‘I’m sorry’ is a shallow apology for Astros’ actions

My favorite is, “It is baseball; everyone steals signs.”
    

Give me a break.
    

If this were the NCAA, the Houston Astros’ 2017 World Series championship would be declared vacant. Check out the video on youtube.com. It is as plain as day. 
    

Houston’s Evan Gattis is batting against Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar. If the catcher signals for a change-up, two smacks against a garbage can alert the hitter. If the catcher signals fastball, there is silence.
    

Fast forward to a morning press conference called by the Astros at their spring training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida. Third baseman Alex Bregman read from a prepared statement.
    

“I am really sorry for the choices made by the team, by the organization and by me,” said Bregman.
    

Dozens of major leaguers have since reacted.
    

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant called the sign-stealing scandal worse than steroids.
    

“This is people’s livelihoods they are messing with,” said Bryant. “(There are) guys who have never pitched in a game since.”
    

One of those is reliever Mike Bolsinger of the Toronto Blue Jays. In a game in Houston, Aug. 4, 2017, Bolsinger was roughed up for four runs on four hits, with three walks, in one-third of an inning. After the outing, he was demoted and has not pitched in the big leagues since. He filed a civil lawsuit against the Astros, claiming unfair business practices.
    

Part of the suit asks for the Astros to forfeit $31 million in bonuses received for winning the World Series. Bolsinger asks that those monies go to children’s charities in Los Angeles.
    

That night, the Astros defeated the Blue Jays, 16-7. It was Houston’s 70th win against 39 defeats.
    

That is what is so perplexing about the entire sign-stealing scandal. The Astros were a great team. They didn’t need to cheat, but they did. And, there may be more to come.
    

I n Game 5 of the American League championship series against the Yankees, Astros second baseman José Altuve hit an Aroldis Chapman breaking ball for a game-winning homer, one that sent Houston to the World Series.

    

As Altuve rounded the bases, he told his teammates near home plate not to rip off his shirt. And, as he’s mobbed by teammates, he tightly grabs his chest.
    

Was there a device inside his shirt that was indicating pitches?
    

Aroldis Chapman is one of the hardest throwers in the history of the game. Yet, there was Altuve, sitting on a breaking ball and hitting it a very long way.
    

In the midst of the apologies, there are plenty of unanswered questions, such as, who exactly knew what?
    

Because of the scandal, three field managers and the Astros’ general manager were fired. Houston was fined $5 million, and the club forfeited first- and second-round draft picks in consecutive years.
    

No player was suspended. They were granted immunity for cooperating in the investigation. But the court of public opinion can be very unforgiving.
 

“I have learned from this, and hope to regain the trust of baseball fans” said Bregman.
    

If only if it were that easy.
    

Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].