What the Houston Astros Could Teach Us About Apology

You don't have to be a baseball fan to have an opinion about the soap opera known as the Houston Astros.  The 2017 version of the team -- which won the World Series -- concocted an elaborate scheme using video-taping equipment and banging garbage cans to steal signs and alert their batters to what type of pitch (fastball, curve ball, etc?) was headed home --- all very illegal. The boys from Space City cheated...no different than athletes using performance enhancing drugs (Lance Armstrong, Russian Olympic athletes, etc).  It was all about getting an unfair advantage.  Numerous big-name players (Judge, Stanton, Trout, etc) have recently gone on the record saying that illegally stealing signs did indeed provide an unfair advantage (Stanton claims he could have shattered the single season home run record with such illicit information) and the Astros did not earn the 2017 World Championship.   

This week the Astros went on the PR blitz, and failed...miserably.  Astros Owner Jim Crane said "sorry," but, no, their World Series title was legitimate because stealing signs may not have helped his team anyway and the Astros are ready to move forward so why isn't everyone else??  A couple of his players were more contrite admitting they made major mistakes by participating in the scheme, but the team's shortstop (Carlos Correa) then blasted critics for questioning the legitimacy of their 2017 accolades.  Sorry didn't work in this case, because it was "sorry we got caught but we're keeping our booty anyway."  The Astros literally threw gasoline on the fire....boom!

Why Major League Baseball has not stripped the title and suspended the team from the 2020 post-season is a mystery.  Bronx Bomber Aaron Judge correctly pointed out if you cheat in the Olympics they strip the medals.  Lance Armstrong lost his racing trophies for doping.  Even the much-maligned NCAA will negate titles and force teams to vacate wins tainted by scandal (see Louisville men's basketball and Penn State football).  

This is going to get ugly, quickly.  MLB players are going to retaliate....watch for the Astros to be thrown at in the batter's box and mauled on the base paths during the 2020 season (and beyond).  Lawsuits are being filed while revenue (tickets sales, merchandise, advertising, etc) will be severely depressed for years.  The long-term competitiveness of the Astros will likely suffer as well...what free agent or high value trade target is going to want to play for the team?  Heck, a Little League in California just banned their teams from using the name "Astros."  Moreover, the careers of the players on the 2017 team will likely be curtained and possibly be ruined...unless there is an authentic apology. 

The Astros and their players have to ask themselves why do they want the title anymore?  Seriously.  Are they really proud of it at this point?  What emotional damage is being done to the franchise and the players? Could hanging onto the title and the individual awards actually cripple the franchise and the careers of the Astros players?   

The Astros need to truly apologize, which means voluntarily surrendering the World Series trophy and their rings.  Individual accolades such as the 2017 American League MVP award for Astros' second baseman Jose Altuve must also be relinquished.  Players should donate their playoff bonus money to youth sports charities, and the franchise should do something similar with their financial haul from the 2017 season.  Moreover, the Astros should voluntarily remove themselves from the post-season for this year and possibly next.  Finally, the players and the team could produce educational content for youth sports about the importance of playing by the rules, and describing the bad things that happen when you don't.   

The Astros need to forget about words like "sorry" and "mistake" and show real contrition, and then ask for forgiveness. America is a very forgiving country, but you first have to be vulnerable.  

We learn so much from our mistakes and ethical lapses.  Sometimes we can learn even more by watching other people screw up.  For Sorry Works! readers, the Houston Astros are exhibit A in what not to do in the face of scandal.  Hopefully, there is another chapter in this story and the Astros can provide a powerful example of how to truly apologize.  

Sincerely,

- Doug

Doug Wojcieszak, Founder and President
Sorry Works!
618-559-8168 (direct dial) 
doug@sorryworks.net