Deshaun Watson was grilled by Cleveland media at Browns introductory press conference
CRINGE ALERT!
25 March 2022
CRINGE ALERT!
We haven't heard Deshaun Watson speak much over the last year, so it was very interesting to see him answer tough questions in front of the Cleveland media on Friday. Overall, it was a bad look for Deshaun and GM Andrew Berry in my opinion. The whole thing was uncomfortable and just felt icky. But that was to be expected in a circumstance like this.
The presser was filled with what seemed to be blatant lies from Watson and Berry. Such as, the money not being that big a factor in Watson's decision to play for Cleveland. Andrew Berry stating that Watson's base salary of $1 million in 2022 wasn't an attempt to avoid financial punishment from the league when a suspension is handed down. Also, the Browns saying they fully investigated the lawsuits against Watson, but didn't actually talk to any of the alleged victims.
Andrew Berry and owner Jimmy Haslam told the media they received "strong recommendations" from their legal team not to speak to any of the woman. The list goes on and on. When Watson was asked tough questions about the sexual assault allegations, he was able to hide behind the ongoing lawsuits and not comment.
Watson was also asked about the status of the lawsuits, and said he didn't plan on settling the cases and plans to keep fighting and trying to clear his name. One of the highlights of the day was Watson saying he has "no regrets" for what has transpired over the last year.
In the end, the Browns basically said they felt comfortable with Deshaun as a person, and that ultimately led to the decision to trade for him.
I highly recommend watching the full press conference above, especially if you're a fan of cringe-worthy pressers. And let's give credit to the Cleveland and national media for asking tough questions and not backing down. See you later Deshaun, you're Cleveland's problem now.
José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.