WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Houston Astros are working to “regain the trust” of their fans and the rest of the baseball community ahead of the 2020 season, following the sign-stealing scandal that got general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch fired.
Team owner Jim Crane, new manager Dusty Baker and players Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman addressed the issue at their spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Florida ahead of the first practice for pitchers and catchers.
“I’m really sorry for the choices that were made,” Bregman said. “I hope to regain the trust of baseball fans.”
Crane said the incident will never happen again and the team is working to move past the scandal that tarnished their 2017 championship win.
Following the news conference, people on Twitter were not quick to buy the apology give, saying it was sad and “made them look worse.”
That #Astros press conference was sad and actually makes them look worse. I thought Bregman was supposed to be some cocky bad ass. He sounded like Ricky Bobby after he won his first race. pic.twitter.com/HFw7YbPbIF
— Josh Innes (@JoshInnesShow) February 13, 2020
Here are some of the other things people are saying about the public address:
Aroldis Chapman responds to Jim Crane's comments that the Astros stealing signs didn't have an impact on the game:
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) February 13, 2020
"I disagree with that...when you have an advantage like that, it's definitely going to make you a stronger team" pic.twitter.com/6YW3Q6jVFr
that Astros press conference pic.twitter.com/y0m2G0Lggf
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 13, 2020
People hate the Yankees for winning
— Joel (@JoelFourBases) February 13, 2020
People hate the Lakers for winning
People hate the Patriots for winning
People hate the Cowboys for winning
People hate the #Astros because they've showed absolutely no remorse and nothing but arrogance for lying, deception & cheating
Recap of the Astros apology pic.twitter.com/eXY18671c8
— Greg, MBA (@itsgreg72) February 13, 2020
Astros owner Jim Crane claiming cheating didn’t help them win the World Series may be the most tone deaf, arrogant, and despised statement in baseball since steroid scandal. Stunning!
— Jay Crawford (@JaycrawfordCLE) February 13, 2020
I don’t even know where to begin
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) February 13, 2020
The MLB completely botched the entire investigation into the Astros cheating scandal
After seeing the “apologies” today, Jim Crane & every Astros player proved that they aren’t sorry they cheated, they’re sorry they got caught
Disgraceful @MLB
The Astros, basically pic.twitter.com/UZ6rWhMKxZ
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 13, 2020
Various media were not the only ones who criticized the Astros apology. Current and former MLB players also gave their thoughts across the league.
Sean Manaea isn't holding back. The A's pitcher blasts Astros’ comments on stealing signs: "They skated by." @SusanSlusser reports from Arizona: https://t.co/BPIoulsdDX pic.twitter.com/PDR5Nu8oug
— Sporting Green (@SportingGreenSF) February 14, 2020
😂😂😂😂😂😂that’s it? What a f*#*!!! joke. I’m old, retired, out of the game so screw my thoughts but damn lol. All people want is something from the heart if it’s there. Something!!
— David Freese (@DavidFreese) February 13, 2020
"I hope they feel like (expletive).”
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) February 12, 2020
Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney's fiery rant offers glimpse of what the Astros should expect this season 😳https://t.co/UvB5r9woBu
