The Houston Astros have had a whirlwind week. Days before losing the World Series to the Washington Nationals, the team fired their assistant general manager Brandon Tabuman after he lashed out at a female reporter. Taubman was conducting interviews following the Astros winning game to catch a berth in the World Series when he yelled, at a group of all female reporters, “Thank God we got Osuna! I’m so [effin’] glad we got Osuna!” Robert Osuna, a recently traded pitcher, was suspended for 75 games last season after violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. While criminal charges were dropped, as the woman decided not to press charges, the severity of Osuna’s actions cannot be overlooked because he is a talented player.
Now that the baseball season has come to a close, the Astros need to seriously reevaluate their priorities. Not only did Taubman lash out in a room dominated by female reporters, but the woman he yelled at was wearing a domestic violence awareness bracelet. The ignorance and lack of empathy surrounding such a triggering social issue is shameful of the team, Taubman and Osuna. The MLB may have a zero tolerance policy regarding domestic violence, but the Astros seem to have complete disregard and disrespect for it. Where is the justification that you can overlook the severity of domestic violence charges so you can gain a pitcher that only disappoints?
Between Taubman violently yelling at the female reporter and Osuna being allowed to continue his professional career, the Astros seem to only care about the zero-tolerance domestic violence policy when it does not infringe upon their chances of winning the World Series. There can be a zero-tolerance policy for the Astros, but maybe it only applies during the off season when it won’t infringe upon their players’ practice times. The Houston Astros have shown a kind of ignorance and disrespect to all victims of domestic violence by allowing Osuna to parade around in his jersey without any care for his actions. Domestic violence victims are haunted daily by the trauma they endured, and Osuna’s greatest worry is being able to throw a pitch. The MLB and the Astros need to fully stand by their zero tolerance policy.
To all domestic violence survivors, the Astros may not hear your voice, but others do. There is no justification for what has happened and the only fault is on the perpetrator. You are strong. You are brave. You are valued.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Leave a Reply