Astros About to Pay the Piper

By Joe Aguiar

(Photo credit Yahoo Sports)

It didn’t happen on opening day or even the first weekend when Major League Baseball resumed its season. It finally happened on Tuesday night.

Los Angles Dodgers relived Joe Kelly threw at Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, then went after Shortstop Carlos Correa. After he struck out Correa, Kelly reportedly yelled “Nice swing, b**ch!”

Despite Covid-19, riots across America and a presidential election in the horizon, no one has forgotten what the Houston Astros did.

Houston was fined $5 million, the maximum allowed by the MLB constitution, and forced to forfeit their first- and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021. General Manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were suspended for the 2020 season for failing to prevent the rules violations.

Most felt this was a slap on the rest. MLB players will decide what’s appropriate.

New Astros Manager Dusty Baker tried to defend his team, suggesting Kelly’s denial of intent, despite the fact the Dodgers reliever is notoriously wild.

Baker even suggested that Kelly was the “one who started this mess in the first place”. Apparently, old Dusty doesn’t have a clue why this is happening, and will be equally surprised when it happens again.. and again.. and again..

Carlos Correa insulted the Dodgers Cody Bellinger about the Astros cheating scandal, suggesting it’s not why they won the World Series that year, and he denied teammate and 2017 AL MVP Jose Altuve cheated.

“The reason José Altuve apologized to the media was for being part of the team and for not stopping it, But he’s not apologizing for using the trash can. He’s not apologizing for cheating because he did not cheat … José Altuve earned that MVP, and he’s been showing that for years.”

The apology was poor and no one on the Houston Astros has an ounce of credibility. Altuve and Bregman’s apology fell short, and they didn’t own up to what they had done. Owner Jim Crane was adamant that the sign-stealing trash can system aided his team. No one believes his either. Or with the punishment MLB handed out.

The Astros would be well served to apologize sincerely, and lose the attitude, or they should expect this treatment to continue.

Cheaters never prosper.

(Note: MLB suspended Joe Kelly for eight games. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was suspended one game. Astros manager Dusty Baker was also fined. Severe penalty, Kelly is appealing.)

Joe Aguiar is the host of the Roll Call Podcast

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