LSU Coach Defending Former Tigers SS Alex Bregman Amid Astros Cheating Scandal is a Joke
By Sean Facey
The Houston Astros' achievements over the past three seasons have been marred by their massive cheating scandal, and individual players like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman have rightfully been scrutinized. After all, it's hard to attribute their success to talent when they've known practically every pitch coming their way.
But in the midst of the hate, Bregman's former coach at LSU, Paul Mainieri, inexplicably tried to defender the former Tigers star.
"He does it the right way," he said while trying to convince everyone that Bregman didn't steal signs.
Paul Mainieri defended former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman, citing his home and road splits as reasons he did not steal signs with the Astros.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) January 24, 2020
"He does it the right way," Mainieri said.
How Mainieri found it in himself to defend the Houston third baseman and former college shortstop is beyond comprehension. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence against the Astros that came as a result of a league-initiated investigation.
Trying to point at something as simple as home-road splits to say that Bregman didn't cheat is just sad. It shows that Mainieri flat out refuses to believe the evidence before his own eyes.
“In 2017 Alex Bregman at home hit .278 with 9 HR, away he hit .290 with 10 HR. For me, that’s proof that kid is doing it the right way,” Coach Paul Mainieri on Bregman and the #Astros cheating scandal. #LSU
— Amelia Larroque (@amelialarroque) January 24, 2020
He's staying loyal to one of his former stars, and that's at least a little bit commendable. However, he could have shown his love while still admitting that Bregman benefited from the sign-stealing scheme.
Having one of the most successful managers in college baseball history defend Bregman only sends the message that cheating is acceptable, and that simply shouldn't fly.