MLB Network's exclusive interview with A.J. Hinch

Former Astros manager A.J. Hinch discusses the 2017 Astros, the subsequent investigation, and his baseball future with Tom Verducci in an exclusive interview on MLB Tonight.

[@brookeelle5687]

there’s absolutely no reason as to why he couldn’t have had a serious team meeting and shut the whole thing down. he’s the manager. that’s his job. and he didn’t do it..

[@paulpiazza3748]

Great point. It was his job to shut it down. He didn't do his job plain and simple. Why would anyone want to hire him again?

[@DC_08]

Brooke Elle Exactly. He behaved like he had no control over the situation at all. He was the manager!

[@chris00nj]

He was the manager but remember he was a young guy barely a few years older than a lot of the players. So tou worry that if you come down too hard then go to war with your bench coach and team. That's not a good spot for a manager. He's not Earl Weaver who can rule the clubhouse with an iron fist and still be respected. Yes, the right thing to do IS to confront your players but also realize that it is hard to do. Anyone who thinks it would be easy has never had to make hard leadership decisions

[@paulpiazza3748]

@@chris00nj please stop. Ieaders make the tough call. They don't turn a blind eye. They very word leader means to show the way. What did he show? Nothing. He let others run is team behind his back? Come on guy....

[@paulpiazza3748]

@Denise Miller I was replying to Chris's post. If you can't follow along fold up the tent.

[@ayezz2811]

“Did you use buzzers?” “The commissioner did his report and nothing was found and I believe them.” (Paraphrased) Bro that’s a yes or no question 😂

[@Superduperreverb]

• Ayezz • that answer confirmed that they did use buzzers. Otherwise he would’ve given an unequivocal “No”.

[@ayezz2811]

Bill Bradski Facts

[@baileysmith4744]

• Ayezz •, he answered no

[@italiangoodfellas8962]

It definitely is and thsts y i belthey did

[@cem2756]

Idiot Yankee fans

[@scubaseball12]

Definitely used buzzers. He literally avoided the question. It’s yes or no.

[@Walter-lk7ep]

@ Zach did you hear his voice how it changes it sounded the same way how it sounded after the ALCS interview against NY what a joke a lier point blank your Guilty there is no way around this !

[@mtbness5028]

walter arocha totally- complete BS! At 15:10: ‘I believed what we were doing…’ blah blah blah. If he’s the leader he’s trying to portray, his interview is totally different. Sad to think a great opportunity for AJ to put himself in a better light ended up with pure PR spin…

[@jackman9035]

MTb Ness u such a hater smh This was started by the front office! He couldn’t of stopped it! I lowkey respect that he didn’t throw his guys under the bus! Like the front office did to him smh

[@joeriley5099]

Jack man oh god forbid someone get hated for being a lying cheat

[@swissbeats2k]

Exactly

[@cancelanime1507]

Dang I’m surprised the comments aren’t disabled

[@salvadorpena4151]

Anakin Skywalker May the force be with you

[@eclectica1]

Hahaha. EXACTLY what I was thinking.

[@Summithockeyc20]

MLB doesn't do the tech game well unless it has to do with Cheating lol

[@jessejames8774]

Yea at least they aren't being chickenshits about it

[@jerrygomezjr601]

They didn't turn off the comments you know why ??? Because mlb knows a lot of folks are mad and are gonna comment and views more money in there pockets plan and simple so they know what there doing and that's robbing us folks like always ....

[@Spicy_Guava]

Clearly MLB helping AJ to clear his name. I didn’t hear a question on when did it stop? He wasn't clear with his answer when he was asked about wearable devices. He could it said ”No that didn't happen” instead he when around the bush.

[@kidk3820]

Alex Gonzalez i totally agree. i feel like he is genuinely remorseful but i do think he could of been more informative on the “buzzers” question. at the end of the day though he could of put an end to it instead of breaking a monitor or two out of anger. that clearly didn’t make a difference.

[@blakecheboygan]

He doesn’t really address the won the World Series while cheating.

[@YourSelfDefenseShop]

Bone apple tea

[@frankderudder7290]

He was very evasive on a few questions EXSP about the buzzers he didnt say no he said what bregman BASICALLY said the league looked INTO that!! No matter if the players come clean or not in my OPINION all they achieved is tainted!!

[@TheFruitney]

@@kidk3820 Why does that even matter? He just got suspended for a year and publicly fired. He loses a lot of money and has embarrassed himself and his family. What more do you want? Even if they used buzzers, it doesn't change the suspension. His role was still the same. he didn't perpetuate it but he also didn't stop it.

[@blakecheboygan]

He danced around a few questions and it doesn’t show Verducci pushing back much if at all at the dancing around. Seems like this was to help the man feel better and help his future instead of getting real answers to hard questions.

[@andrewbees9780]

LOL I like how they’re all playing the victim 😂

[@JohnjOcampo]

Easy enough when the organization that he cheated is protecting them lmaooo i mean honestly MLB just became a joke but those billions aint going to stop flowing thanks to them throwing this under the rug and allowing cheaters to be ready for day one of the 2020 season 😂😂 im in disgust.

[@JustMeELC]

John Ocampo Best we can do is not let this just fade away like mlb hopes!

[@sloebone7399]

And still clearly covering up the extent of the cheating. Either come clean now or don’t bother talking. We’ve heard enough lies.

[@msvisualize]

Stupid is what stupid does

[@msvisualize]

@@JustMeELC Many a angry teams be.

[@guccidan719]

17:00 wow must have the same PR agent as bregman "The commissioner did his report" Translates to "The commissioner did his job of sweeping it under the rug as best as possible"

[@bv6377]

"and we are overjoyed on the inside that the entire roster is unaffected by our bastardly cheating"

[@KevinSun242]

Stealing a quote from a comment on Jomboy's video: "OJ, did you kill your wife?" "The jury said I didn't and I believe them."

