Like to personally thank all of our fans,
sponsors and the Community of Houston
for their loyalty and support.
I will now turn it over to Alex who
will speak on behalf of the players.
OK, Alex is going to give a brief
statement followed by Jose Altuve.
Thank you Jim. I have some brief remarks
that I'd like to share with you all.
I'm really sorry. About the choices.
That were made. By my team.
By the organization and by me.
I've learned from this.
And I hope to regain the trust.
Of baseball fans. I would also.
Like to thank the Astros fans.
For all of their support.
We as a team.
Are totally focused on moving forward.
To the 2020 season. Thank you.
Thank you Jane and thank you, Alex.
I also will be brief.
We had a great team meeting last night.
And I want to say that the whole Hospice
organization and the team or feels
bad about what happened in in 2017.
We especially feel remorse for the
impact in our fans and the game of
baseball and artines determination.
To to move forward to play with
intensity and to bring back a
championship to Houston in in 2020.
Thank you.
Welcome to the start of spring training.
I'm going to go over a few remarks
and then I'm going to turn it over
to our players, followed by some
comments from Dusty Baker here.
Last month when MLB announced the
penalties to the Houston Astros.
I issued an apology to our
fans and the City of Houston.
I want to say again how sorry
our team is for what happened.
I want to also repeat that this
will never happen again on my watch.
MLB clearly stated that people
leading the baseball operation and
field operation should be held
accountable for these actions.
And I agree with them.
Our GM and manager were not
only suspended for a year.
We went above and beyond and fired them.
MLB also acknowledged that the
player should not be punished for
the failure of our leadership.
The leaders enabled, condone,
and did not stock those
actions that happened.
I also agree that our players should
not be punished for these actions.
These are a great group of
guys who did not receive proper
guidance from their leaders.
We cannot change.
The actions of the past,
but we are fully committed and
moving forward in the right way.
I believe a big step in moving forward.
Is with our new GM and manager.
We have two men of great character
leading our baseball operation.
James click and Dusty Baker.
Will help our players and our entire
organization deliver a competitive
team on the field and there continue
our commitment to Houston and
make them proud off the field.
I'm very optimistic about this season.
We have a great ballclub and I look forward
to talking to you all about the future.
Finally, I would like to
personally thank all of our fans,
sponsors and the Community of Houston
for their loyalty and support.