Astros Request New Judge to Hear Mike Bolsinger's Lawsuit in Latest Weak Move
By Scott Rogust
The Houston Astros dominated the baseball news cycle due to being proven guilty by Major League Baseball of stealing signs via electronics in 2017, the year the squad won their first-ever World Series. Due to the team's lack of regard for the integrity of the game, they ruined careers of many opposing pitchers, like Mike Bolsinger.
Team owner Jim Crane and the Astros organization were sued by the ex-Toronto Blue Jays pitcher over their cheating ways -- Bolsinger, of course, lost his job in pro ball after suffering a particularly embarrassing beatdown in Houston.
As it turns out, before the Astros even filed a response to Bolsinger's claim, their defense attorney, Harry Mittleton, expressed his belief that they wouldn't receive a "fair and impartial trial" from Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Malcolm Mackey. Naturally, the team demanded a new one.
Astros to judge: You’re out!
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) March 26, 2020
Mike Bolsinger’s attorney: “The irony is not lost on me that the team that broke every rule and cheated to win a World Series is now claiming a randomly assigned judge would not be fair to them.”
https://t.co/P7sBnkmcnx
It's important to note that each side in a lawsuit is allowed to request a new judge without elaboration. Usually, these requests are granted, and it effectively delays the trial by a couple of weeks. The Astros legal team seems to know what they're doing, huh?
Ben Meiselas, Bolsinger's attorney, couldn't help but point out the irony that the Astros, who routinely cheated in 2017, are crying foul about a judge not giving them a fair trial. That's what happens when you're proven guilty. You lose all benefit of the doubt.
Bolsinger faced the Astros back in Aug. 4, 2017, where he lasted just 0.1 innings, allowing four earned runs and four hits on 29 pitches. In his suit, Bolsinger claims that he heard trash can banging on 12 of his pitches. Shortly after that start, Bolsinger was sent down to the minors, and was later released by the Blue Jays organization.
On August 4th, the game with the most trash can bangs, the Astros scored 16 earned runs. Mike Bolsinger, a Blue Jays reliever, allowed 4 earned runs in 0.1 IP. He never pitched in the big leagues again. https://t.co/iEWXSokLvn
— David Spampinato (@DavidSpampinato) January 29, 2020
Bolsinger wants the Astros to forfeit the $31 million they made in the 2017 postseason and donate it all to charity.
The Astros haven't endeared themselves to the 29 other MLB teams due to their lack of remorse from the sign-stealing scandal, so they shouldn't be shocked to hear negative feedback from this latest news report.