[@bpeav4347]

KevinSun242 😂that made me laugh thank you🤘

[@Alex-nh6oo]

Exactly. Astros suck for this, but MLB is the worst of all. Took Jomboy for them to finally do something.

[@javtimestwo]

@dl-well said. the commish knows more and he's protecting the game against the public so that we are forced to buy $15 beers and $15 popcorn and $40 to park, etc...DISGUSTING!

[@aa697]

He ducked and dodged bobbed and weaved all the critical questions.

[@kmills62]

what did you want. would you besatisfiedif he shot himself on camera? Obviouly you didnt listen closely. not sure what kind of questions he didnt answer.

[@jarrodsowell8478]

I'm kinda torn here. On one hand, he definitely seemed genuine and willing to accept responsibility for his lack of action. But on the other hand, he absolutely dodged some questions. When asked about whether or not players were wearing buzzers, he said the team was investigated by MLB and he believed their findings. That was a political answer. He basically said "they couldn't prove anything so I'm not admitting anything". He also dodged the question about why he didn't do more to stop the cheating when it was happening. His answer was "I wish I had". Really?! That's your answer?! How about saying something like "We were winning so I chose to look the other way". Everyone knows that's what happened. And admitting it would go a long way towards gaining back some of the respect he has lost.

[@JustMeELC]

@@jarrodsowell8478 He is sincerely sorry they got caught & was suprised he got fired. Other than that anything he said was nothing more than not wanting to be blackballed from future jobs in the game! Can't believe a word they say! Go back & listen to his arrogant responses to being accused of cheating when they hadn't been caught yet lol. Also get ready for more bs pr ugh. After Altuve & Bregmans disgraceful smug show of zero remorse & trying to spin themselves as underdogs/victims the owner has said he is forcing the players to apologize at spring training. Too little Too late! Forced apologies are no apology! They blew it... alittle contrition would have gone a long way! I don't see this ever going away now!

[@JustMeELC]

@@jesseclaborn749 mlb needs to do a REAL investigation since they have shown no real remorse until forced!

[@jewswhoswingssnakes923]

elc This guy is a BS artist

[@johnsandoval8685]

This interview hit me hard. I feel like I have to get this off my chest even if no one reads it. Im a huge Astros fan. How huge? I was Minute Maids site security supervisor for 3 years when Crane had just bought the team. I was there for the 100 loss seasons and empty stadium ballgames. We LITERALLY could not give tickets away. I even had a conversation with Luhnow on the main concourse when they had just cut Carlos Lee and we talked about how the next few years were going to be tough while they invested in developing unheard of players. Ive escorted Jim Crane to and from meetings at George R. Brown and Dynamo Stadium and have conversated with him privately. I know every nook and cranny of MMP and I loved being there every day. When I started drilling oil wells I moved into an apartment directly across the park so I could WALK to the games and see the stadium every day. I loved the team, the crowd, the stadium, I loved it all. To a die hard Astros fan, AJ Hinch was untouchable. He was the epitome of honesty and work. Everyone in Houston loved and trusted him. I respect immensely the fact he did this on camera but I absolutely hated how he dodged the tough questions. I will never look at the 2017 World Series team in a serious light again. "Cheat" isnt even a strong enough word for what they did. They affected players, coaches and families of opposing teams, but worst of all tainted the game by doing this. Hes right, they have some of the best players in baseball on that team (most of whom I met and got to know), but for the rest of their careers theyll be known as cheaters. In baseball thats the worst thing you can be. I love baseball because of the integrity, the respect, the history, the discipline of the players and the game itself. I think they got off too lightly, honestly. I think the players should have been banned in accordance with their participation. But they'll be back on the field this year with a slap on the wrist and that pisses me off. This interview was just AJ trying to save face for the 2021 season and I hated it. This will follow him wherever he goes and I wouldn't be surprised if he ever DID get hired again he would get boo'd everytime he showed his face, just as I expect the Astros will every away game and probably home games. I love the Astros but I love the game of baseball more. I'll be watching this season, but not in the ballpark like I used to and I expect other fans will do the same.

[@AZSoonerfan]

John Sandoval as a Dodgers fan good to hear someone that’s a fan or associated with the team admit what all of baseball knows to be true . Maybe Jim Crane can hire you as you’d be the only honest person in the organization

[@johnsandoval8685]

@@AZSoonerfan its hard as a fan to admit your team is in the wrong. Especially watching them as a kid then being able to take part of that team in a small way. Ive already seen Astros fans sticking to their guns and saying "f*** everybody, Astros forever" or dumb things like that and I get that mentality, but its wrong. Like I said above I literally moved my wife to downtown Houston so I could be closer to the team. As a real fan Ill admit my team screwed up big time, and be prepared for the hellstorm thats going to come in the upcoming years. Im ASHAMED the 2017 team scandal is being compared with the 1919 Black Sox scandal and any true baseball fan would be also. Im also upset that as a fan of the Astros I can admit all this but the team and coaches that I admired still refuse to. Just because you love a team doesnt mean you always agree with what they do. Im just one person with an opinion and a KZbin account when its all said and done though.

[@stevenewsom3269]

Despite this ugly situation, perhaps the future of baseball is still bright with fans and employees like you John. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@loelco8162]

WeekendTheory ok goober

[@loelco8162]

Ok Goober

[@cinthyatamayo2509]

He cheated us in this interview

[@TheFruitney]

He cheated "us"? did you pay money to watch this? Did you place a bet?

