First, Alex Bregman stepped to the lectern to deliver a short statement. Then, Jose Altuve did the same. When the two teammates were finished, Houston Astros owner Jim Crane and new manager Dusty Baker fielded questions.
Thursday was the day MLB and its fans had been waiting for: Finally, the chastened Astros, in the aftermath of a sign-stealing scandal that rocked the sport, would step up and address — and apologize for — the controversy in a full press conference setting.
A day of contrition. A day to ask baseball for forgiveness. A day for owning up to the damage and betrayal done to the integrity of the game.