpire’s mistake. One has integrity even if it was the wrong call.
ziggydoc
What happens if someone accidentally hits a player?? Do the get immunity??
ziggydoc
Or an asterisk???
bluejays92
They only have immunity if they’ve used the hidden idol before tribal council, I think.
Rangers29
Well, he also said the trophy was “just a piece of metal” (parahrasing), so that’s not putting you or your sport in a good light.
CursedRangers
Yeah that was a crazy comment. Little league teams are also dropping Astros as a team name. This will have a massive impact on Houston, and rightfully so, for a long time to come.
Marius
Manfred should be fired for letting this happen. Teams were reporting the Astros for years and he didn’t do squat about it.
miklosselkirk
You can practically hear him admitting he would have preferred to do nothing at all.
miklosselkirk
You can practically hear him admitting he would have preferred to do nothing at all.
miklosselkirk
You can practically hear him admitting he would have preferred to do nothing at all.
Vizionaire
gutless manfrog!
Psychguy
At this point, let the players mete out their own brand of justice, Manfred be damned.
Doug Dueck
Manfred is a joke on a good day. He is consistently proving that to anyone that listens to him. Baseball will suffer for a long time because of his gutless decisions. He makes me want to spend time and money on other things than anything related to baseball. Loser
everlastingdave
Absolutely absurd that the players got immunity because they were willing to tell the truth about the bad stuff they know they did. Amazing that “Well, maybe they didn’t understand the severity of the offense” was considered pertinent by both sides. This is all garbage and they can fold the Astros for all I care. But equally ridiculous is vacating the 2017 title. Are the Dodgers supposed to have a parade where everyone remembers how they felt 2 1/2 years ago, or does nobody win? That helps nobody.
McGurk
Dodgers didn’t win the Title either, but the Astriks sure as hell didn’t.. I have no problem with a blurb stating “as a result of cheating by the Houston Astros, the 2017 title is vacant..”
Let the history books forever state that those cheaters damaged baseball to the point where they ruined an entire season.
Doyersrock
Did Pete Rose get immunity offer? Ma Fred is a joke
Cam
Pete Rose was offered a lifetime ban in exchange for stopping the investigation into him. If Pete Rose thought a lifetime ban was better than people finding out what he did, imagine what he did.
Ashleyr
The past is the past and it can’t be changed, regardless how many people get angry about it. There is NO way to replay the world series in 2017 or 18, just like the world series wasn’t replayed in 1919 with the Chicago Black Sox. Cincy won the trophy, even through the Sox players threw it on purpose.. Things happened, punishments were handed out and now it is time for fans and players to accept reality and move forward. If pitchers throw at the players of both Houston and boston intentionally, the Astros and Red Sox can retaliate against the best players on those teams. Trout, Betts, Bellinger, Yelich, injuring them, breaking bones, or even more serious injuries that end their seasons. Is that what the fans demand. An eye for an eye, when it is THEIR favorite player being retaliated against, which is why rules exist about blatantly throwing at batters. Example: Garret Cole deliberately throws at Altuve, Cole is ejected immediately. If he does it twice, he is suspended the rest of the year, fined heavily, and what good did it do?
McGurk
Sure trash fan. When a crook steals you money are you also okay with not getting it back?
delete
@Ashleyr Your point is so irrelevant that it is absurd. No one would advocate to take a world title from a team that didn’t steal it. The Black Sox should have been banned from baseball. Oh wait, they were! What was the penalty for the Astros players again?
fox471 Dave
No need to replay the 2017 WS my challenged friend. Vacate the title. No winner in 2017.
fox471 Dave
Actually, the whole team was not banned!
California Halo's
Some of the players of the Chicago White soxs intentionally under performed and threw the World Series and the entire team was banned for life. Houston cheated threw out the season and threw out the playoffs to win the world series. How many games during the season did there cheating help them win? We will never know that number. Every man should be banned for life period. They should have to forfeit the title. Doing anything less will damage the sport for years to come.
terry g
First off the entire White Sox team was not banned for life. Get your baseball history straight.
Russianblue35
Im suffering from Astros burn out. As much as I enjoy watching them self destruct on a daily basis, im ready for some baseball
vincent k. mcmahon
Hmm I hear there’s a petition going around to get manfred out of the commissioners office.
hiflew
Hmm, I hear petitions are meaningless in the grand scheme of things and usually serve no purpose at all.
terry g
They make the signers feel like they are doing something. There’s that.
Knuckleball Lady
There is. It’s on change.org
Here is the link
change.org/p/mlb-replace-rob-manfred-as-mlb-commis…
tigerdoc616
Don’t like the punishment handed out by Manfred? Well, too bad! NOT your job to decide the punishment here. It was and is his. And he used logic and reason to make these decisions, not hatred and anger like fans are doing. Giving immunity to the players to get the full story was the right thing to do. Done all the time in the criminal justice system. Plus, he is right, the MLBPA would have fought that tooth and nail and likely would not have stuck. And taking a title away would have been unprecedented.
Don’t have to like it, but you do have to either accept it or stop watching baseball. You, I, and especially the players are not the ones who get to decide these things. We do not have the right to exact our own form of justice just because we don’t like the level of punishment doled out.
McGurk
I think that is what manfred actually meant. He is stating that he did what he could, and the rest is up to public opinion (IE fans making the players feel it).
realgone2
It must be hard to type while also trying to blow manfred.
“We do not have the right to exact our own form of justice just because we don’t like the level of punishment doled out.”
This is the second most stupid thing I’ve read on here today. No one is talking about lynching the players, you idiot.
bencole
We have the right to complain, kick and scream at baseball, and speak with our dollars, to let them know how we feel about it. Beyond that, there’s almost nothing remotely intelligent about your post Tigerdoc. Manfred needed to get all the info without compromising the league’s position, and he’s responsible personally for letting this happen on his watch. And for not releasing all of the info against the league’s best interest. And for valuing the league’s money and marketing above it’s integrity. Those are the only things that don’t matter at all here. Let the MLBPA fight it and let MLB waste its negotiating position arguing this. Perfect. Manfred needs to get out of my sport now.
cc10cc
Yes we do – without fans, these players don’t make the big bucks – but there aren’t enough of us who care enough about the integrity of the game.
