As MLB weighs its disciplinary decision following Sunday’s brawl between the A’s Ramon Laureano and Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron, Laureano offered his side of the story to reporters on Monday.
In an interview with ESPN, Laureano said that Cintron instigated the fight when he made an obscene comment about Laureano’s mother. Cintron — in a response through an Astros spokesperson — denied to ESPN that he insulted Laureano’s mother.
But mainly, Laureano said he regretted that he let Cintron get him so fired up that he looked to fight someone despite MLB’s strong emphasis against brawls during this pandemic-shortened season.
Laureano said:
“I regret charging him because he’s a loser. [A suspension] is understandable, but I hope it’s not that many games.
“At the end of the day, I’m here to win a World Series with the Oakland Athletics — this wonderful group of guys. I don’t want to be a distraction. Obviously, I am right now. Hey, I’ve already moved on. I’m facing Julio Teheran today, and that’s all I’m thinking right now.”
That’s some serious Conor McGregor apology vibes right there, but Cintron should get the harsher punishment here. He’s a coach and shouldn’t be urging opponents to fight.
Laureano added that he had no ill will towards the Astros, and he didn’t think any of the pitches that hit him during the series were intentional.
