I think sports leagues have been better in handling domestic violence issues in the last five years. There are punishments for these actions and it has handled smoothly. Where MLB stands on the Houston Astros, I don't know. But there is a toxic culture in the organization. I've waited a little bit because I don't see the issue dying off, regardless of them winning a World Series or losing it.
Long story short, Brandon Taubman, who was the assistant general manager for the Astros, said some inappropriate stuff in front of three female reporters, one of which is a writer for Sports Illustrated. Along the lines of saying he was glad the team got Roberto Osuna, a closer who was in the midst of a 75 game suspension last year when he was traded to them. Charges were dropped, but the suspension was still in place. The Astros played the denying game and then admitted. Taubman was fired earlier last week and it paints a very bad picture with how they handle the media. Back in the summer, they refused to let a Detroit reporter talk to former Tiger Justin Verlander.
The way the team has handled the media has been very poor. This is how things go sour very quickly and it starts at the top and every area in between the top and bottom. Firing Taubman should not be enough. There should be a hefty fine for the Astros and maybe a loss of a draft pick or two. Owner Jim Crane and GM Jeff Luhnow need to reassess how they handle things in the future. There should be opportunities for second chances, but there's better ways of being professional in the sports world. Either way, even if they win the World Series, this controversy will be looked at more than a championship. The Astros have a long way to go to get rid of the toxicity.
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