Cam
The justice system provides immunity to a limited amount of people, in order to get incriminating information to charge others.
Manfred gave immunity to everyone, in order to be able to charge no one.
Clear difference.
shawn hemp
Tigerdoc is manfred burner account
sss847
“hitting a guy with a baseball is worse than cheating for 3 straight years” – manfred
hiflew
But for some reason people were okay with them tanking for 3 straight years to collect high draft picks.
delete
It is not against the rules to fail to spend. The Astros players never tried to throw games while the team was tanking. Your point is ridiculously irrelevant.
hiflew
It should be.
You have proof of that.
Irrelevance is in the eye of the beholder.
AtlSoxFan
Owners like Manfred because he’s put money in their pockets.
Bamtech, tv deals, the excuse of the cbt to stop overall wage share increases… now the promises of betting… bottom line, money gets the owners attention, and keeps Manfred his job.
Now, can this cluster Manfred created out of the cheating fallout be turned around to excise the cancer in the comissioners office? Doubt it.
Does make for entertaining drama. These aren’t 5 year olds, they knew what they were doing was wrong and went waaay beyond the time known and true versions of sign stealing.
heater
Manfred deserves a fastball in the ribs just like the players. Total joke.
bencole
*head
No Soup For Yu!
Equating winning the World Series to “a piece of metal” may be the most tone deaf and ignorant thing I’ve heard from anyone on this subject, even after accounting for all the crap that’s come out of the mouths of Astros’ fans, players and executives. If you still needed any proof that Manfred doesn’t truly care about the sport or its integrity, there it is.
hiflew
I know this is not going to be popular around here, but I’m used to it.
I have far more outrage with the tanking for 3+ years in order to get high draft picks to build a WS team than I do for sign stealing. Sure they may have used new technology, but sign stealing has been going on in the game ever since signs have been used. It’s not new. And if your argument is that stealing signs is okay as long as the technology isn’t used, just think about that for a second and get back to me.
The integrity of the game is hurt far more by people not trying hard to win than by any type of sign stealing.
Renotribefan
Sorry, I have to vehemently disagree with your position here.
It’s like in Vegas. If you count cards using only your brain and skill, that is completely legal. The casinos can boot you out and ban you (like getting a fastball to the ribs), but you’re not arrested (i.e. suspended).
Now, have an electronic device on you to count the cards and you’re in major legal trouble.
Sure, sign stealing has been going on forever. However, stealing signs “legitimately” is based on skill versus being technologically aided. If you weren’t able to steal signs legitimately, then the catcher may as well just yell to the pitcher what pitch to throw. Then, if the batter uses that to his advantage, he gets suspended for sign stealing.
CursedRangers
It’s the tanking. It’s the cheating. It’s the trading for a player who abused a woman. It’s not signing a draft pick so they can get compensated the next year. It’s the racial comments hurled towards Darvish. It’s the downgrading of a woman reporter. It’s the mocking of players who said the Astros were doing something shady. It’s how they’ve claimed analytics was the driving force to being better. It’s the crazy shifts. It’s the owners comments. It’s the pathetic apologies. It’s the Houston fans overly defending their teams actions. It’s that the team is acting like this isn’t a big deal. It’s the lack of punishment. It’s a lot of things that are all just horribly wrong about this organization.
Taximan
Bet they are glad they don’t have to face the Dodgers this season
nrd1138
So, according to MLB, players were not aware that cheating to gain a competitive advantage would be a serious issue?!
I mean what kind of bizarro world do we live in now?
bencole
Manfred is the biggest loser in the history of baseball
Darkside
where is Kenesaw Mountain Landis when you need him.
After a hundred years, the ghosts of the Black sox scandal can finally rest as they pass the baton to the Houston Asterisks
mustang
Lets set the Astro on fire!!!!
Lol
Manfred did the best he could in the situation he was given.
Anyone who has been management would understand the complexities of dealing with a strong labor union.
empirejim
The best he could? If you know you face a strong union then you make certain that ALL the players are informed of rule changes. He dropped the ball, period.
MoRivera 1999
There’s every indication that most of the players in that union would vote to have Astros players suspended. So how did Manfred deal appropriately with that union? He’s hiding behind it. He’s an ignorant, mendacious coward.
prov356
Oh good. Another article. Let the hand wringing begin.
Doral Silverthorn
If this is the end of discussion about Astros, Pete Rose better be in the Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
Otherwise, these guys cheated, got caught, and deserve all the backlash they get and should be stripped of the WS title. Not saying give it to the Dodgers, but strip the Astros.
Otherwise, Manfred needs to STFU about no retaliation.
Cam
Pete Rose accepted his punishment though. It was part of the deal.
Doral Silverthorn
Rose was still trying to keep his job.
If all he needed to do was acknowledge and send an empty apology, I’m sure he would have done that. Giamatti had a vendetta and got him banned for life.
Cam
No, Pete Rose literally accepted a life ban to stop the investigation from going any further. He had two choices – accept the ban, and the investigation stops without anything being formally filed against him, or let the investigation continue. He chose the ban.
It has nothing to do with meaningless apologies or anything of the sorts. He simply took the ban so that MLB wouldn’t dig any deeper.
Unless you’re asserting that Pete Rose was framed, then I don’t even know what you’re argument is.
goat
Since this spineless coward refused to punish the players who cheated. The other 700 or so players who got cheated are going to exact revenge by hitting them, spiking them and doing whatever they can get away with.. I cant wait to see them get hit.
AndyMeyer
Then don’t watch baseball
canyon2129
The 2017 title must be vacated immediately. Their mockery of the game is simply not sustainable. Teetering now, the game will crumble.
afsooner02
Still a massive failure not stripping Houston of the WS title.
sufferforsnakes
What a spineless, gutless weenie he is.
Emilia
I have seen and heard on multiple outlets, that a player’s strike is almost a definite in a couple of years. One of the reasons is going to be to get rid of Manfred. This was being talked about even before all this took place.
justme
What a wuss what kind of leader is afraid to lead..to say u are afraid to suppend players who have wronged in fear they file a grievance show how insecure he really is and why these cheating scandals like this and others continue to happen the players aren’t worried about the conquences because they know it will be meaningless compared to how much the gain…they clearly have no respect for him he should be removed
jimmertee
I think there will be lots of booing this year in Astros games. Do you this the fans will bang their seats where Astro’s players are at the plate?
