Rob Manfred Regrets Giving Players Immunity In 2017 Astros Scandal

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he regrets certain aspects of the league’s investigation into the 2017 Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal and said he would have done it differently if given another chance. Chief among his criticisms was his decision to grant players immunity prior to the investigation.

“I’m not sure that I would have approached it with giving players immunity,” Manfred told Time’s Sean Gregory in an interview. “Once we gave players immunity, it puts you in a box as to what exactly you were going to do in terms of punishment.”

Manfred went on to say that the league could have conducted a thorough investigation without granting immunity to all players, and that withholding it for a time may have been the better decision.

“I might have gone about the investigative process without that grant of immunity and see where it takes us,” Manfred said. “Starting with, I’m not going to punish anybody, maybe not my best decision ever.”

Manfred has faced routine criticism for most of his tenure as MLB commissioner, most recently for his treatment of the Oakland Athletics as owner John Fisher tries to move the team to Las Vegas.

The Astros cheating scandal, however, has always been a particular sore point for Manfred because of its lasting impact on the sport. During a 2020 interview with ESPN, he referred to the World Series trophy as “a piece of metal” in an attempt to quell criticism for what some considered a weak punishment for Houston’s organization.

“I mean, if I could take back the rather flip comment I made about the World Series trophy at one time, I’d take that one back,” Manfred said. “There have been times, particularly in times of pressure, when I look back, taking a little more time might have led to a different outcome.”

Manfred will complete his second five-year term as commissioner in 2024 and will be eligible to continue in the role with another vote from all 30 MLB owners when the time comes.