Rangers GM rips Astros reporter for 'classless' post about losing division
Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young wasn't pleased with a Houston Astros reporter who suggested the Rangers lost the American League West division title to their state rivals because they celebrated too hard after clinching a postseason berth.
"I find it ridiculous that that's even a subject, honestly. This is the most professional, responsible group of players that I've ever been around. We had a very subdued champagne popping. But beyond that, there was no partying. There was nothing outlandish. These guys had earned the right to pop those champagne bottles. And that was the extent of our celebration," Young said on 105.3 The Fan.
Young's comments were in reference to a social media post made by MLB.com reporter Brian McTaggart on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Rangers partied last night while the Astros had a champagne toast and quickly turned their attention to Sunday and one more win. Houston's "been-there, done-that" mentality paid off, it seems.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 1, 2023
It’s 100’percent. Rangers partied after Saturday’s win. There’s pictures. Astros didn’t party Saturday.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 2, 2023
"It had no impact whatsoever on Sunday's game," Young said of the Rangers' celebrations. "And it's really pretty poor journalism to even suggest that, honestly. I'm very disappointed in the lack of professionalism of the Houston journalists for putting that out there. It's classless. It's not appropriate, and it's completely fabricated. It's wrong."
McTaggart's post immediately caught the attention of Dallas Morning News reporter Evan Grant, who called the reporting "inaccurate."
McTaggart clarified the situation Tuesday after Young's interview.
A post of mine on Sunday has become a story of its own. I should clarify that I was not in the Rangers' clubhouse Saturday night and should not have indirectly suggested that their celebration impacted their performance on Sunday.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 3, 2023
The Rangers were in first place in the AL West for the majority of the regular season. Still, they lost the top spot on the final day of the campaign after a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners and an 8-1 victory for the Astros over the Arizona Diamondbacks.