Hudgens needs to be out of baseball too.
empirejim
So, in a nutshell, no punishment for the Asstros players because of Manfred’s ineptitude and lack of sack…. got it.
Rallyshirt
“A piece of metal” said by the man who cares only about money.
justme
Right the games highest reward what every team strives to get every year is just a piece of metal now he is disrespecting what playing the game is for unreal
Braydon Gervais
I never thought I would miss Bug Selig but here we are.
I wish he’d step down.
jkurk_22
I don’t want anyone seriously hurt, but I hope pitchers hit them anyways. I sure would. They asked for it
jkurk_22
Wish we could get rid of Manfred
Strike Four
MANFRED OUT MANFRED OUT MANFRED OUT
WE WANT MANFRED OUT
M’s is for maybe
Are the Asterisks hated more than the Spankees now? Asking for a friend…..
Manfred needs to take the championship away, period. It’s the only fair punishment. He could do it, and hold the integrity of the championship. Otherwise I don’t blame the next generation for saying NEXT and moving on from what was the great American pastime, I too am a precedent guy, but have the balls to understand the responsibility. Otherwise let everyone cheat, do roids F it.
Make it like hockey, 5 minutes for bean balls. Who cares-not the same game it was anyway.
buddaley
What strikes me is that with all the talk about punishing players, there seems less concern about punishing the owner.
As I understand, the reasoning behind punishing the GM and manager, aside from the deal with the players and the difficulty of negotiating proper punishments with the union, is that they set the overall tone of the organization and that they were responsible for those in their charge.
If that is so, how does Crane escape more than a slap on the wrist, and if I remember is even exonerated in the initial comments by Manfred when he suspended Hinch and Luhnow. It seems to me the organization had embraced a toxic culture well before the investigation-think about the sliming of the female journalist-with Crane’s fingerprints all over it.
And his performance since the scandal broke only emphasizes his nastiness. What alternatives does Manfred have to make him responsible and mete out punishment? Other owners have been suspended. Others have been forced to sell, I think, although usually much to their profit.
BlueSkies_LA
Crane is skating because he’s a member of the owner’s club and they protect their own and then hide behind the skirts of the commissioner and let him take the blame for their lack of meaningful action. Sadly most fans fall for it. Crane could have should have been forced to sell the team to someone who would take responsibly for what goes on in their organization. That’s how you tell fans, players, coaches, managers, and the other owners, that cheating won’t be tolerated. Instead all they did is raise the price for it slightly. Nobody is even talking about kicking Crane out of the game. That’s how the owner’s club works.
Cam
110% spot on.
kiddhoff
Those hoping for retaliation in the form of throwing at Astros hitters are no better than the astros. Its classless. And I dont want to hear anything from Dodgers and Yankees fans. How dare the Astros steal the title from those teams who paid for it!
yankeesnycrd
I guess In your world “buying” a championship is worse than cheating? Give me a break…
kiddhoff
Same as
MoRivera 1999
The Astros cheated for and bought their title by tanking for 3 years.
VinScullysSon
You do know the Astros are spending more than the Dodgers right? So gtfo with your stupid “buying” logic.
kiddhoff
Stupid huh? Which 2 teams spent the most in 2017? When the Dodgers and Yankees are spending that much money, and basically using the rest of MLB as their minor league system, I could understand why the Astros migh want to cheat. I dont agree with it. But I can see why
rawbar
You lack any ability to reason, given your position that spending more is equivalent to cheating.
The greater spending is within the rules and teams are taxed for exceeding the CBT thresholds. That is, they get penalized.
Please demonstrate that you’re not this obtuse.
MoRivera 1999
The Astros tanked for 3 years. That’s how they bought their team. Frankly I’d rather have a team that tries to compete every year and pays players what they’re worth.
Col. Taylor
*
CarolinaRays
So no punishment for the cheating players because of the inevitable grievances would be too much to navigate, yet yes to punishment for throwing at batters “intentionally”? What about the grievances that’ll inevitably come from those punishments? Like, how are they going to prove that a hbp was intentional in a legal setting with actual lawyers involved? What a damn mess. I know all commissioners take heat because of the nature of the position but Manfred really is the worst. He might just be talking smoke to discourage intentional beanings but this is going to come back to bite him in the ass because the Astros are 100% getting thrown at this year and he’s going to have to deal with the fallout from his words. What a clown.
gussie busch
Really curious what Chris Correa would have to add to this. He never spoke of what he found.
sergefunction
Manfred is not the Mann.
mike156
Poor leadership starting at the very top. If there was an anti-cheating memo sent to front offices, why wasn’t Manfred more explicit about it…Commissioner to Owner. And if the was advanced warning to Manfred about Houston cheating, then it was incumbent on Manfred to insist that Crane get on top of the situation. If you can’t really penalize the players who cheated, then the least you can do is not trash the players who complained about it. And, as for enhanced penalties for plunking someone, I’m not a mindreader and neither is Manfred, and, the unintended consequence of Manfred’s warning is to let Houston players know he has their backs. There’s got to be something wrong with that. Manfred’s giving a corporate response to a situation that demands something based more in right and wrong. By playing it this way, he’s actually making the situation worse.
giants number 1 fan
If you think a team is stealing your signs, call for a change up outside, then buzz him with a heater under his chin. If he walks into it, you were right, and they won’t do it again.
phillyballers
Strip them of their title… do it like the NCAA… “it never happened” except sign stealing and gamesmanship has been part of the game since it started. You fine them and take away draft comp or hell maybe you squeeze them on the luxury tax line. But they won. Still have to hit the ball and make bats miss the ball. Dodgers can seriously go pound sand they’ve been trying to buy a WS for years. Only worked 1x for the Yankees. Dodgers should play better next time.
McGurk
What are you talking about the Dodgers of last 3 Season have mostly been home grown players or players that they salvaged from the trash heap and made into BLers.
