Astros apologize to reporter after claiming she fabricated story: 'We were wrong'

The Houston Astros finally apologized after questioning a reporter’s credibility. Stephanie Apstein — a reporter for Sports Illustrated — posted a letter Sunday in which the team apologized for questioning Apstein’s story on the clubhouse incident involving assistant general manager Brandon Taubman.

On Oct. 21, Apstein published a story which described an encounter with Taubman. During the Astros’ American League Championship Series celebration, Taubman yelled in the direction of three female reporters saying he was “so f—-ing glad” the team traded for closer Roberto Osuna. The 24-year-old Osuna was facing a suspension for domestic violence when the team acquired him.

The Astros initially responded to that story claiming Apstein made the whole thing up. The team did this despite multiple reporters confirming Apstein’s story. The team later conducted an investigation and fired Taubman. While the team apologized to Apstein in that release, it never retracted the statement claiming she made up the story.

Five days after Apstein’s initial story, the Astros finally did that.

Apstein received the letter — which was written by Astros owner Jim Crane — Saturday. It reads:

“On behalf of the entire Astros organization, I want to personally apologize for the statement we issued on Monday, October 21st.

We were wrong and I am sorry that we initially questioned your professionalism. We retract that statement, and I assure you that the Houston Astros will learn from this experience.”

While the team did eventually apologize and retract its statement, the Astros had multiple opportunities to contact Apstein prior to Saturday’s letter. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow was asked about getting in touch with Apstein on Thursday. Luhnow said he would do that “as soon as” possible. He said that as Apstein was sitting in the same room.

After falling behind 0-2 in the World Series, the Astros have managed to tie things up. The Astros will play the Washington Nationals in Game 5 on Sunday night.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik

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