Undoubtedly and understandably, no clubhouse boss in the modern history of the Winter Meetings has tip-toed into a more scalding sit-down with the national media than Astros manager A.J. Hinch on Tuesday.
Instead of basking in the glow of a run that includes the 2017 World Series title and a three-season average of nearly 104 wins, Hinch’s glistening forehead signaled he would rather go through oral surgery without novocaine than face the Gatling gun that awaited.
Encircled by media packed elbow to elbow in a ballroom at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, questions about whether the franchise engaged in systemic cheating rained down on the Padres former vice president of scouting.