MoRivera 1999
Astros bought their title by tanking for 3 years. I’d rather have a team that pays players what they’re worth and tries to contend every year.
neals
Here’s a message for Manfred. RESIGN!
cawa
Dusty Baker and the Astros hitters are scared to get hit by pitch so don’t cry about now.
zauberman12
Astros trot out a 70-year-old who can’t let it go and retire so they can hide behind Dusty’s “reputation,” such as it is. I only feel sorry for the new guys on the team trying to get a roster spot. Sorry, toothpicks ain’t covering this all up.
zauberman12
Astros trot out a 70-year-old who can’t let it go and retire so they can hide behind Dusty’s “reputation,” such as it is. I only feel sorry for the new guys on the team trying to get a roster spot. Sorry, toothpicks ain’t covering this all up.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
2015- Kansas City Royals
2016- Chicago Cubs
2017- Houston Astros*
*Caught cheating.
Just make the asterisk official.
Can’t punish the players? Can’t change history? Fine. Make the asterisk official.
Any effort to try to pretend that that title is legitimate makes baseball illegitimate and Manfred becomes an accomplice.
MoRivera 1999
Ditto for Altuve’s MVP. It should definitely go to Judge, but if you can’t do that, then use the asterisk on Altuve’s award.
asuchrisc
Someone mentioned betting earlier in the comments and I wonder what it would mean if they vacated the title (i.e. he is pandering to the sports books, daily fantasy, etc.). Surely there would be major financial impact that MLB would not want to get involved with or deal w additional lawsuits they would lose. Also by not suspending players he very publicly said that the Union is more powerful than MLB itself… which I am sure will come back to bite MLB and the owners. It would be cool if MLBPA took a vote and kicked out the involved players from the union. I think that would settle this one way or another and also impact the players financially now and later.
Ezpkns34
Lacks brains, balls or both
dshires4
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”
Take notes, Manfred.
lowtalker1
End of the day
Cheating or not
I am happy LA lost in 17/18
Now, I’m waiting to see what happens to the Red Sox
jorge78
This isn’t the stupid NCAA trying to erase and redo the past! And which was was it: EVERYONE knew what the Astros were doing and changed their signs or NOT!!!??? And what about the allegations and investigations into the Red Sox and Yankees cheating!!!???
What’s done is done. Society has so many more problems to deal with like the planet Earth burning before our eyes because shareholders need their money and grocery customers NOT honoring the
“15 items or less” checkout line because the “grab them by the p—sy” clown in the Casa Blanca has taught his followers it’s ok to be a buttwipe. It’s all rearranging deck chairs on the USS Titanic. At least when the planet blows up I can say I told you so!
McGurk
Uh… this is a Baseball board… please take your whitewashing somewhere else.
rawbar
Jorge is off his meds.
tammelinb
Take your political garbage and post it elsewhere. This is a thread about sports, not politics. Nobody cares what your political feelings are.
Cam
Well, since Manfred like precedent so much, he better be prepared for teams to ignore his warnings about throwing at Astros hitters. I mean, he warned teams not to steal signs, and the Astros did it anyway. What’s he gonna do? Not punish anyone again? Oh so scary.
jorge78
Any pitcher who threatens a batters life or career by throwing at them intentionally should be suspended for the rest of the year, if not for life.
They could put an eye out!
McGurk
What about Astrik players who threatened or ended pitchers careers by cheating? Should they be banned for life?
jorge78
And all these holier than thou pitchers make me chuckle.
Like they never snuck some pine tar or G. Perry sauce on their hat or into their glove?
The never used a nail file or tacks like certain HOF Yankee pitchers? (Whitey Ford).
MoRivera 1999
You’re probably talking about 1% of pitchers, like Verlander and a couple of others maybe. You have no idea. So your argument is DOA.
tammelinb
Manfred needs to resign immediately. He is spineless and is afraid to confront the players union. Players cheated and are getting away with it. Is investigating them and giving fair punishments easy? No. But it’s the right thing to do. Yes, he punished the Astros. Technically. But what have we learned? If your a player, cheat. Get caught and use the union to fight for you. Manfred will look the other way. And for the owners, the cost to get a ring is $5million and 4 draft picks. Every owner in the league would pay that. A WS team probably makes more than $5million in revenue anyways.
The fans, in mass, need to boycott games, watching on tv, and buying apparel until Manfred resigns. The only way he gets forced out is hurting their bank accounts.
BlueSkies_LA
Manfred works for the owners. That’s where he gets his marching orders. I wonder why so many fans don’t get that.
MoRivera 1999
Fans do get that. They don’t accept it as an excuse for not protecting the game.
BlueSkies_LA
I see right here plenty of beating up on Manfred without coming to terms with the fact that the commissioner is the owners’ mouthpiece. That’s his total job description. The definition of protecting the game is based entirely on the interests of the owners. We’ve got 29 owners who’ve said nothing about this scandal, and only one who did, and it was lame. So I don’t hear a lot of getting it. In fact every time I hear someone say “fire Manfred” I hear another case of not getting it.
jd396
What’s missing in a lot of the analyses… the players talked candidly about what they did *because* they were granted immunity and wouldn’t be incriminating themselves… without being granted immunity the players involved almost certainly would have just told investigators to pound sand.
I don’t like Manfred any more than anyone else around here but on that count he’s absolutely right.
McGurk
you don’t need 25 confessions to prove a case. He could have easily offered immunity to Hinch or Lunhow or other front office employees. Immunity is to punish the ringleaders not to grant immunity to the whole crime syndicate.
differentbears
Manfred just Slippery Sloped the idea of stripping the title, and that’s utter garbage. Where does it end if you take away their title? There. It ends there. It sets the precedent, it doesn’t muddy one.
It’s quite simple: if a team uses electronics to steal signs, they don’t prosper. They get hammered for it. Manfred is just passing the buck here, using a tired argument of “where does it stop?” when he is the arbiter of exactly the answer he seeks.
The issue is the Astros. It starts and stops there. The Astros cheated, the Astros were rewarded, take it away from them.
If it comes out that Boston cheated in 2018, take it away from them with that precedent. These are current teams, and Manfred is the end of the line for authority figures in governing baseball. For him to throw his hands up and act like he can’t do something is absurd. The precedent starts with 2017, it might seem arbitrary but this was a year in Manfred’s tenure, and this was when a memo went out to all teams about electronic devices and stealing. That was the time a precedent was set. It’s not a slippery slope to then punish any teams that cheated going forward from that memo.
angels24
There should be an anti-ring ceremony broadcast on national tv where all the 2017 astros have to walk across a stage, put their rings in a box and then incinerate the rings along with the trophy. That would be must-watch tv and sufficient punishment/ embarrassment for the players
jessanders
How on EARTH do you justify that the players didn’t know they were cheating? Who doesn’t think that’s cheating?
