Houston Astros owner Jim Crane doesn't think the sign-stealing scandal rocking his franchise has delegitimized the club's 2017 World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I don’t think it taints (the title)” Jim Crane said. #Astros pic.twitter.com/BYiokxFHVk
— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) January 13, 2020
Crane explained the team had been competitive for a number of years prior to 2017, and that the scandal does not define Houston's success. It was the first, and only, championship in franchise history.
He also fired general manager Jeff Luhnow and skipper AJ Hinch on Monday after the league suspended each for one year following its investigation into the sign-stealing allegations that dated back to 2017.
Additionally, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora - a bench coach with the Astros in 2017 - was also implicated. He won the Fall Classic in his first season with the Red Sox in 2018, also against the Dodgers. Cora is facing discipline from MLB, though nothing has been announced yet.
On Monday, Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger said he and his teammates were waiting to see the fallout from the scandal.
"It sucks, man," Bellinger said. "We were close, but we did it the right way."