How many pounds of flesh are needed to satisfy?
The media needs to end its witch hunt against the Astros
Oct 27, 2019, 1:47 pm
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Astros owner Jim Crane and GM Jeff Luhnow have come under fire for their 'corporate culture' in the aftermath of the firing of Assistant GM Brandon Taubman.
We saw the greatness of social media on full display last week. Media of all baseball backgrounds coming together to support their own against an Astros executive who deserved every bit of the uprising against him. Brandon Taubman tried to intimidate female reporters, lied about it, used his influence as Assistant General Manager to try to cover it up. His actions were ultimately discovered, his lies exposed, and in 72 hours he was terminated.
The Astros released a statement that included the following:
"We were wrong. We sincerely apologize to Stephanie Apstein, Sports Illustrated and to all individuals who witnessed this incident or were offended by the inappropriate conduct."
The Astros admitted being wrong in black and white, and made their apology. Apparently that wasn't good enough.
The demand for justice is still unsatisfied. Now the media wants to know who Taubman spoke to, who were the witnesses, who wrote the original statement (paying no attention to the fact that as AGM, Taubman likely had significant influence over what was written). One firing isn't enough. The demand for justice has now become a witch hunt, with the media demanding names and associations, blaming the Astros culture, and demanding more firings.
On Saturday, October 26, I explained how this situation has gone from the best of social media to the worst of social media, the unrealistic standard being applied, and why the baseball media needs to end this crusade against the Astros.
AUDIO: Patrick Creighton: Its Time for Media to End Witch Hunt vs Astros
Patrick Creighton is the host of "Late Hits" on ESPN 97.5 weeknights 7-9p CT, and "Straight Heat" on SB Nation Radio weeknights 12-5a CT. Follow him on Twitter: @PCreighton1
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Bobby Witt Jr. and Jonathan India each drove in two runs to help Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 7-5 on Monday night.
Michael Massey homered as Kansas City improved to 8-2 in its last 10 games. India finished with three hits, and Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino and Kyle Isbel each had two.
Wacha (3-4) allowed two runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings. Carlos Estévez got three outs for his 12th save.
Massey sparked Kansas City's four-run second with a leadoff drive against rookie Ryan Gusto (3-2) for his second homer. India hit a two-out RBI single and scored on Witt's first triple of the season. Pasquantino added a run-scoring single.
The Royals added three more in the third. Drew Waters and India each hit an RBI single, and Witt drove in Waters with a sacrifice fly.
Jake Meyers had two hits and scored two runs for Houston, which had won three of four.
Zach Dezenzo hit an RBI double in the seventh for the Astros, and Jeremy Peña added a sacrifice fly. Meyers' RBI single helped his team close to 7-5 in the eighth.
Gusto allowed seven hits and walked three in 2 1/3 innings.
Key moment
Jose Altuve hit a leadoff single in the ninth for Houston. But Isaac Paredes flied out, Christian Walker struck out and Yainer Diaz flied out.
Key stat
Wacha entered with the least run support among starters at 1.79 runs per game. The Royals had not scored more than two runs with him on the mound in any of his eight starts.
Up next
LHP Kris Bubic (4-2, 1.69 ERA) starts on Tuesday for the Royals against LHP Framber Valdez (2-4, 3.94 ERA).