As for the punishment… I mean, steroids gets you suspended… why doesn’t CHEATING IN ANOTHER WAY also get you suspended? I think the league got it right with the Black Sox, run ’em out of baseball. But I’d settle for an 80 game suspension from every single person implicated.
“But we had to give them immunity to properly investigate.” No. The video evidence was clear. They were caught. You try to find someone who didn’t actively participate to give the info, or you tell them “We’ll be suspending everyone involved. If you were involved admit it now for an 80 game suspension, or if we find out you lied it will be a full season.” It’s not that hard.
Proudveteran
First of all, I think the reason for immunity was MLB way of making sure that players didn’t get suspended. I agree the video was clear and that immunity was not needed. At this point, the only thing that I can say is that when these players are up for selection in the HOF they sure wouldn’t get my vote {If I was a voter}
Javia
I am praying that my team cheats this year! The punishment is a joke and we have never had a World Series title! Let’s get this done.
jmac2121
Convenient timing to increase discipline against pitchers throwing at players. I’m sorry but it’s gonna happen and it deserves to happen. Fans aren’t dumb, Manfred screwed up the investigation, the penalties against Houston were not harsh enough and now they face the humiliation and likely thrown at because no one feels like justice has been served. Manfred probably wants this story to go away more then Houston does, but it won’t and shouldn’t for a very long time
crazylarry
Manfred is absolutely clueless. The game is dying and he stands by and watches.
BlueSkies_LA
Don’t be confused, Manfred works for the owners. What you see from him is what they want you to see from him. Nothing more, nothing less. Have you noticed how many comments we’ve heard about this from the other 29 owners? Would that be approximately zero? Do you ever wonder why?
66TheNumberOfTheBest
How is it in the other 29 owners interest to sit by and watch MLB become WWE?
BlueSkies_LA
A good question. The only explanation I can come up with is to refer back to the PEDs scandal. Why did it take them so long to see the damage chemical cheating was doing to the game? They are trying to wish this one away too. So, how’s that working out?
axisofhonor25
Issuing memorandum on hit by pitches eh? Because you just described how well the communication worked with the word never coming from the GM down. What makes you think the players won’t file grievances citing that they never go that memo and how is it any different from the Astro players “not get omg the memo.” There is totally going to be throwing at Houston players this year.
axisofhonor25
*getting the memo, not omg
stan lee the manly
I see we are playing fast and loose with the word “addresses” tonight…
DodgerDan
Fire Manfred! guy should have nothing to do with the game of baseball. All he has done has changed the way the game is played and allowed cheaters to get away with murder..
BlueSkies_LA
Manfred should be fired for doing the bidding of the owners?
MoRivera 1999
Yes it’s time to change the role of the commissioner so he protects the game itself.
BlueSkies_LA
The commissioner’s role has always been protecting “the best interests of the game,” but from the start that term has always been hidden in plain sight code for “the best interests of the owners.” Since the owners have alway hired the commissioner, how do you see the job definition being changed? Are the fans going to start electing him, like in All-Star voting?
bigwestbaseball
Manfred is a pathetically poor commissioner. Such a weak homer, with no balls to make a strong historical decision. But, the owners love a puppet.
Sid Bream
Manfred is like the person that says they’re going to call you back, they could have done so, but they didn’t..
Manfred is a would’ve could’ve type person instead of being a man of taking action and doing something, which is what he should have done in respect of this tawdry matter.
Zerbs63
Pitchers should be granted immunity after they hit a few Astros…
Proudveteran
The Astro batters are going to be hit, no question about that. As for me, as long as no serious injury takes place so be it. Also, there are going to be many, many brushback pitches. I think in all that the Astro hitters are going to be rattled each at-bat.
The Astros are still favorites to win their division, not so fast! I can see that because the batters are going to be thrown at and they are going to be on their toes each at-bat this will result in more team losses than expected.
Here is something that I have had issues in the past concerning umpires. They make the decision as to whether a pitcher is throwing intentionally. Sometimes this can be justified because of the change of arm movement. However, I have watched ejections occur with no clear evidence, it was { I Guess } based on the situation such as the last half of the inning one of their players were hit. Ok, I can see that. I will guarantee that there are going to be too many unnecessary ejections this year. The umpires need to be patient as well.
great_gumbino
Manfred and the mlb are weak just like Bellinger said. Weak punishments and weak rulings.
Zerbs63
The sad part is MLB didn’t really find out much more information in their “investigation” than we already knew. Yet they still gave them immunity. Because of this players will take things into their own hands and police it themselves.
The All-Star game in LA is going to be awesome, whichever poor Astro makes the team is going to get hit. If he charges the mound no one on the AL all-star team would even come help him.
bigmike0424
We all should get it that Rob Manfred works for the owners, get paid by the owners, with that being said what he said makes it seems like it the owners who are telling him what to say..
Manfred said that “in a perfect world it would have happened. We ended up where we ended up in pursuit of really, I think, the most important goal of getting the facts and getting them out there for people to know it.”
Which I take is as the other 29 Owners not Boston & Houston think that about the players getting fined & suspend but are too afraid to admit it as fear of backlash against mlb union..
Rsox
The problem is if you tell the players up front talk and you’ll be suspended you won’t find out anything. Let the players talk and suspend them after and the union gets involved and as Manfred said there will be grievances and the league will lose. It really is a catch 22 situation.
Manfred is by an large an idiot but this was lose/lose from the beginning no matter how you handle it.
dave frost nhlpa
I think the fine and loss of picks is enough.
Also they won’t get into the HOF. They will never catch a break.
I’m laughing if they contacted bookies and laid out bets on their games. LOL.
Gunnarroxx72
So are you saying JV won’t make it into the HOF because of this? You are nuts and are probably the lone guy that didn’t vote Jeter in this year.
Steve_SD
If I were a voter, no one on the 2017 Astros would get a HOF vote from me. But McGwire, Clemens, and Bonds would.
