Oct 24, 2019 - Sports

Astros fire assistant GM after finding tirade was aimed at reporters

Michael Sykes

The Houston Astros have fired assistant general manager Brandon Taubman after a joint investigation with Major League Baseball revealed that insensitive comments he made in the clubhouse were aimed at female reporters, according to a team statement.

Why it matters: The team's decision to fire Taubman comes after the league stepped in to investigate the situation on Wednesday. The Astro's initial ruling was that Taubman's comments were not aimed at a specific reporter.

Background: After Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, Taubman shouted in the clubhouse, "Thank God we got [Roberto] Osuna! I’m so f------ glad we got Osuna!" at three female reporters, including Sports Illustrated's Stephanie Apstein, who detailed the incident for SI.

Taubman was referring to Astros closer Roberto Osuna, who the team traded for in 2018 while he was serving a 75-game suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy.
After the SI story was published, the Astros released a statement calling the report "misleading and completely irresponsible," claiming that Apstein was attempting to "fabricate a story where one does not exist."
The MLB stepped in on Wednesday after the Astros' initial investigation.

What they're saying: "We sincerely apologize to Stephanie Apstein, Sports Illustrated and all individuals who witnessed this incident or were offended by the inappropriate conduct," the team said in a statement. "The Astros in no way intended to minimize issues related to domestic violence."

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Astros fire assistant GM after finding tirade was aimed at reporters

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