Jeff Luhnow's Complete Lack of Awareness in Latest Apology Proves Astros Haven't Learned Anything
By Scott Rogust
The Houston Astros have been under fire for the better part of a week in regards to the behavior of now ex-assistant general manager Brandon Taubman. Following ALCS Game 6, Taubman taunted female reporters about acquiring Roberto Osuna, despite the closer's history of domestic abuse. The team initially stood by Taubman in a statement and attacked the character and career of Sports Illustrated reporter Stephanie Apstein.
Days later, with Taubman terminated, general manager Jeff Luhnow spoke in front of the media on Thursday. Luhnow admitted that they were lied to by the former front office executive and were wrong to release that original statement.
Luhnow making it clear that Brandon Taubman lied to the #Astos when they asked him about the incident, and now says they were wrong to ever issue the original statement.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 24, 2019
Luhnow continued, saying that the Astros organization owns their mistake of releasing their statement just hours after Apstein's story was published and apologized to the media and general public. Yet, he said that many people looked over the original statement before releasing it.
As we now know, that turned out to be a massive blunder.
Jeff Luhnow says the organization owns the original statement and apologizes
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 24, 2019
While the organization opted to fire Taubman, Luhnow said his behavior in the clubhouse was "out of character," while stressing that there isn't a cultural issue in the front office, coaching staff, and team. These statements, of course, completely contradict themselves.
Behavior was “out of character” for Taubman, Luhnow said. “This is not a cultural issue. We have a lot of really good people in our front office, our coaching staff, and our team.”
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) October 24, 2019
While Luhnow and the organization took the blame, the public relations disaster only continued.
The Astros general manager was asked by a member of the media if he had apologized to Apstein for essentially attempting to ruin her career. Luhnow answered by saying he hasn't had the time to reach out to Apstein for the apology.
The thing is, Apstein was sitting in the room as he provided that answer.
Astros GM Jeff Luhnow was asked whether he had personally reached out to @stephapstein to apologize.
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) October 24, 2019
Luhnow said he’s been busy and hasn’t had the time.
Stephanie was sitting in the room.
While Luhnow and the Houston Astros attempted to backtrack and own up to a PR nightmare, they fully botched the process yet again.