MLB commissioner makes huge admission on Astros cheating scandal

Manfred's interview with TIME senior sports correspondent Sean Gregory was a part of the news company's "TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2023" compilation.

Manfred discussed a wide range of topics for the article, including the new rule changes, the future of the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers' recent controversy surrounding the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

"Some of the decisions surrounding the Houston situation, would like to have those back. I mean, if I could take back the rather flip comment I made about the World Series trophy at one time, I’d take that one back," Manfred said. "There have been times, particularly in times of pressure, when I look back, taking a little more time might have led to a different outcome."

In response to the question "In the Houston sign-stealing situation, what do you regret?" Bud Selig's successor said that he wasn't sure he would've "approached it with giving players immunity."

"Once we gave players immunity, it puts you in a box as to what exactly you were going to do in terms of punishment," Manfred said. "I might have gone about the investigative process without that grant of immunity and see where it takes us. Starting with, I’m not going to punish anybody, maybe not my best decision ever."

After MLB's report deemed that the Astros "used electronics to steal signs during its run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season," according to an ESPN report, then-manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended and fired. No players were punished though, after commissioner Rob Manfred "granted them immunity as part of the league's investigation," per the report.

Though it's been five years since the 2018 campaign and over three years since MLB revealed its report, the scandal is still clearly on the minds of some players.

In early May, Chicago White Sox reliever Kenyan Middleton savored his game-ending strikeout of Minnesota Twins shortstop (and former Astros star) Carlos Correa, calling him a "cheater."