When MLB commissioner Rob Manfred discussed his punishment for the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme in February 2020, he took a moment to address the more abstract consequences, and how long they might last.
“I think if you look at the faces of the Houston players as they went out there publicly addressing this issue, they have been hurt by this. They will live with questions about what went on in 2017 and 2018 for the rest of their lives,” Manfred said at the press conference. “And frankly it’s rare … for any offense to have any punishment that you have to live with for the rest of your life.”
The last two seasons have seen their share of heckles and boos and skeptical looks for former Astros. But it will not be until later this year that the questions, the rest-of-your-life questions, will really begin to take shape—when Carlos Beltrán is on the ballot for the Hall of the Fame.
