HOUSTON — The Astros’ acquisition of former Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna is once again under fire following an alleged outburst in the team’s clubhouse over the past weekend.
The latest incident reportedly occurred after the Astros clinched a berth in the World Series with a win over the New York Yankees. According to a Sports Illustrated report , following the game Astros assistant GM Brandon Taubman taunted three female reporters by celebrating the team’s acquisition of Osuna in July, 2018.
“Thank God we got Osuna. I’m so f – – – – – – glad we got Osuna,” SI reported Taubman as saying, a claim confirmed by two Houston Chronicle reporters who witnessed it.
At the time the Astros acquired Osuna he was serving a 75-game suspension for violation of Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policies. Osuna had been accused of assaulting the mother of his child in Toronto, charges that were dropped after a peace bond was signed.
The Astros were criticized at the time of the signing, however and Osuna has remained a controversial figure with the American League champs. Complicating Saturday’s incident was the fact that Osuna had blown a ninth-inning lead for the Astros, making it an odd time for Taubman to celebrate the reliever.
The Astros reacted swiftly to the report calling it “misleading and completely irresponsible” saying that Taubman was “supporting the player in a difficult time” while claiming the comments were not directed at specific reporters.”
The Astros and Washington Nationals open up the World Series here tonight at Minute Maid Park.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