User 355748524
As a former Astros fan, the most disappointing part for me wasn’t the cheating. It was the lack of responsibility, the fact that the team would neither sink or swim with the issue. All their actions were and still remain as them figuratively telling their fans that it was none of their business if they cheated or not, that they didn’t care that their own fans were supporting them. That hurt. A lot.
This, combined with the decaying politics of the league are my tipping point. I’ve been a fan for 8 years, only getting into it because of my father (Orioles fan since the 70’s. 2012 he got me into it.) and then eventually becoming obsessed with the sport. It’s too bad 7 of those years of emotion and support as an Astros fan were for nothing.
Fuck the Houston Astros and Fuck the MLB.
Baseball is too good for you……..in my opinion.
minhunglei
Fair enough said.
minhunglei
Mr. Commissioner: do Altuve, Bergmann and Correa have your nude pictures?
George
The real punishment will last forever. Whenever they look at that banner hanging in their rafters, they will know they cheated, and the title has a stink on it. Forever.
I really hope wherever they go this year, they will be booed by the fans, with maybe a few well thought out signs in the stands to let them know we don’t like that stuff.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
This is NOT true and why the asterisk needs to be official.
When Bonds and Clemens were first identified as cheaters, it was widely assumed that they would NEVER make the HOF….
Twenty some years later….memories fade and morals decline….and now, a majority of the baseball world wants to honor them.
The same will happen with the Astros…unless the asterisk is made official.
AndyMeyer
Referring to the trophy as a “piece of medal” should call for this guy to resign
User 2997803866
Definitely should have disabled comments on this post. This thread proves human beings are incapable of having a mature adult conversation. I don’t care whose side your on, at least act intelligent. Also, why are we so outraged by this and turn a blind eye to way more problematic injustices in our country and world. Oh wait … I forgot people care more about a game than they do people.
empirejim
mgraubo….. this is a baseball site. People come here to talk baseball. There are many sites you can choose to visit for discourse on the topics you mentioned. Be mature and adult and go find one…..
FourTfour
@Mrgrauboo…Astros fan? Serious question. I ask because the worst attitudes, thoughts and negative statements I’ve seen have come from Astros fans themselves or baseball fans with frustration at the lack of remorse from Astros fans. It’s really been gross.
Not once have I seen an Astros fan with a sentiment even close to “I’m not sure I can root for these cheaters anymore.”
Manfred is nothing but a messenger boy for the billionaire owners. His power is unfortunate, but this “punishment” is quite indicative of who he’s beholden to. And it sure as hell ain’t the integrity of the game.
MoRivera 1999
Actually there was an Astros fan above who basically said he couldn’t root for the Astros anymore. He said F the Astros. But you’re still mostly right. I have only seen 2 or 3 of those. Most defend the Astros tooth and nail and will support them to the death.
rognog
I want to help the homeless, but there is genocide elsewhere so f em
steveschoen
I can understand Manfred’s response to the Astros.
However, in comparison to Pete Rose’s punishment, there is no comparison. The Astros tried to cheat the game to win the game, to win money. Pete simply tried to win money.
But, Pete gets the lifetime ban?!
Manfred and baseball now has a morality problem.
Clayton Russell
The other teams all ought to get together and refuse to play the Astros. Let mlb call them forfeits and make Houston 162-0 if they want to. If Manfred couldn’t figure out where it would stop he’s not qualified to be a ball boy let alone commissioner.
its_happening
Come May, Manfred should announce he is stepping down at the end of the 2020 season. He was to embrace technology upon taking the position and clearly this has grown well beyond what he could have imagined. With rampant cheating going on in baseball for over 100 years he did not have the foresight to see what could happen.
There are other reasons too. At this point the image of baseball continues to spiral downward. Manfred stepping down won’t necessarily help the image but there needs to be a shakeup.
Gunnarroxx72
What about the umps? They can check a bat it they feel it was corked and they can inspect a pitcher if they feel he is using a “foreign substance”. But they never heard the trash banging or could put 2 and 2 together? Would love to hear from the umpires association on this one.
Hawktattoo
Question for everyone…how would baseball handle the players that have left from 2017 team and with a new team. If that player was banned or punished for season or seasons would effect new team and their fans.
MoRivera 1999
So be it. An alternative would be to request the players forfeit their WS winnings as a fine. This money could go to a fund to prevent sign stealing in 2020. I would still prefer both the fine and the suspension but the fine at least would be better than what we have.
M’s is for maybe
One word describes Manfreds legacy, tarnished.
He has zero respect for the game, and it’s fans.
He’s gotta go.
RobBoSoxNMariners
For this to happen the fans must boycott everything and demand Manfred gone as a condition to come back. Why we don’t stand up for each other as fans baffles me.
empirejim
“So we knew if we had disciplined the players in all likelihood we were going to have grievances and grievances that we were going to lose on the basis that we never properly informed them of the rules”.
That’s on you, Manfred. It’s your job and you blew it. Now it has blown up in your face. The Astros players need to be punished and you gave them immunity. The ONLY option I see that will bring back any semblance of business as usual is to strip the title. The players pay the price of their actions and then we all can let them go about rebuilding their credibility. It will take time, but without punishment they have no way to get back.
MoRivera 1999
…AND step down for being incompetent (which he basically admitted).
ThePeople'sElbow
Manfred’s explanation is akin to: we’re letting the inmates run the asylum now, we tried to enforce a 10pm curfew but they just weren’t having it..
Bartman
I guess there was a lot of feedback from fans that made MLB uncomfortable so they had to bring out the big gun to attempt to quash the really bad PR. Having to give all players on the team immunity shows that MLB dosen’t know how to run an investigation and now they are paying the price. Suspending only non-players who weren’t running the scam is ridiculous. All players should have been suspended for 28 games without pay and each American league team given 2 wins with the Astros starting 0-28 for the season.
Steve_SD
I’d have been happy with simply saying to the Astros, “No post-season for you in 2020!”
wg22659
Manfred is the anti Christ of the game taking it down the tubes. 2 years of the juiced ball he lied about, the cheating scandal and the nonsense attached to that, his 42 team contraction losing 8-10,000 jobs for people and possible law suits over that, and a CBA in 2022 that could be ugly. He’s reinventing the game in a negative way and should be replaced.
rognog
This stooge let a team cheat to win a championship, good job Precedent Guy
Briffle2
If it ever comes out that anyone involved lied or didn’t tell the truth, the hammer better be brought down.
skrockij89
Manfred is a clown.
