SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — MLB commissioner Rob Manfred made the pilgrimage from Florida’s spring training scene to Arizona, facing another round of fire regarding the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal on Tuesday.
Manfred made clear that, if not for Mike Fiers blowing the whistle on his former team, this investigation would have taken much longer.
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“I want to be really clear about this. Mike Fiers did the industry a service,” Manfred said. “I do believe we will be a better industry as result.”
After questions arose about protecting the Astros from potential retaliation from other players and teams — perhaps in the form of a hit by pitch — Manfred also said that the league would be certain to protect Fiers from any possible backlash or retaliation.