[@juniorcornejo7715]

Abe Hassan-Froman Please tell us were you just born this way or were you dropped or are you just simply the product of a crack baby!?

[@TheQANinja]

@@juniorcornejo7715 lmfaoooooo!!😂😂😂💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@louiedangelo3843]

@@juniorcornejo7715 hes a arab enough said.

[@Erick-zb7xv]

junior cornejo a crack baby 🤣😂

[@aw7049]

He’s still lying. His body language betrays him.

[@bobheck7303]

Completely.

[@stevenewsom3269]

💯

[@TREK1305]

I picked up on that. Often as he speaks he's shaking his head saying no

[@straycat69jr]

@Vincent Cuttolo Easy Astros fan. He's lying and the entire Astros team are a bunch of cheats. It's ok that you can't accept that. Altuve and Bregman should be banned from baseball as well but somehow they're saved from the MLBPA from any consequences. You're an idiot for defending this team. They fucked up, you need to realize that.

[@punkem733]

His body language was the same when he was asked about sign stealing last Oct.

[@O_C293]

Hurts to see him..really hurts to be a fan and will be a while until I can fully support the Astros again. Even I'm ashamed and won't be wearing their gear for a minute. Not every Astros fan is proud of it. Know that.

[@seanyager3177]

Agreed. I feel like I literally had the joy of that 2017 victory ripped out of my soul... Its been very difficult. Obviously im not thinking about it all the time but when I do it hurts. Deeply...

[@michaellong3836]

Waited 41 years to see the Houston Astros win the World Series, and now the title is forever tainted. They'll be talking about the scandal 100 years from now.

[@John-nk3ej]

@@michaellong3836 yep. lifelong whitesox fan hear never dies. i really feel for you guys, i hope you guys got some satisfaction this year at least

[@michaellong3836]

@@John-nk3ej Yes, this Astros fan is satisfied. My guys have redeemed themselves by winning the 2022 World Series. This title is legit. As for the haters who won't let 2017 go, let them boo. It only motivates the Astros to win.

[@blakeboales4496]

Well. Like they say. If you ain't cheatin u ain't tryin🤷‍♂️

[@Ryanhatesports]

His voice cracks every time he lies

[@straycat69jr]

@Vincent Cuttolo haha you fucking cry baby! You're literally posting on every single comment defending this liar. Unbelievable. You're just as sad as Hinch!

[@Arcturian1111]

True. Lol

[@davis2805]

He’s only sorry he got caught. What a joke of a “leader” and a joke of a manager.

[@dhernandez113]

You're an idiot!

[@larrywatson30]

Your just jealous he’s the greatest mlb manager of all time

[@jaxonscardcollection6613]

There is no way he the is the greatest mlb manager because he used buzzers to get them to the world series in 2017 that should have gone to the Los Angeles dodgers

[@macanthonyonyirimba3096]

Jaxon Coble you have proof of that

[@azn2xcbbjai]

Question: "Why not step in then and say 'guys knock it off'" Answer: "I really wish I would have" Truthful answer: "Cuz we were winning, and me and my guys were gonna make tons of money if we kept winning"

[@DaneBryantFrazier]

16:44 It's a yes or no question.

[@cheechoo98]

it's very telling when someone answers the way he answered that... hiding yet again

[@mikayocc]

14:53 + 17:18 His voice cracks both times he's lying.

[@aidanblair7934]

@@mikayocc I noticed that tell too

[@fse2520]

Bag of shit. He’s a bullshit artist. Didn’t answer the yes or no question and voice cracked. They were wearing buzzers. Altuve would not have guessed a not so good slider against a flamethrower with a great slider. The buzzer was obviously there considering what he said afterwards, Hinch and the entire team don’t know how to be men and admit it.

[@ConsciousChris]

I thought this was baseball, not softball...

[@CODBEAST933]

CC Baseball nice burn.

[@bpeav4347]

J Jordan 😂

[@ricktemmen6272]

The MLB Network is part of the gang and they've circled the wagons. Softball interview. A real joke.

[@vashthestampede11]

AJ Hinch just proved to everyone that the Astros were using buzzers with his non-answer.

[@mrhollywood1589]

No denial. He can't say he didn't know

[@louiedangelo3843]

Need to get "mad dog" russo to interview this cheater.

[@jackpeters5608]

Verducci has lost a lot of credibility with me.. people said oh he works for MLB what do you expect... well Russo also works on MLB TV and he shredded Hinch to shreds. Life time bans needed to be handed out and Manfred is obviously lying about seriously investigating the buzzers. Manfred... your turn... do the right thing or risk your fans revolt against you with their wallets.

[@SolitarySoldier]

Jack Peters i love maddog. He is so honest and doesnt beat around the bush. My only problem i dont agree with him is that he defends fiers. Fiers is officially labeled as a rat and he shouldn’t have done that. If you look on jomboys video, he cheated when he threw a no hitter. You cant have something both ways. You cant call someone out when you do the same. Might i also remind everyone that fiers threw a ball at stantons face and almost killed him and he threw at luis valbuenas head. He’s classless and gutless

[@kolt471]

@@SolitarySoldier Ok well, first off, using foreign substances to doctor a pitch is not considered cheating anymore, everyone litteraly EVERY pitcher does it, and it's to get a better grip on the ball, you're favorite team does it too. And, hitters actually prefer pitchers use that stuff so they have a lower risk of getting hit by the ball. Second of all, You can't call Fiers "classles and gutless" because he threw at people UNINTENTIONALLY In what world do you think that's intentional, nobody would EVER thow at someones HEAD INTENTIONALLY, that's just flat out stupid. Yes it sucks that he did it but he didn't do it on purpose. And, third of all is Chris Ruso's takes suck, like really suck. He is loud and annoying and has low baseball IQ. For instance, when the Rays one 90 games last year with the Cy Young Winner and multiple solid hitters, he called them a one year wonder and said they were gonna suck in 2020....

