MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Regrets How He Handled Astros Cheating Investigation

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred claims that, given a second chance, he would not have given the Houston Astros players’ immunity during the team’s sign-stealing scandal investigation.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Regrets How He Handled Astros Cheating Investigation

Manfred led the MLB investigation that established the Astros stole signs equipped with forbidden electronics their route to winning the 2017 World Series. In the aftermath, the Boston Red Sox ousted former Astros bench coach Alex Cora from his managerial position and fired manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow.

All of the players were given amnesty by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in exchange for their cooperation in the league’s informant program.

The Astros forfeited draft selections and were fined $5 million in addition to having manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow suspended for the entire 2020 season.

However, there were no consequences for the players, which caused great controversy around the league. Manfred claims that he now regrets his choice.

However, Astros players were given immunity throughout the investigation; this decision infuriated both players and fans when MLB’s findings and punishment were released in January 2020.

Manfred said in a sit-down interview with “Time” magazine last month that there are some decisions from his eight years in power that he wishes he could go back and change. The first of these is the time he referred to the Commissioner’s Trophy as a “piece of metal” in an attempt to justify why MLB didn’t need to strip the Astros of their 2017 championship.

“I mean, if I could take back the rather flip comment I made about the World Series trophy at one time, I’d take that one back,” Manfred said. “There have been times, particularly in times of pressure, when I look back, taking a little more time might have led to a different outcome.”

In addition, he questioned his decision not to punish players in exchange for revealing what they knew about  the Astros’ scheme.

“I’m not sure that I would have approached it with giving players immunity. Once we gave players immunity, it puts you in a box as to what exactly you were going to do in terms of punishment,” Manfred said. “I might have gone about the investigative process without that grant of immunity and see where it takes us. Starting with, I’m not going to punish anybody, maybe not my best decision ever.”

The inquiry by MLB was finished in less than two months. The investigation most certainly would have taken much longer without immunity.

Since the commissioner’s report was published in 2020, spectators have booed members of the 2017 Astros squad, including Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, and Carlos Correa. At least some players are still unhappy.

 

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