The Houston Astros continue to face scrutiny for electronically stealing signs at Minute Maid Park during the 2017 and ’18 seasons. The organization was punished this past offseason, but many around the sport felt the penalties were too light.
Houston received a hefty fine, lost multiple draft picks and saw former general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch each get suspended for the entire 2020 season.
However, Astros players were granted immunity from potential suspensions for cooperating with Major League Baseball during the investigation processb. The club’s 2017 World Series championship also remains intact, with commissioner Rob Manfred opting against vacating it.
During an appearance on Fox Sports 1, Justin Turner echoed the sentiments of multiple Los Angeles Dodgers players and acknowledged that like Joe Kelly, he may never get over the weak punishments dished out to the Astros:
“One thing he did say that I read about is he said it’s something that’s going to bother him for the rest of his life. It’s something I think all of us are going to live with for the rest of our lives. Just to say, ‘It’s done it’s over with’ and move on, I don’t think is a reality for anyone. I think around the league there’s a lot of guys upset and feel like the punishment didn’t really fit the crime. I don’t know if that’ll ever go away for me.”
Throughout Spring Training, a handful of Dodgers players weighed in on the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, with perhaps the most pointed comments coming from reigning National League MVP Cody Bellinger.
He asserted the Astros stole a World Series from the Dodgers, cheated for three years and said Manfred’s ruling was lacking, among other issues.
As for Turner, he was also critical of Manfred for setting a “soft precedent” and opined that Houston’s championship should have been stripped.
Kelly suspension reduced to five games
While the Dodgers were able to complete a two-game series sweep of the Astros last month, it wasn’t without some fireworks in the opening contest.
After sailing a pitch over Alex Bregman’s head and backing up Yuli Gurriel with a breaking ball, Kelly struck out Correa to complete a scoreless sixth inning. The two exchanged glares and shouted in each other’s direction — prompting benches to clear.
Despite not hitting any batters, MLB came down hard on Kelly, giving him an eight-game suspension. That ban has since been reduced to five games after the 32-year-old appealed the decision.
However, Kelly won’t be able to serve his suspension until he is activated off the 10-day injured list.
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