[@TheLocalLt]

Jack Peters Russo doesn’t work for MLB tv he works for Sirius, he does a show on MLBN but he doesn’t work for them

[@kodyb8675]

This is a joke and MLB should be ashamed. He was literally asked here about buzzers and didn't simply say "no" - how is that acceptable?

[@TravisGriffinTron]

don't ask, don't tell

[@TheBionicleRocks]

This makes me believe even more that buzzers were used...

[@bori1986]

Yup the investigation into the buzzer thing was total BS MLB didn't want to tell us the truth

[@hoss011]

@@bori1986 maybe bc far too many teams were doing the same thing.. keepin in the dark

[@coldcoilinc]

When it comes out they did use buzzers he will be banned for life

[@majesticking8056]

He smirks and laughs when asked how did you feel when you was fired, he lived those moments and would never feel guilty of doing it because it was a rush not only for him and his Astros 2017 and 2018 team

[@george1654]

Verducci grow balls and ask him, why did they have to cheat.

[@amauriscapellan5949]

It was a cookie cutter interview

[@ricktemmen6272]

The interview was a joke. It was a disservice to Baseball fans everywhere.

[@coolbrounderscore]

Are you serious? Are you 5 years old? Do you really not understand why they cheated? This is really straightforward stuff

[@DweezlePeePants]

Interviewer: Did you guys use buzzers in 2019? AJ: The commissioner did an investigation for 3 months and (voice crack) I believe him.... Hmmm....

[@paulpiazza3748]

He answered it like h e wasn't in the dugout. Hey, AJ you were there, did they use it or not?

[@skankytrick]

Asked if the 2017 WS was "tainted": "That's a fair question." Then he doesn't answer the question, which is really more of a statement than a question.

[@morgott13]

that question already answered itself but i wish someone would just admit it. nobody will forget the altuve death grip.

[@bobheck7303]

@@paulpiazza3748 EXACTLY!

[@steviecav7252]

Verducci deserves to be banned from baseball for a year

[@javtimestwo]

@Cav-i have to agree with you. needed a much better journalist asking these questions and follow up questions. he tossed slow pitch softballs up there and Hinch had zero trouble answering

[@armyjoe_9842]

Agree

[@AJHakim]

This is not journalism it’s more of a PR interview. The Astros cheated and obviously used buzzers. And Verducci coasted through this instead of hitting him hard.

[@simondaughtry4619]

lol

[@thomasfuller225]

@Vincent Cuttolo Ummm don't have to be a good journalist to ask TOUGH questions, and expect thouroh answers. That journalist needs to think he's asking for US. You can't be a journalist and ask pussy questions. Ask tough questions ask tough follow up questions make him sweat.

[@jonah5503]

I appreciate someone who actually was a part of the issue coming out and discussing it, MLB is trying to sweep this under the rug when they’ve never done so with past scandals.

[@gospos1]

I couldn't finish watching this...Verducci didn't ask the right questions, didn't follow up and was too light and soft...one of the biggest scandals in baseball history and he's asking him how shocked was he about the suspension...Stay puft marshmallow man would ask tougher questions...Hinch seemed apologetic but also seemed like a guy who is going to get his job back next year by protecting players and giving vanilla answers

[@JohnjOcampo]

His employed by the MLB wtf do you expect lol they like cheating in their sport its a known fact now.

[@charlesrocks]

Not even close to the biggest scandal in MLB history considering the Chicago Black Sox and Pete Rose gambling crimes. These guys are guilty of winning by being overly competitive. That’s all.

[@gospos1]

Charles Wagner ...matter of opinion sir

[@Joe_______]

@@charlesrocks You, guy, are guilty of spewing absolute nonsense. Probably by being overly simple-minded. That's all.

[@bpeav4347]

Charles Wagner overly competitive? Nonono... overly competitive people WORK HARDER than the rest. Maybe even get a lil scrappy with the other team. But not cheat. Find ways to play the game within the game. Not CHANGE the game within the game

[@rilenixx]

@MLB network. This is a joke, right? This interview is insulting to all of the Major League Baseball fans around the world. These soft questions are absolutely ridiculous. What does this teach all of the young children who aspire to be professional baseball players? That cheating is not only condoned in the big leagues but those who cheat are not held accountable either? That the responsibility of cheating other teams and players on MLB's biggest stage does not come with serious consequences? What is MLB's real agenda for this interview? I am disgusted with how this has been handled. Reinstate Pete Rose as well. This is far worse than what they banned Pete Rose for in my opinion and yet all the players involved are still playing. None of them have been suspended for any length of time yet and seems they won't be either. How about those pitchers who have had their legacy's tarnished by pitching to a bunch of cheaters in the playoffs? MLB needs to make this right.

[@baddabingbaddaboo100]

They been told their whole lives... "If u aint cheating u aint trying ".

[@lazomota]

Totally agree with you !! It’s sickening to see no real consequences and this interview sucks it’s just a cheap patch on a big wound !! All the other teams should refuse to play the Astros next season !!!!!

[@samuelsandate9804]

Those young kids that your talking about have their parents to teach them was right and wrong, and they don't have to follow wrong examples from other people. There people that make mistakes and wrong decisions every where we go, whether is at work or at school, and that's that mean I have to follow their example? Absolutely not. Your comment is ridiculous.

