A.J. Hinch finally understands the problem with Astros’ sign-stealing scandal (Video)

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch spoke about the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal during an appearance on MLB Network’s “High Heat” on Tuesday.

The Detroit Tigers were in need of a new manager after Ron Gardenhire retired in 2020, so they opted to sign former Houston Astros skipper A.J. Hinch. The ex-Astros manager was suspended for the entirety of the 2020 season and ultimately fired by the team due to the infamous sign-stealing scandal. While Hinch is experiencing a great deal of success with the Tigers recently, he knows that what went on in Houston will always linger.

During an appearance on MLB Network’s “High Heat” on Tuesday, Hinch said that the scandal that took place in Houston “was wrong” and he knows that he has to address it and own the backlash.

A.J. Hinch understands that he must talk about the sign-stealing scandal

MLB investigated the Astros regarding allegations of sign-stealing, and found that the team placed cameras in the outfield of Minute Maid Park to relay the opposing team’s pitching signals to their player in the batter’s box via a monitor and trash can bangs throughout the 2017 season. Of course, this was the very campaign where the Astros won their first World Series in franchise history.

Hinch, along with general manager Jeff Luhnow, were fired by the Astros after the league announced their suspensions.

Hinch and Luhnow were not the only individuals implicated in the investigation. Alex Cora, former bench coach for the Astros, was suspended for the entire 2020 season after he mutually agreed to part ways with the Boston Red Sox as manager that year, where he returned to the team this past winter. Former Astros player Carlos Beltran stepped down as New York Mets manager two months after accepting the job, when he was named in the league investigation. Beltran was not disciplined by the league.

The Tigers hired Hinch to help lead the team out of their rebuild and into eventual contenders. After a slow start to the season, the Tigers have been on fire since May 8, where they own a 30-22 record. Now, they have a 39-46 overall record and sit in third place in the AL Central as of Tuesday night, just 10.5 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox.

Even though he is on a new team, Hinch knows that the sign stealing scandal will follow him forever. Hence why he said he will continue to talk about it with the media, while also taking the barbs from opposing fans.