The Houston Astros were at the center of controversy last year after Major League Baseball determined the organization electronically stole signs over the course of the 2017 season.
Punishment was levied by commissioner Rob Manfred at the completion of his three-month investigation, which included a $5 million fine, the loss of future draft picks, and former general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch each being suspended for the entire 2020 season.
Many players understandably were not happy with the outcome, as they lashed out against the league for the weak response — particularly for granting members of the Astros immunity.
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Mike Bolsinger took it a step further by filing a lawsuit against the Astros, claiming the sign-stealing effectively ended his Major League career.
Now one year later, the lawsuit is all but dead after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Draper threw out the case in a tentative ruling. However, Bolsinger intends to take the fight to Texas, via Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
On the day a judge told Mike Bolsinger he had no business suing the Houston Astros in California, the pitcher had a swift response: Fine, I’ll sue them in Texas.
Bolsinger said he planned to proceed with his lawsuit in Texas.
“I’ve already gone this far,” he said. “If I’ve been blackballed in baseball — I don’t know if I have been, but if I have, I’m sure it’s just going to continue to be that way.”
While Bolsinger wanted to hold the Astros accountable for ending his MLB career, he has also emphasized the lawsuit was to ensure the sport is kept free of such sign-stealing going forward.
Bolsinger enjoyed his most successful season with the Dodgers in 2015, compiling a 6-6 record, 3.62 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.36 WHIP with 98 strikeouts over 109.1 innings pitched (21 starts).
The right-hander, however, took a step back the following season and was subsequently traded to the Toronto Blue Jays at the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline.
How did Bolsinger fare against Astros in 2017?
Bolsinger faced the Astros twice during the 2017 season — his last time pitching in the big leagues — including on Aug. 4 in what marked his final appearance. He retired just one of eight batters faced, allowing four runs on four hits with three walks.
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