BREAKING: Astros fire assistant general manager Brandon Taubman after gloating to female reporters about pitcher the team acquired who was accused of domestic violence
- The Houston Astros have fired assistant general manager Brandon Taubman
- According to a story by Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein, Taubman turned to three females and repeatedly shouted: ‘Thank God we got Osuna!’
- Roberto Osuna is a relief pitcher who was acquired by the Astros after serving a 75-game suspension for domestic violence. He was never charged in the case
- After first declining to comment on SI’s story, the Astros responded following its publication, describing the report as ‘misleading and completely irresponsible’
- Several other reporters who were in the clubhouse at the time said the report is accurate. A separate Houston Chronicle story has been confirmed by witnesses
- An Astros staffer reportedly apologized to the women after Taubman’s outburst
- Taubman has since apologized, but maintains his words were misinterpreted MLB has stated it will launch an investigation into the accusations
The Houston Astros have fired embattled assistant general manager Brandon Taubman after he allegedly gloated to three female reporters about the acquisition of pitcher Robert Osuna, who recently served a 75-game suspension for domestic violence.
According to a story by Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein, Taubman turned to three females, one of whom was wearing a purple bracelet for domestic violence awareness, and shouted: ‘Thank God we got Osuna! I’m so f***ing glad we got Osuna!’
Taubman repeated himself about a half dozen times, according to the report. Apstein wrote that ‘the outburst was frightening and offensive enough that another Houston staffer apologized.’
According to a story by Sports Illustrated’s Stephanie Apstein (left), now-former Astros assistant GM Brandon Taubman (right) turned to three females in the clubhouse after clinching the pennant, shouting: ‘Thank God we got Osuna! I’m so f***ing glad we got Osuna!’
Roberto Osuna allegedly assaulted the mother of his son in May of 2018. The woman returned to her native Mexico shortly after and charges were never filed by Toronto prosecutors against Osuna, who was a member of the Blue Jays at the time. After serving his 75-game suspension, Osuna was traded to Houston in July of 2018 and subsequently led the American League with 38 saves and an impressive 2.62 earned-run average in 2019. Apstein detailed the domestic abuse allegations after covering Game 6 of the AL Championship Series and heading to the raucous Houston locker room afterward
On Tuesday Major League Baseball announced it would investigate the accusations.
After first declining to comment on SI’s story, the Astros responded after it was published Monday night, describing the reporting as ‘misleading and completely irresponsible.’
Taubman has since apologized, but maintains his words were misinterpreted.
However, several other reporters who were in the clubhouse at the time said the original report is accurate.