Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker was already in a tough spot by taking the manager job in the first place.
Coming off of an offseason that has seen the Astros general manager and previous manager A.J. Hinch, both lose their jobs. As a result of the team’s sign-stealing scandal. A scandal that has also affected the Mets and Red Sox, with Carlos Beltran and Alex Cora who were both members of the Astros organization during the time of the scandal.
Baker has made a viable case, one that never occurred to me at least, during this whole ramification process.
He wants baseball to protect his players from retaliation at the hands of opposing teams. Whether it being hit by a pitch or another form of aggression.
Houston manager Dusty Baker: MLB needs to step in to stop "premeditated" targeting of Astros hitters with pitches from opponents angry at their cheating.
News story at ESPN: https://t.co/JNJAwXtRJW
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 15, 2020
As teams have begun to report for spring training throughout the league, players have all been asked about the Astros scandal. Many have not minced words: Cheaters, disgrace, embarrassment, despicable lenient punishment have been some of the frequent responses.
Many Yankees and Dodgers players’ stance is that the Astros cheating stole their chance at a World Series Championship. That adds validity to Baker’s argument.
I’m sure MLB had already planned on keeping a close eye on everything the Astros do going forward anyway, but this is another interesting to keep an eye on this season.