[@rilenixx]

Not every child has a strong support system at home or even positive role models that they have around them day in and day out. This is where sports come in and saves alot of these children from hanging around the wrong kids and making the wrong choices in their lives. Choices that derail their young lives and stay with them forever. Your response is ridiculous. What are you even talking about? Do you even know or are you just an astro fanboy making excuses for a bunch of cheating non accountable grown ass men? Men who could care less about their brown nosing fanboys who are patrolling the youtube comment sections in their defense. MLB's world series is the biggest stage there is Sam! This is a horrible example to set as countless children look up to these athletes. Not every child lives the life of luxury like you Sam with parents who actually care about them. Parents who are home everyday teaching them right from wrong. To assume that is stupidity at its finest.

[@andrewbees9780]

MY SON WAS STEALING STUFF FROM THE STORE SO I SLAMMED MY PHONE ON THE FLOOR BUT HE DIDNT STOP

[@kennymcburns7843]

I didn't like it! As a Dad I had to stop it but he did it again.... what should I do??

[@smoothbm1]

Man! That's sums it all up!! Lol.

[@asiaroberson3442]

😀😁I dead

[@johnbarger1426]

not answering the tough questions.....interview was just a "face saving" move by Hinch in hopes that he'll have a job in 2021

[@DavidFlores-ud1lb]

Smooth77 Operator yea exactly, the only reason for this interview is to say “sorry” and I want to manage again next year. All I heard!!!

[@jackman9035]

Smooth77 Operator y’all some haters smh This was started by the front office not AJ! He couldn’t really stop what was happening smh

[@bpeav4347]

Jack man couldn’t stop what was happening? Give me a break. He’s the Skipper dude. He could’ve called a meeting and shut that shit down immediately if he had the balls

[@DavidFlores-ud1lb]

Jack man According to the report, player(s) had mentioned if coach would had said to stop! “then we would of”. AJ was asked in his interview about it, and he said that he wish he could have stop it as soon as he found out about it. He has all the power and authority in everything that goes on inside the dugout during real game time! Don’t give that BS man.

[@jackman9035]

Brock Peavler the skipper more powerful than the Front Office lmfao u sound goofy as hell smh

[@brant9871]

ASTROS Fan here we miss you AJ HINCH

[@patrickmcgowan1252]

Soft interview. Didn't ask about the vibrating band-aid on pee-pee

[@luisrendon2265]

They should have interviewed Alex Cora. He was the mastermind behind all of this

[@calebcastro896]

Him and Carlos Beltrán

[@Astrosfan95]

Its very difficult for me as a 27 year old. i went to a game in 2012 with my dad who said watch in a couple years they're going to be really good. He is a Cardinals fan and knew that they got Jeff Lunhow. Looking back I knew the team was very good, but I am hurt, I went to games as a kid watching Hunter Pence, Lance Berkman, etc... It sucked when we traded Hunter Pence, he was my favorite player besides Berkman, and to think we tanked for this just isn't right to me. We didn't need to go the length that the Astros did to win a championship. We had the talent, I believe we had better talent than the 2005 Astros and they made it. They lost, but they did it the right way. The '17 Astros could've made it the same was and very well could've won without crossing the line. The Astros will forever be my team, but it will be a lesson for my future kids down the road that there is a right way to do something and a wrong way. I feel bad for all the players affected by this as well as other teams who didn't go the length that the Astros did. Right is right and wrong is wrong period.

[@TREK1305]

Can anyone convince me that the questions & answers weren't scripted..

[@joeysauce]

"The Houston Astros are World Champions" No, they aren't Joe Buck. They're World Series Cheaters.

[@qDelinquent]

Joseph Toscano no they are the world champs

[@Frankieefootballmundial]

v Yappaz Boston Red Sox are cheaters in 2018

[@danielargel3290]

@@qDelinquent shut up

[@christopherorrante289]

@@qDelinquent Asterisks

[@michaelharrington512]

Lol look who you’re rooting for now tigers fan

[@scubaseball12]

That crass press conference of him saying they should’ve practiced sign stealing in spring training leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I wanna believe him and what he says here but he was so condescending towards the entire league while they were doing it. Terrible for the game.

[@SamWesting]

AJ was acting like Lance Armstrong right before being stripped of his Tour De France titles. Defiant, arrogant & dismissive of his critics, even as the evidence of cheating mounted. He's acting humble & contrite now, only because he knows that is the only way he will ever get to manage in MLB again.

[@foxbodyblues6709]

This Astros went from setting the record for strikeouts (most) in 2016 to being a league leader in strikeouts (fewest) in 2017. Guess why

[@TREK1305]

Love to see a 360 panoramic view of this room. I can imagine there are so many lawyers present for mlb & Houston scripting ea response.. it appears they are trying to save face for MLB & Houston..

[@jrm_music7229]

Miss AJ Hinch .. as a fan , 2017 felt magical .. not knowing what's going on ..being in the moment ..it was awesome enjoying their run .winning the WS .

[@JackGeezy85]

That is gone now. The team they played in WS that year was magical though.

[@jrm_music7229]

@@JackGeezy85 what team lol Astros back on top 2021

[@JackGeezy85]

@@jrm_music7229 Without Sticky Fingers Cole and Verchoker, good luck.

[@jrm_music7229]

@@JackGeezy85 check the standings #1 AL .. goof ball 🤡

[@JackGeezy85]

@@jrm_music7229 Who cares idiot, you need lights out pitching to win. Plus no trashcans this time.

[@KFCganni]

I want to know everything but he is gonna protect Altuve, Bregmann... from knowing the whole truth.

[@cortezmauricio56]

midget altuve isnt good with out cheating

[@SolitarySoldier]

cortezmauricio56 he was a 290 plus hitter in seasons prior to 2017 when this sign stealing started. He obviously is a good hitter.

