Well, here we are at the end of the baseball season. Wednesday night is the final game of the 2019 season with Game 7 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros. In preparation for that, let’s check out headlines from all over baseball.
Mad Max Returns
The Nationals got a tough break in Game 5 of the World Series when Max Scherzer had to be scratched a few hours before game time because of neck spasms he said were so bad that he couldn’t dress himself. However, a few days later, Scherzer is apparently healthy enough to get the start in Game 7.
He briefly warmed up in the bullpen during the late innings of Game 6 but wasn’t brought into the game. Now the Nationals will get their ace on the hill for Game 7, which could make the whole ordeal worthwhile if Scherzer is healthy and can pitch a gem against the Astros.
Total Rebuild
While the playoffs have been going on, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been tearing down their organization from the inside, parting ways with manager Clint Hurdle and president Frank Coonelly. This past week, they completed the trifecta by firing general manager Neal Huntington. The order in which the Pirates parted ways with those three was a little unusual, but it represents a massive overhaul of the entire organization, as Pirates chairman Bob Nutting cut ties with the club’s three most important decision-makers.
Meanwhile, the rebuilding effort has started with the team hiring Travis Williams as the new president. Williams previously served as the chief operating officer for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Of course, since they didn’t fire Huntington until a month after the season, the Pirates will have to put their managerial search on hold and find a new GM first.
Final Apology
With a front-office controversy distracting from his team’s participation in the World Series, Astros owner Jim Crane tried to put the issue involving now-former assistant GM Brandon Taubman to rest by issuing a written apology to Sports Illustrated reporter Stephanie Apstein after the club questioned her reporting.
Apstein reported that during the team’s American League Championship Series celebration, Taubman directed his praise for closer Roberto Osuna, who was arrested for domestic violence last year, toward a group of female reporters, including one who was wearing a purple ring to raise awareness for domestic violence. The Astros initially said the report was fabricated but have since walked back that stance and fired Taubman.
“We were wrong, and I am sorry that we initially questioned your professionalism,” Crane wrote in his apology. “We retract that statement, and I assure you that the Houston Astros will learn from this experience.”
Cruz Control
The Twins are officially welcoming back designated hitter Nelson Cruz for the 2020 season, picking up his $12 million option for next season. Cruz was an important part of Minnesota’s powerful lineup, leading the team with 41 home runs and 108 RBI while also hitting .311. He will turn 40 next July but showed no signs of slowing down with his production this season.
