Osuna deal shows Astros gaining tolerance for assaulting women
Astros trade for Osuna, a talented closer tainted by domestic violence
Jeff Luhnow, general manager of the world-champion Houston Astros, has publicly established a “zero tolerance policy” on ballplayers assaulting women. But when he saw an opportunity to rebuild the back end of his bullpen, he clarified his position. He meant zero tolerance for players in the Astros organization, second chances for those who are not. So as the nonwaiver trade deadline approached, he welcomed Roberto Osuna, who’s in the final days of a 75-game suspension for domestic violence. The Astros gave up volatile – but unindicted — closer Ken Giles and two pitching prospects, Hector Perez and David Paulino, for Osuna, 23, one of the best closers in the big leagues ever since his debut in 2015. Luhnow said the due diligence his sleuths did on Osuna was “unprecedented.” Osuna is scheduled to appear in court in Toronto on Wednesday, where he will plead not guilty to assault. Luhow said, “We’re confident that Osuna is remorseful,” which of course implies guilt. ESPN’s Buster Olney, among the most respected baseball writers, called it “appalling” that Luhnow tossed out family values while seeking value on the diamond. Among those who seemed unhappy with the transaction was Astros ace Justin Verlander, who’s tweeted against individual players – including those in Houston’s farm system – who assault women. “Obviously I’ve said some inflammatory things about stuff like this in the past,” Verlander said when asked about Osuna. “I stand by those words.” The Astros called a team meeting, subject of which, Verlander said, was “keeping a winning mindset and not letting distractions get in the way.” Luhnow, who’s not prone to recklessness, brought distraction that Woody Paige on Around the Horn called “a ridiculous move. They screwed up the entire clubhouse.”
Between the Lines: In baseball terms, Osuna is a coup for Houston, which has control of his contract for two more seasons after this one. Long term, who knows what the effect will be? The city dearly loves the Astros for their consistent effort and poise and their always appropriate public behavior.
Dez rants about ‘clueless’ Jerry Jones and Garrett’s ‘garbage’ play-calling
The Pittsburgh Steelers are considering offering a contract to Dez Bryant, who was cut by the Dallas Cowboys after he’d played eight years for them. But the former All-Pro receiver (in 2014) seemed almost unhinged with his social media tirade against “clueless” owner Jerry Jones, executive VP Stephen Jones, coach Jason Garrett and Pro Bowl linebacker “Snake Lee, I mean Sean Lee.” Stephen Jones enraged Bryant with a SiriusXM NFL radio comment about him and Jason Witten being constantly “in the ear” of Dak Prescott, lobbying for the ball. “Here we go with the scapegoat shit,” Bryant posted but soon deleted. “Y’all know what the real problem is. Don’t put it on me with that bullshit . . . garbage ass play-calling. . . . everybody lined up in the same spot for 17 weeks.”
Dear Dez: Right about the Cowboys’ lack of scheme, but the Steelers and other teams see you as a serial distractor. You won’t be happy as No. 3 WR behind Antonio Brown and Ju Ju Smith-Schuster. And you won’t keep quiet about it.
Brady walks off when reporter connects his personal trainer Guerrero to Edelman PEDs
When Patriots receiver Julian Edelman was suspended four games for using performance-enhancing drugs, some reporters wondered if the banned dietary supplements had been supplied or recommended by Alex Guerrero, personal trainer, friend and business associate of QB Tom Brady. “That’s ridiculous,” Brady said. “I’m out.” And then he stomped off the team’s podium at training camp. Los Angeles Times columnist J.A. Adande said on ESPN’s Around the Horn: “Brady should be aware that if you’re going to publicize your training regimen . . . and you’re trying to make money off that, you have to be willing to take the questions when your trainer is linked to a player who’s suspended for taking performance-enhancing drugs.” Other national journalists saw Brady’s dodge as an indication of his friend’s malfeasance.
Between the Lines: Guerrero is driving a wedge between Brady and Bill Belichick. The coach has tried to minimize Guerrero’s influence over Patriots players. Clinton Yates on Around the Horn said, “This is going to be presumably a season of turmoil for the Pats if, this early in the season, they can’t find a way to answer questions about very viable news.”
Harbaugh advises player to avoid chicken ‘because it’s a nervous animal’
Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh has some unusual dietary recommendations. One of his former players, Wilton Speight, told Bleacher Report that he told him to avoid eating chicken: “He thinks some type of sickness injected itself into the human population when people began eating white meats instead of beef and pork. He believes it 100 percent.”
Bears want Roquan Smith’s contract to return money if he’s suspended for an illegal hit
The Chicago Bears have not signed their first-round draft pick, Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith, and coach Matt Nagy said the reason for the impasse is the new helmet rule that will produce penalties, ejections, fines and/or suspensions for players who lower their helmets to initiate contact with opponents. As an inside linebacker Smith plays a position that’s certain to be involved in helmet controversies. If he were to incur, say, a 4-game suspension, the Bears want to reserve the right to void his guarantees prorated for the time suspended.
Dear Bears: You can’t blame Smith for holding out against a practice that could severely damage the financial security of hundreds of players. The teams are looking for ways to escape financial obligations for players they no longer want.
NFL muzzles Jerry Jones on anthem, belatedly tries for agreement with Players Association
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will not allow his players to kneel when the national anthem plays. His standing orders are clear. He’s outspoken about just about everything, but this week he’s suddenly clammed up. He told reporters at the Cowboys’ camp in Oxnard, Calif., that the NFL office has forbidden him from speaking about anthem policy. In a long overdue attempt to work with the Players Association to permit freedom of expression while maintaining respect for the flag, Commissioner Roger Goodell does not want the individual teams determining anthem policy. Jones is clearly a divisive figure, and Goodell wants to keep him from disturbing what peace there is between the league and the union. Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, who has led NFL players in protesting police brutality and judicial injustice, said Jones tries to prevent “even the idea of his players thinking individually or having a voice about issues that affect their communities daily, which is unfortunate.”
MLB reeling from racist tweets from years back by three current players
Major League Baseball has a shameful history of bigotry, exemplified by iconic commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Kentucky segregationist. This ugly tradition has been on display recently, with three players in one month apologizing for bigoted tweets they made as teenagers. Washington shortstop Trea Turner, 25, said, “There is no excuse for my insensitive and offensive language on Twitter.” His 7-year-old tweets were posted by a Twitter account holder who cited similar hateful tweets by Atlanta pitcher Sean Newcomb when he was 18. One of his tweets included a racial slur in a rap song. Newcomb apologized and will undergo sensitivity training. Milwaukee’s All-Star pitcher Josh Hader apologized for extolling the KKK and making gay slurs at 17. Milwaukee was satisfied, perhaps overly so, awarding him a standing ovation in his next appearance after his apology. Mike Wilbon, co-host of Pardon the Interruption, warns of overreaction to words ill-chosen but not necessarily hateful in their intent. “When they’re quoting rap lyrics, I look at it and say, ‘This is stupid, you shouldn’t be doing this.’ But I’m not ready to suspend anybody . . . I’m more concerned about Colin Kaepernick not having a job. I’m an angry black man. Wanna suspend me?” PTI’s other co-host, Tony Kornheiser, considers youth an excuse but feels 18-year-old college students such as Turner and Newcomb should have outgrown hateful attitudes. Give Kornheiser credit for context: “When we were young, and we hung out with friends, we said all these words, used all the prejudices that were out there, and went home confident there was no Internet.”
Between the Lines: Commissioner Rob Manfred is encouraging the ballplayers to “engage with social media.” But many of them do not have the communication skills to present themselves in an attractive manner.