[@shawn9566]

@@SolitarySoldier we can't know if this was going on b4 2017

[@samhopkins3610]

Shawn Brown highly doubtful cuz they took an astronomical leap in 2017

[@XxChuyoxX]

cortezmauricio56 Lmao except he’s been good for years you moron.

[@coolioholio]

"We would have practiced it in Spring Training" lmao you did practice it

[@jesusleyva7216]

Suspended for life

[@bran154]

Jesus Leyva shut yo ass up

[@worldtraveler721]

I wonder what Arod would say about this 🤔🤔🤔

[@haywoodjablomie3830]

As a New Yorker and Yankees fan living in Houston...after watching this video I can say from the bottom of my heart.... A.J. when you start your new career as a Uber driver, I will give you 5 stars.

[@Murphyj102]

He swept the Yankees last month oops

[@superwong6601]

Get the hell out of Houston

[@AJ-oh9fy]

Thank you AJ for the title 2017 for everything

[@mostandwatsonbreaks]

A J stfu

[@marcoz3030]

A title that will forever be tainted 🚮

[@DavidSanchez-lk4md]

Marco why ?

[@elijahjburies5391]

David Sanchez becasue they cheated

[@inxslurk]

What a great politician I plead the fif

[@Mark-br1nf]

Hilarious 😂

[@exillityclappz3675]

One,two,three,four,five, Fith!!

[@pdn0018]

I for one think he’s being genuine and sincere. He owned up to it and I wish him a quick return to the game he loves

[@paulpiazza3748]

Nope. Ban him for life. Any team that hires him is asking for trouble. No matter what his new team would do it would be under suspicion. And he is an incredible phony to talk about the effect on his family. How would he think they would not be effected? He had a choice, he could have stopped it. He played along. Guilty. Adios.

[@pdn0018]

Paulp Piazza hey I agree that they “cheated” but stop and think to yourself about this.... the mlb didn’t strip them of the title they didn’t punish the players and they didn’t ban anyone... and do you know why?? Because a lot of teams were/are doing this and to ban someone for something they all apparently know is going on would cause an uproar from within the league. You would have a lot of people across the mlb fired and they didn’t want that. So they made an example of the Astros in hopes the rest would follow instructions. People saying it’s because they got caught are wrong. It’s because they got exposed and put on a light that other teams have not because Fires went public instead of going to the MLB. And who knows, maybe the first warning was him doing just that. More information will come out.

[@paulpiazza3748]

@@pdn0018 I think they didn't ban the players because of their fear of the player's union. They can do whatever to mangy because mlb controls mgmt. And you know what? You can be sure if other teams did this the Astros would be pointing fingers. Lastly, MLB can't take the WS away from them, that's silly thinking.

[@pdn0018]

Paulp Piazza nobody will know what agreements and rules were imposed when the Commision talked to all of the teams managers and owners about this

[@bobheck7303]

@@pdn0018 FOOLISH!

[@RayFowler]

Just in case you missed it, AJ says repeatedly that he's a leader. He's not a leader. He took the path of least resistance even though he knew it was wrong, which makes him the opposite of a leader. Someone needs to break the news to him.

[@Ikarmely]

Leaders have to be leaders. He knows he did not do enough. I feel bad for him but others I hope are watching this interview and learn from his mistakes.

[@lacesoutchris]

Lmfao

[@Ikarmely]

Jesse Claborn I am sympathizing with a human being who made some egregious errors. He did not kill anybody or anything awful like that at all. He should have stepped up more and because he didn’t , he and his family are paying a very heavy price. Also I am not an Houston Astros fan or from anywhere near Houston.

[@bobheck7303]

@@Ikarmely no one blames his family who's being used for sympathy.

[@Ikarmely]

Bob Heck I am fully aware no one is blaming his family but his family are made to suffer because this coaches lack of action and poor judgment.

[@bobheck7303]

@@Ikarmely suffer my ass. He should have knew consequences.

[@MrGarysugarman]

Had to stop watching after 7 minutes. Can't believe how many times he called himself a "leader".

[@theesweetscience2084]

Well he also calls it a "leadership position". He kinda made an actual pure, legit, powerful leader is that, a leader. But he kinda makes his spot sound so icey and frigid... a "leadership position". It's like saying I'm not a leader, Its just a job title. It's my "leadership title on job". doesnt mean an actual leader

[@jrgulmatico]

This is just a PR stunt .. geez , nothing has been clarified. He is still doing a coverup to the Astros players

[@kmills62]

So you want him to be a big rat like the former pitcher did? He would never be able to manage players again if he did that. If you have just an average intelligence you could have figured out already that Cora and Beltran were the main clprits.

[@gustotrankin7383]

Yes he’d lose respect of cheaters everywhere if he were to do that

[@hogartstrain5641]

Kenneth Mills yes I would love if he was a rat

[@MrWoodyman68]

Theory: AJ Hinch attacks monitors because in two situations knowing what was coming didn’t help. 😂

[@rubensaucedo4118]

What a joke AJ Hinch is. I don't see any remorse in him, he's only saying he should have done more to stop simply because they got caught. He should have flat out denied they were not cheating in 2019 but stopped short of it, only saying MLB did their investigation. That clearly tells us all they were cheating all the way up to the 2019 postseason. …...and lastly, if there was even an ounce of regret and remorsefulness for the cheating, AJ Hinch should have flat out stated, "Yes, we cheated all the way through the World Series, so yes our World Series championship is tainted." Of course its frickin tainted, the Astros cheated throughout the season, playoffs, and World Series, what kind of a BOZO would say "its up to each individual persons interpretation." The whole Astros organization is a complete joke, nobody from that organization has come out and said, "we cheated, the whole 2017 championship season is tainted." Until a higher up from that organization does that, there isn't going to be any forgiveness for what they did.

