Jeff Luhnow said the incident was "not a cultural issue" reflective of the organizationGETTY IMAGES
The Astros on Thursday fired Assistant GM/Player Evaluation Brandon Taubman amid fallout from his "obscenity-filled tirade toward three female reporters," and they also apologized to SI's Stephanie Apstein, whom the team "falsely accused of fabricating a story about the episode," according to a front-page piece by Chandler Rome of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Astros President of Baseball Operations & GM Jeff Luhnow said Taubman's behavior was "inappropriate and not representative of who the Astros are and our culture and what we stand for. ... This is not a cultural issue. We have a lot of really good people. ... This is out of character for that individual as well." In a four-paragraph statement, the Astros "alluded to an 'initial investigation' that led to their strong first statement." However, Luhnow in his press conference said, "It wasn't an investigation. ... It was just the information that we had quickly." The club "spoke to only Taubman and one other Astros employee before putting out" its original statement. MLB "instigated its own investigation on Monday," and the Astros "proactively assisted" in it (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/25). Luhnow said that the Astros decided to fire Taubman "unilaterally, ahead of any specific recommendations by MLB, which could still level punishment of its own" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/25).
MORE PUNISHMENT COMING? Luhnow said of possible further discipline, "The person that was responsible for making those inappropriate comments has been terminated from employment with the Astros. And that's the action that we've taken at this point. I don't know what's gonna happen in the future" (ESPN.com, 10/24). THE ATHLETIC's Jake Kaplan wondered about those within the Astros organization "responsible for crafting the team's false accusations against Apstein in its initial statement." Will they be "allowed to continue to form the public relations strategies for the team moving forward?" Luhnow "declined to identify the people who crafted Monday's statement" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/24). In N.Y., Ken Davidoff notes MLB has the power to fine the Astros organization and "suspend other employees." What happens next will "serve as a good test for Commissioner Rob Manfred, who does not revel in mixing it up with team owners" (N.Y. POST, 10/25).
LONG ROAD AHEAD: In Houston, Jenny Dial Creech writes the Astros admitting fault will "help make up for a lot of wrongdoing that hung in the air during the first two games of the World Series." The Astros "finally got something right," but there is "more work to be done." Creech: "Hopefully, this will force the Astros to start making real change" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/25). A DALLAS MORNING NEWS editorial states the Astros "finally took a step in the right direction" by firing Taubman. However, it is "too bad it took an outcry over the incident to force the team to look deeper" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/25). USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes the Astros are a "team that has shown an utter disregard for honesty, for fairness, for doing the right thing." If MLB does not "throw the book at the Astros, far beyond the firing of Taubman, it will perpetuate this storyline" (USA TODAY, 10/25).
ORGANIZATIONAL MENTALITY: In St. Louis, Ben Frederickson wonders why everyone from Astros manager A.J. Hinch to Manfred was "more troubled by Taubman's jeers" than Astros Owner Jim Crane. Frederickson: "Overflowing arrogance is dangerous. Crane's front office is knee-deep in it" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/25). The GLOBE & MAIL's Cathal Kelly writes regardless of whether or not Lunhow "survives, the reframing of Houston's reputation is well under way." Everyone "hates a bully," and that is what the Astros "represent now." They are the team that "doesn't just want to win, but also to rub your face in it." The Astros "aren't playing baseball," they are "settling scores" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/25).