TheLawAbides
Manfred knows he had the power to suspend the players right, what is this perfect world he’s talking about? If he thought a perfect world wouldve had suspension why offer immunity again for the 18 red Sox?
He learns nothing and ruining the game for the people that actually love it to try and interest more people, than wondering why viewership and attendance is down.
martras
I now know why MLBTR shuts off comments on so many potentially controversial topics…
Steve_SD
Apparently, none of the Astros players read anything relating to baseball: I, and many (most?) of my friends were well aware of the memo from MLB that allegedly only went as far as Luhnow. Now, I’m not affiliated with any Major League (or Minor League) team, yet we all knew of it, and none of the Asstros players or coaches did? I guarantee Luhnow didn’t give US the memo.
Try again, Commissioner.
weezer17
This jerkoff needs to be fired. Who cares about precedent. A team has been caught cheating in a way that the opposing teams couldn’t defend against. The Houston Asterisks MUST be stripped of their title, or really, what punishment did they really serve? They won, got paid and should lose everything given to them from the win. This lame “punishment” is not a deterrent at all.
BlueSkies_LA
It’s depressing to see how many fans buy into the idea that the commissioner is a freelancer, or he works for the fans, or some such silly idea. No, he gets his marching orders straight from the owners. They are his employer and he is their mouthpiece. He only gets fired if he isn’t doing their bidding.
The owners sure have a sweet deal. They protect the members of the owner’s club then hide behind the commissioner’s skirts. Many if not most fans don’t even think about who is really calling the shots. When the commissioner’s mouth moves, the owner’s voices are coming out. Remember that.
frozeninneohio
“Once you go down that road as for changing the result on the field, I just don’t know where you stop.” Hey Manfred, don’t you get it at all? The result on the field was already changed when Astros batters knew what pitch was coming. You can’t honestly say that it didn’t have some level of effect on the outcome. And then you double down by taking away a pitchers right to the inside half of the plate by threatening discipline if they hit an Astroroid. So you essentially are saying that you’re going to judge intent of a HBP. Grow a set of ⚾️⚾️.
fieldsj2
In the real world Manfred is a joke! In a perfect world? What does that even mean?
wordonthestreet
Agree. Manfred is a joke!
myplane150
I actually understand not wanting to directly punish the players as this would have meant dealing with the asshats in the union but, the team needed a swift kick in the ass which would include front office and the players (albeit indirectly). This could be accomplished by taking the trophy away and making the organization donate millions more to baseball charities. His response, like the ‘punishment’, is weak.
ThePeople'sElbow
eff the union, when players realize they’re getting squeezed out because their leaders want to protect a minority then they’ll elect new leadership
sillyscully
Even with plenty of comments on this, I have to chime in to say Manfred screwed up big time. He has proved to children and adults that you can cheat, win a title, and still walk away unpunished for said title. Being bombarded by media and sulking around is just a consequence of cheating, not a punishment. Strip the title, actually “SET A PRESIDENCE” and say there’s no WS champion of 2017. Ridiculous!
Bigpoppapuff_34
I really don’t think stiffer penalties are gonna keep pitchers from pegging Astro batters… At least I hope not.. I think Bregman specifically will take a beating in the first 3 months as by then, the majority of all teams will have had the chance to face the Stros.. At least I hope pitchers aren’t deterred by the enhanced penalties.. Gonna be a fun first 3 months and I hope the Astros have plenty of first aid kits and slings… #scumbags
bjhaas1977
They need to impeach the Commissioner! He’s the worst thing that’s happened in my lifetime.
hexum311
So basically do nothing and see what happens.
FYI getting the info out in the open is only half the job! #firemanfed
dan-9
I am coming around on the Fire Manfred train. Between his response to this scandal, which is constant damage control, and which he clearly knew about far in advance of the official investigation, to the difference in the baseball itself, which (coincidentally???) caused the home run spike the same year Manfred took over as commissioner. Speaking of which, it took him years to even acknowledge the problem, let alone begin an investigation into the ball. And the outcome was that he basically shrugged and said, “there’s nothing we can do about it.” It points to either gross incompetence or behind-the-scenes meddling that he refuses to own up to. Either way, he needs to go, and quickly.
kelticknotz
Manfred talks about precedent’s and how it effects decisions. Since this was the first time the issue of sign stealing was ever addressed.
The
I’ve liked the Astro’s but cheating is cheating. The 2017 W/S trophy should be returned and labeled vacant. All the rings should be returned for disposal. All members of the Astros (excluding office staff) should be required to return the shares they received for winning the series.
And since this violates the primary rules of mlb and no one has received anything more then a 1 year suspension. Then the life time bans on Joe Jackson and Pete Rose should be lifted since Manfred has now set the precedent.
619bird
The fans have an opportunity to voice displeasure over all this situation and chalk one up for the good guys.The All-Star game is at Dodgers Stadium. Let’s make this little weasel Manfred and the Astros franchise squirm by putting in as many Astros players in the game as possible and get a few Dodgers pitchers and position players as well. I will have my popcorn ready for that one. I don’t even vote for the game but I would sure take the 20 times your allowed to get them in.
Knowing Manfred he’ll find a reason to skip it. Guy should’ve been shown the door 2-3 years ago.
BlueSkies_LA
Manfred works for the owners and nobody but the owners. Who do you expect to fire him when he clearly represents the interests of his employers so well? They have to love hearing fans beat up on Manfred. He takes the heat so they can hide out. Seems to work like a charm. What sweet deal.
Nobody knows how to answer this question. I wonder why?
Rallyshirt
The polls for Astros representing the All Star game will drop like the Husafell Stone.
BlueSkies_LA
Had to look that one up. Nice reference!
fan4life
I’m a little surprised by all the scolding comments. I played baseball from age 5 to 20, and signal stealing was part of the game. There guys on second flopping their arms like a bird when a fastball was coming. I’m not condoning the behavior; however, I think everyone should take it easy.
dan-9
Is this seriously your first exposure to this story? Stealing signs is not the issue. Using a video camera to do it is.