[@coldcoilinc]

Vincent Cuttolo dude you seriously sound like a complete idiot.

[@trendsports3136]

Alex Cora next

[@Erick-zb7xv]

Bergman and Altuve watching this sweating their balls off

[@akhilthomas77]

As an Astros fan, I can’t even walk outside normally without being heckled by other team fans. This is life for us now.

[@katherineberger6329]

Hinch: I’m sorry we got caught. Gonzo: I’m sorry for everything we did in 2017 and I know I can never live that down. It’s called clubhouse culture. Passion, Hustle, Heart, Fun. Go Twins!

[@gripperwash]

Did your team cheat in the 2017 World Series? Yes or no!!! I waited for that question.

[@joecast4714]

I waited for it and lost respect for Verducci for not asking it, pressure from MLB? Who knows and until they lose their title from 2017 I will no longer be a baseball fan

[@dabz6433]

@@joecast4714 they will never take their title away. delusional to think they would.

[@MrMike77471]

No. They didn't.

[@bryangarcia1021]

Joe Cast I guess you gonna wait a life time buddy 😂😂 Ain’t happening

[@joebuck4957]

@@MrMike77471 mlb investigations cocluded Astros definitely did in 2017 World Series

[@stevecishek3302]

When he asked about the buzzers hinch wouldn’t say yes or no and I hope everyone knows what that means lol

[@juanito1975]

Take the trophy! The Banner, and any reference to the 2017 Winners and Kai-bosh it all!

[@trendsports3136]

Thanks for the upload🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@truebluereef419]

"Is the 2017 WS tainted"? Here, let me answer this for you, AJ, "yes, yes, it is" !!

[@voodoo2plus1]

He answered no questions straightforward.

[@marylongoria9431]

Proud of you!

[@scottywayne]

Really terrible interview.

[@gustotrankin7383]

Let’s offer a trophy for most contrite cheater and maybe he’ll actually say anything of value

[@dustinshaver3173]

Why

[@supreme1572]

Really a shame that Verducci let this garbage interview happen since he was the main guy against steroids

[@forallseasons7584]

Hinch is a clean cut white man everyone is gonna go easy on him, MLB will paint that story perfectly. Cora will wear the brunt of this... ZERO accountability here! Soft questions!

[@bobheck7303]

AWFUL!

[@Two2onefive]

That was a weak interview by Verducci. Smh.

[@professorrufusalexander8243]

AJ HINCH THE GOAT

[@chrisbaughman9860]

This should be a lesson to all teams thinking of doing something similar in the future. Good luck getting a managerial job after this pal

[@scotturban4580]

He's interviewing for his next position. He never broke monitors they fabricated this story because they knew players weren't being punished. I call bs.

[@mst3k54]

Hinch knows there were definitely buzzers and couldn’t say “no,” because he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop about buzzers and knows he’ll be caught in a lie. That’s 100% what’s going through his mind when he gives that ridiculously dodgy answer to a yes/no question about buzzers.

[@onlee643]

That's exactly what was running through his mind. He was like, "if I say no, this shit will eventually come out and I'll be exposed"

[@DanSurgeYT]

I’m not lying, until now, I thought AJ Hinch was bald

[@David3000]

How about a Alex Cora interview?

[@mattgrossell2287]

With mad dog russo

[@Yooncelebtarot]

David3000 I’m still waiting for his punishment...

[@eddielee3928]

This was more a pre-interview for teams looking for a new skipper after his suspension is up.

[@coolbrounderscore]

He won’t be a manager in the mlb again

[@Murphyj102]

@@coolbrounderscore uhhh

[@coolbrounderscore]

@@Murphyj102 shows how much attention i'm paying to baseball these days. blows my mind that a team hired him almost immediately.

[@richardm1062]

Two reactions: One, the 2017 championship is now tainted, and as a lifelong Astros who'd waited 40 years for a World Series win that's a very bitter pill to swallow. Hard to say how much the scheme helped but there are now questions about the legitimacy of their win when before there were none. Two, A.J. should consider a career in politics. He's very good at giving non answers to direct questions.

[@baddabingbaddaboo100]

Going to be fun watching altuve and bregman come back down to earth.

[@Arcturian1111]

Give the 2017 Championship to The Yankees and The Dodgers

[@the26local96]

Here's some perspective: if the players are banned we can't see them get hit by 1,000 pitches this year 🤔

[@cjr1881]

zippity dandy But they weren’t. So they all need to be hit in the head and have their careers ended. Players now have to police it themselves.

[@jamesrobinson1557]

First pitch to start the season. Right between the numbers...

[@jrm_music7229]

Thank you AJ for the great memories!! We’re back on top again 2021 with Dusty Baker !!

[@Frankieefootballmundial]

You guys are still cheaters Yankees will get payback In the alcs to beat the Astros

[@jrm_music7229]

@@Frankieefootballmundial keep dreaming 5-2 Astros > Stankees

[@Frankieefootballmundial]

@@jrm_music7229 the Astros players should’ve got suspended or a lifetime ban

[@jrm_music7229]

@@Frankieefootballmundial all teams steal signs .part of the game... do your homework ..n stop crying 😢

[@Frankieefootballmundial]

@@jrm_music7229 the dodgers didn’t cheat at least they won In World Series 2020

[@trwwn3804]

Never seen a guy so chill yet suspended for a whole year from work.

