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3 Dumbest Comments From Rob Manfred's Press Conference on Astros Sign Stealing

By Sean Facey

Rob Manfred didn't do himself any favors in his Sunday press conference.
Rob Manfred didn't do himself any favors in his Sunday press conference. / Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Few people have come out of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal looking worse than MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. Not only was his punishment of the team far too light, he's also doubled down on his decisions.

But perhaps most damning was his Sunday afternoon press conference in which he issued some absurd statements that made him look like a fool.

3. Upset About Leaked Luhnow Letter

Rob Manfred shouldn't make an enemy of the press.
Rob Manfred shouldn't make an enemy of the press. / Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

Of all the things for him to get upset about, though, this by far and away takes the cake. Yes, that's right, the Commissioner was upset that reporters did their job and spilled the beans on his letter to former Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow. For a man who desperately needs to win over the baseball world, combating the press is a massive miscalculation. This only makes it sound like he's trying to hide things from the public, which reflects poorly on him and the rest of the league office.

2. Unsure About Buzzers

Plenty of people have accused Astros players like Jose Altuve of wearing electronic buzzers.
Plenty of people have accused Astros players like Jose Altuve of wearing electronic buzzers. / Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

There has been plenty speculation as to whether or not the Astros used electronic buzzers to relay signs, and the team's vague statements on the matter have only made it seem more likely that they did. But Manfred really outdid himself by simply saying, "you can never know," in regards to their potential usage of buzzers. How can he even say that with a straight face? This is his league and it was his investigation! If anyone is supposed to know if they used buzzers, it should be him.

1. No Need to Strip World Series Title

Manfred basically reduced the meaning of the World Series to nothing.
Manfred basically reduced the meaning of the World Series to nothing. / Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

In one fell swoop, Manfred somehow reduced the significance of the Commissioner's Trophy to literally nothing. When asked about the possibility of stripping the Astros of their World Series title, he simply said "asking for a piece of metal back seems like a futile idea." This is not just a piece of metal being discussed here. This is an ill-gotten piece of history, something that the Astros were given without earning it. Yes, vacating the World Series would be a bold step, but to simply brush off the ultimate accomplishment in baseball as a simple trophy and nothing more is idiotic.