Yes, stealing signs is okay if the runner on second is doing it with his eyes and his wits. It’s not okay if someone not even on the field is figuring out the signs using a camera and sending a signal to the batters. That’s not gamesmanship. That’s just cheating.
#00 Reds Fan
stealing signs from 2b is still breaking the rules. but I agree its totally different.
MLBTRS
You miss the point by a mile and a quarter: equating a player who tries to decipher a catcher’s signs while standing on 2B to the Astros technological application is pure nonsense. Would you “take it easy” if you owned a business and a competitor stole your trade secrets instead of working overtime to match the quality of your product or service?
#00 Reds Fan
Manfred did the best he could with the situation he had. I don’t care what he did someone would complain. The bottom line is the Astros won. If we are going to strip titles from cheaters lets take the 1989 world series from the A’s for McGuire and Canseco being using PED’s. The player immunity was the best way to get them to bring out the truth. And Bellinger whining is ridiculous! He hit less than .200 in the 17 WS. If he hits better the Dogders win it anyway. He should take some personal accountability for choking on the big stage. I don’t like the cheating. I just wish the reporters would let it die. Quit going up to players and saying “what do you think about the stealing signs scandal”. I really don’t care what the other players in the mlb think about it. Lets just move on play some baseball. Not letting it go is bad for the whole sport. The players should know that and just quit commenting.
cc10cc
Too bad that Manfred didn’t do a good job of dealing with this situation – until that happens, MLB can’t move on.
Also, even if McGwire and Canseco had an unfair advantage, MLB hadn’t yet banned PEDs in 1989, so they didn’t break any rules.
Valkyrie
Actually buttercup, MLB will move on nicely. The only people dwelling on this are the talking heads and idiots like you.
cc10cc
Flattery aside Valkyrie, you disagree with almost everyone on this blog – why?
neillshanahan
Here’s a suggestion.
Boycott all Houston Astros away games till MLB strips them of their 2017 title
Valkyrie
HEY STUPID. That really doesn’t hurt the Astros much.
Fshman00
as with all sports the only way to put a stop to anything is to make examples out of the player(s)!! Suspend the whole team for the year. Players, coaches everybody. anyone in the dugout or bullpen are guilty by association!! Have the Astros play the season with their minor league players. maybe its harsh especially for the players who didnt cheat but I would bet that those who didnt knew about it!!
Dodger Dogg
How can the Astros say, “We earned the championship” when they were found guilty of cheating?
steveschoen
Since I couldn’t find a single post dealing with this topic, I will post it here. . .
It’s not as much that I am against the Astros on this. But, the Commissioner is entirely wrong on this. I mean, seriously, it costs front office people their jobs. But, a player didn’t get even a one day suspension?
I don’t know of the sign stealing did directly affect the games or not. Most likely it did. But, people can’t say one way or another on something that didn’t occur. But, these players tried to cheat the game. Directly. And, they didn’t get even a one day suspension? The Astros didn’t deserve to lose their WS title based on their explicit attempt at cheating the game?
Then, when you compare it to Pete Rose is still out of the game, this is absolute nuts. Pete never cheated the game. He just tried to win in other ways. What the Astros did was by far way more egregious than anything Pete did. But, Pete gets the perverbial “death penalty”, while the Astro players get off scot free?
This is nuts. The Comissioner just dropped many notches in my book.
Paul Griggs
In grand baseball tradition, put an asterisk next to the Astros World Series win. Make them put an asterisk on the banner they hang from their stadium rafters. Make the Astros tell opposing batters the pitches that are coming at all home games. Fine the Astros players every time they whine about the punishment. I wonder if there will be a significant reduction in the Astros’ hitting this season? If so, Hall of Fame voters should take that into consideration, just like they did for the steroids era players.
A'sFan4ver
Someone mention bringing a buzzer to all away Astros games. How about beating trash cans too just to annoy them as they get into the batter’s box. Or point lasers in their eyes..oh maybe not that’s illegal..jk Ops wouldn’t want to break any rules. Maybe the buzzer annoyance is good idea.
chisoxjuan
Manfred needs to be fired. He allowed both the 2017 & 2018 WS to be tainted with cheating scandals WHEN there were was plenty of warning by sports writers around the nation. If he wants to now act like this is some kind of surprise he’s essentially saying I’m too lazy to follow potential scandalous news about MLB.
The biggest losers are the Dodgers as they were victimized the most by what we can call the “real-time audible” sign exchange scandal of the Astros in 2017 & the smart watch sign exchange scandal of the Red Sox in 2018. This presents a unique situation
& offers an equally unique resolution. Allow the Dodgers to replay the 2017 WS vs the Astros in Feb, 2021. That’s plenty of time for player’s to rest but it’s too much to ask of the Dodgers to then replay the 2018 WS vs the Red Sox that same month. Instead that replay would happen Feb, 2022.
Ask the fans if they would accept that remedy for the tainted titles.
If they say yes, the Dodgers could potential win 2020, 2017, 2021, & 2018 by Mar, 2022. That would give them 4 championships in a 5 yr span & cement both their
dynasty & legacy of the 21st century.
I’m not a Dodgers fan, but I can’t think of a better remedy than giving them a chance
to win the titles that were cheated out of. The added revenue of those games should be enough to convince the owners & union to get it done.
Manfred should also be fired for allowing video replay to be used beyond a HR ball call. If there aren’t enough umps to decide calls on the field then hire more. Shadow 2B, SS, & CF. Nothing ruins the pace of the game more than having to wait on video replay calls over a single out play!
Dodger Dogg
Now the MLB Players Association is refuting what Manfred said.
MLB Players Association said, “any suggestion the union triggered some kind of stand-off over player immunity is “untrue” and that the league was never going to be able to discipline players over the scheme.”
Two take aways from this:
1 – Manfred needs to explain himself, yet again.
2 – Going forward, if more evidence of Astros cheating surfaces, will both the Players Association and the commissioner agree to discipline the Astros players?
Baseball Expert
Manfred is the anti-Midas. Everything he touches turns into sheet.
Eatdust666
If Jose Altuve gets inducted into the Hall of Fame, then so should guys like Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, who will get in on his first try, Rafael Palmeiro, Andy Pettitte, Thurman Munson, Don Mattingly and Curt Schilling. Yes, I am completely aware that I have a Yankee and PED bias, but I don’t care.