[@_gabe_2407]

Cause he got money to fall back on

[@douglasmccown6108]

Hands down one of the best coaches ... We miss you in Houston AJ

[@whywelovefilm7079]

Yeah I bet you do…

[@rudyrrb8720]

What a Joke MLB. Get this right for once. You have to strip them from the 2017 WS

[@alanconnelly3921]

Patriots cheated and got to keep super bowls

[@Aviator43]

I have complete respect for AJ for finally speaking out on this. That being said, I want to hear an interview with some of the players. Specifically Bregman, Altuve, Springer, Correa.

[@jenesisjp91]

Altuve already did an interview. Apparently he not a cheater and they're going to be in world series again. That pretty much everything that he said. Yup thats right no apologies. Just more arrogants.

[@SG13232]

Jenesis 91 That interview made me hate him more than I already do, and I didn’t think that was possible

[@jenesisjp91]

@@SG13232 really that's pretty much how all their interviews have went. Have you seen Bergman's yet? That fool completely ignored the questions.

[@ricktemmen6272]

I'm 71 years old and have loved the game since I was a young boy. This guy should never be allowed in Baseball ever again. He can do something else.

[@MrLeonardodivinci]

AJ Hinch’s apology sounds like a Shaggy song. “Caught me banging on the trash can. Wasn’t me.”

[@javiergomez5445]

Weak questions!!!horrible! We want real harsh questions.!!

[@scottfreeland3242]

Manfred sits at an incredible point in history and all he's doing is showing fans and future players that cheating is okay. The Commissioner has absolutely botched this ordeal. 1 step forward in catching the Astros, and 5 steps back in teaching a lesson from all this. Pathetic. Think of all the pitchers who have suffered because of the cheap tricks the Astros rolled out. But, no, let's save face for Mr. Hinch. Always serving the higher-ups. Letting the victims get crushed. The blood is on your hands, Mr. Manfred. PATHETIC.

[@bluunttrauma3762]

5:20 he gets the nervous gulps when trying to say he didn’t like his players cheating 😂

[@slundgr]

What happened with the other 8 teams the Astros told MLB they suspected of cheating? This scandal goes much deeper than the Astros and the 2017 season, and even the Red Sox and the 2018 season.

[@paulpiazza3748]

Where did you read that?

[@loelco8162]

THERE IT IS THANKS BURN IT ALL DOWN

[@slundgr]

@@loelco8162 When Manfred talks about integrity of the game I try not to throw up in my mouth.

[@jesselarios1783]

He never answered the question if they had buzzers he just smiled and said MLB didn’t find anything min 17

[@jgonz185]

What if the players were doing it behind his back? It's not something loud like banging on a trash can. Is it possible he really didn't know about it? Just playing devil's advocate.

[@jesselarios1783]

jgonz185 he still didn’t answer it tho he could of said I’ve never seen any device on my players he just told us what we already knew

[@slundgr]

Manfred wants nothing more than for this to go away.

[@bobheck7303]

@@jgonz185 FOOLISH!

[@alexgrabowski7]

Let Pete rose back in then...

[@bpwisniewski]

Truly. If you're going to allow this, bring back Charlie Hustle.

[@OriginalGrasshopper]

And Joe Jackson!

[@BitcoinMotorist]

Pete Rose didn't even cheat. He bet on his team to win.

[@alexgrabowski7]

Bitcoin Motorist under the rules he did cheat by betting on a team... yes it was his team but he still bet. I think his punishment should still be lifted bc they should look at it that he bet on his own team

[@loelco8162]

Ok Goober

[@PakRT48]

2020 World Series: Yankees vs Dodgers, AJ in the broadcast booth doing play-by-play, Verducci sideline reporter, Cora doing Espanol broadcast. Long live baseball!

[@bpeav4347]

The players involved need to be held accountable. The fact that they haven’t been is mind boggling. Why wouldn’t more teams without backbones try to pull this off again? Just unbelievable

[@mikehunthurst6953]

Way to sidestep responsibility Hinch. “Yeah I heard it.” As if he wasn’t part of the whole scheme. Disgrace not just to baseball but all of sports. If Pete Rose is banned this long for something stupid this guy should be banned for life. Houston Astros org is tainted.

[@alexgrabowski7]

Haha 15:00 during that answer you can just see him getting nervous and struggling to find the right words.

[@DavidSanchez-lk4md]

Alex Grabowski easy to talk behind the screen. You wouldn’t talk to that like him in person

[@alexgrabowski7]

David Sanchez are you saying I wouldn’t say that to him lol umm I would never see him in my life... and I was just stating that he looked nervous about answering that bc he knew he was lying.

[@blakecheboygan]

David Sanchez I would say the system of cheating designed on his baseball club was involved in two World Series.

[@JohnjOcampo]

@@DavidSanchez-lk4md huh he clearly got nervous about it why wouldt he say it to his face if its true lol

[@otfpedro8244]

David Sanchez Nigga shut yo dumbass up

[@jgreico11]

Now A.J Hinch is the manager of the Detroit Tigers.

[@akbarlebowitz8151]

"Bang one time on the trash can for a fastball. Twice for a curve. Three for a change up" Sung to the tune of Tony Orlando And Dawn's "Knock Three Times".

[@YankeeStang]

This interview is a complete waste of time. We want answers Tom Verducci and MLB !! We need Mike Francesca to do the interview. @mikeson

[@patrickbooth5091]

L V 😂 just like the arod interview??

[@prolificscholar6910]

back afta this

[@LacesOutComedy]

Verducci and MLB Network looking to hire this guy? Kinda soft. Not one follow up question???

[@kevinmartinez8176]

Total bs. He knew all along from the beginning and did nothing to stop it. Hopefully no one believes that he did not have anything to do with it. He was involved, allowed it and benefited from it which is why he didn’t stop it. Period,point, blank. Own all of it.

[@bigpapafrez8405]

Hey AJ still love you brother!!!