Astros: Sign stealing scandal leaves more questions than answers

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Manager AJ Hinch #14 talks with Jeff Luhnow, General Manager of the Houston Astros, prior to game two of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on October 05, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Manager AJ Hinch #14 talks with Jeff Luhnow, General Manager of the Houston Astros, prior to game two of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on October 05, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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I don’t know how to be any other way but honest, so here’s my honest response to the events surrounding the Astros and the outcome of the investigation by the MLB.

I have so many questions. I have so many confusing feelings. I feel like I’ve had my personality split in half. There’s the half that loves the Astros with an undying love, and then there’s the half that is so very angry with this whole situation.

Many of you saw my piece early on in this investigation, and I so appreciate you reading my writings and your comments. Bear with me as I process my thoughts after the news from the Commissioner.

First of all, in all honesty, I REALLY wanted to believe this whole scandal was blown completely out of proportion by Mike Fiers when the news was first reported by The Athletic. Now, I’m REALLY torn between being angry at him for putting this proverbial ball in motion and patting him on the back for having the guts to come forward.

I don’t know what to think of it all. The one hand wants to believe that it’s all as black and white as the print that’s on the paper. But the other hand says it’s so much deeper and so much more involved than that and that there is so much to the story that we’ll never know about.

On the one hand:

  • I understand the investigation uncovered some facts that I didn’t want to be true and it just hurts because I so wanted to believe that our management and our players had more integrity than the Commissioner’s nine-page investigation report suggests.
  • I understand that the punishment had to be severe. Even so, I was shocked that Jeff Luhnow and AJ Hinch were both suspended for the 2020 season. And before I even had time for that information to sink in, I learned that they’ve both been fired. Wait. What?
  • There is no way that the outcome of this report came as a surprise to anyone in the organization. There is no way that Jim Crane didn’t realize what was coming before today. So why did he wait to take action? Why wait until they’re both already suspended? Why not just let them both go early on?

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