WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. _ The Astros needed those trash cans Thursday at their spring training complex. Not for banging this time, but to dispose of the crumpled-up scripts that contained their well-practiced apologies, from team owner Jim Crane to the handful of players who spoke in the clubhouse.
The much-anticipated affair came off as a stiffly choreographed event put on for the roughly 100 media members in attendance. The part that was broadcast live from a sunny patch of grass just outside the Astros' clubhouse door probably was the worst of it, as Crane kicked off Mea Culpa Morning in awkward fashion.
"These are a great group of guys who did not receive proper guidance from their leaders," Crane said. "We cannot change the actions of the past, but we are fully committed to moving forward in the right way."
