A HUNCH ABOUT HINCH

By:  Holly Horning

It’s interesting to read fans’ comments about the hiring of A. J. Hinch. Fans who are ready to write him – and the team – off completely because of the Astros cheating scandal. Others who are willing to give him another chance because, afterall, no one is perfect and shouldn’t be permanently punished by 1 single incident in an otherwise stellar life.

Matthew Boyd put it best when he said we shouldn’t judge someone on a single bad decision. We should judge them on what they do going forward.

And that’s where I’m headed. I’m reserving judgment for the moment. I’m waiting to see.

Especially because this story about the Astros isn’t over yet. It’s because former GM, Jeff Luhnow, has filed suit against Astros owner, Jim Crane and MLB.  And in turn, those in the know have started talking again. How soon before they are called to testify?

But let’s start at the beginning. First of all, Hinch was not found guilty of cheating. He was reprimanded for not doing enough. That is a significant point to remember.

But in all of this, absolutely no one in the media has questioned why Hinch didn’t do more. Why he didn’t have meetings with the team or the instigators with his concerns? Absolutely no one even asked him if he went to his GM to report the cheating.

That’s what I found to be most puzzling. It would have been my first question.

We know he hated the organized cheating being planned and led by Carlos Beltran and Alex Cora. He destroyed 2 tv monitors with a baseball bat, only to have them replaced each time.

So why did A.J. keep to himself? Maybe because he knew that Luhnow and others in the Front Office were in on it.

The investigation report by Rob Manfred showed evidence that Luhnow knew things were going on. There were memos, texts and emails as proof. And it showed that some of his technology people discussed with him the “dark arts” program being launched and operational.

So isn’t it plausible that Hinch knew he couldn’t go to Luhnow because his boss was personally involved in the cheating? And if he did, wouldn’t he think that absolutely nothing would be done? That even his job, his coaches’ jobs and the team’s trajectory that year would be in jeopardy?

Don’t you think he would have weighed all the options before deciding what to do?

And what about the owner? As we’ve seen historically, when you bypass your GM and go directly to the owner, it doesn’t bode well for the manager.

Several former GMs waded into the did-he-or-didn’t-he know about Luhnow. All of them found it peculiar that a GM wouldn’t know what was going on since he is the final exec to sign off on expenses. First, for approving extra expenses, equipment and electrical work to install tvs. Then, to pay to have them replaced twice.

How could he not know? And if someone was asking for money in order to fund an illegal action under false pretenses, why weren’t they fired?

There are just too many unanswered questions. Or, maybe MLB just doesn’t want us to know the full story because they want this sordid mess to go away as quickly as possible.

But now that Luhnow is suing the sport and his former boss, people who have worked with him are talking. And they are all saying he knew what was going on and even approved the work being done.

And these people are universally saying that Luhnow should just shut up and go away. But for the former GM, being sorry, repentant and diplomatic are not in his wheelhouse. He is considered to be the most unlikeable GM, even before this mess happened. He threw numerous employees under the bus. His boss, employees and players. And now MLB.

But not Hinch. He did not once point the finger at him. Why would that be?

But never fear. If his lawsuit that requests his remaining $22 million salary be restored and that MLB acknowledge they set him up in exchange for this scandal to go away as quickly as possible, there will be testimony.

And A. J. conceivably could be vindicated for why he didn’t do what many expected of him as the manager.

It’s interesting that this lapse in leadership contrasts directly with his reputation as a leader and mentor of many. For his entire career, he has supported baseball people with promise. He’s focused on the young and talented in all parts of the sport and made hundreds of friends. It’s remarkable to see how people have rallied in support of him getting the Tigers’ job.

And it helps that A. J. has completely owned his actions, been very honest about the entire scandal and has been authentic in his contriteness.

Which brings us now to Detroit.

You can be sure the organization did their homework on him. A team that is highly risk-adverse took a huge step primarily because they saw someone who wouldn’t let them down. They felt that his role in Houston was an aberration.

It also helps that one of his best friends is Scott Bream, who has known him forever since they worked together with the Padres.

His former manager, Alan Trammell, also gave his opinion, as did Kirk Gibson, his former bench coach. All were in support.

And Justin Verlander did as well. Hinch called him a “great friend” and it’s clear that JV holds him in high regard.

Could all these men be wrong about who A. J. Hinch really is?

Unlikely.

But let’s see how this year unfolds. Especially if the Luhnow/MLB lawsuit goes to trial.

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