Astros apologize, fire assistant GM Brandon Taubman

WASHINGTON – The Houston Astros fired assistant GM Brandon Taubman on Thursday for directing inappropriate comments at female reporters during a clubhouse celebration, announcing the decision in the middle of the World Series and putting a renewed spotlight on domestic violence in baseball.

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow apologized for the team's initial response Monday, which was to accuse a Sports Illustrated reporter of making up the story.

"That original reaction by the Astros was wrong, and we own it as an organization," Luhnow said during a news conference at Nationals Park, a day before Game 3. Heavily favored Houston lost the first two games at home to NL champion Washington.

"There were many people involved in reviewing that and approving that. And I'm not going to get into the details of that," Luhnow said. "… But regardless of who wrote it and who approved it, it was wrong. It was incorrect. It should never have been sent out."

Taubman had apologized Tuesday for using language that was "unprofessional and inappropriate" in the Astros clubhouse following Saturday night's pennant-clinching victory over the Yankees.

SI reported Taubman repeatedly yelled toward a group of female reporters about closer Roberto Osuna, who was suspended for 75 games last year for violating MLB's domestic violence policy and then was traded from Toronto to the Astros.

After an investigation by MLB and the Astros, Luhnow met with Taubman on Thursday and fired him before the team traveled to Washington.

Houston's initial statement Monday claimed SI tried to "fabricate a story where one does not exist" and maintained Taubman's comments weren't directed at reporters.

"There's nothing about that first statement that was correct or that's defensible," Luhnow said.

Luhnow said Taubman's behavior did not indicate a wider problem on the Astros. "This is not something that's endemic. This is not a cultural issue," he said. "We have a lot of really good people in our front office, in our coaching staff, and our team."

Houston apologized to the SI reporter, the magazine and people who saw the incident, and to those who were offended.

Astros manager AJ Hinch has been critical of Taubman's behavior since the report came out. "I continue to be disappointed and just sorry it happened," Hinch said.