Astros Executive Brandon Taubman 'Deeply Sorry,' Says Osuna Comments Were 'Misinterpreted'

Astros Assistant GM Brandon Taubman apologizes for his comments on closer Roberto Osuna made to a group of female reporters.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Astros assistant general manager Brandon Taubman released a statement on Tuesday apologizing for his comments on closer Roberto Osuna during Saturday's American League Championships Series celebration in Houston's clubhouse.

"This past Saturday, during our clubhouse celebration, I used inappropriate language for which I am deeply sorry and embarrassed. In retrospect, I realized that my comments were unprofessional and inappropriate," Taubman said in the statement. "My overexuberance in support of a player has been misinterpreted as a demonstration of a regressive attitude about an important social issue. Those that know me know that I am a progressive and charitable member of the community, and a loving and committed husband and father. I hope that those who do not know me understand that the Sports Illustrated article does not reflect who I am or my values. I am sorry if anyone was offended by my actions."

Taubman's statement comes one day after Sports Illustrated's Stephanie Apstein reported Taubman shouted "Thank God we got Osuna! I’m so f------ glad we got Osuna!" at a group of female reporters in the team's clubhouse. 

Multiple other outlets—including the Houston Chronicle and Yahoo! Sports—have corroborated SI's reporting. 

In May 2018, Osuna was arrested on domestic violence charges while playing for the Blue Jays. The charges were dropped but MLB suspended Osuna for 75 games for violating its domestic violence policy. Houston traded for him shortly before his suspension ended.

After the publication of Apstein's story, the Astros released a statement calling it an "attempt to fabricate a story where one does not exist." 

Sports Illustrated said on Tuesday that it "unequivocally stands behind Apstein, her reporting and the story, which was subsequently corroborated by several other media members present at the scene. Any implication that SI or any of its journalists would ‘fabricate’ a story in its detail or intent is both disappointing and completely inexcusable."

Major League Baseball announced it plans to investigate the clubhouse incident reported by Apstein and will interview those involved before commenting further.

"Domestic violence is extraordinarily serious," MLB said, "and everyone in baseball must use care to not engage in any behavior–whether intentional or not–that could be construed as minimizing the egregiousness of an act of domestic violence."