Stealing signs is part of the fabric of baseball and will continue to be. When the runner on 2B rubs his nose, it means a curveball is coming. You are never going to stop that… nor should you. However, external sign-stealing or electronic sign-stealing are an entirely different matter and it appears, and it is looking more-and-more like the Houston Astros are dirty rotten scoundrels.
The Athletic broke an article today that could have monumental ramifications. Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich are staking their professional reputations on the veracity of such a report. Here’s the start of the accusations:
Four people who were with the Astros in 2017, including pitcher Mike Fiers, said that during that season, the Astros stole signs during home games in real time with the aid of a camera positioned in the outfield.
Now, an MLB investigation into the Astros’ culture in the wake of the team’s firing of assistant general manager Brandon Taubman could be expanded to determine who in the organization was aware of the sign-stealing practice — and whether it continued or evolved in subsequent seasons. The Athletic’s confirmation of rule-breaking by Houston is limited to 2017.
Of course, there is a lot of due diligence to be done to determine the veracity of such a report. The Athletic article details how it started with two unnamed “uniformed” Astros. Specifically, this is what happened next:
Three other sources who were inside the organization in 2017 and had direct knowledge of the scheme discussed its existence on the condition of anonymity.
The Astros’ set-up required technical video knowledge and required the direct aid of at least some on the baseball operations staff, team sources said.
During the most recent World Series, the Nationals employed a sophisticated set of signs against the Astros that they did not use in previous rounds of the postseason. Hummm… I wonder why that is?
Houston has proven to be without morals at times, embracing Woman Beater Ozuna and the Brandon Taubman episode crossed the T on that one as well. Here’s the interesting part:
Two sources said the Astros’ use of the system extended into the 2017 playoffs. Another source adamantly denied that, saying the system ended before the postseason.
Yeah, I am sure when the games counted the most they just stopped. Right?
It is entirely possible that the Astros or certain factions within the Astros are cheaters and dirty rotten scoundrels. The commissioner’s office will investigate and maybe the World Series Trophy for 2017 will come to Dodger Stadium to reside at the conclusion of it.
It would be bittersweet!
Discussion (24)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Any word on who Gabe’s bench coach will be? Is there a chance it could be Geren?
Utilityman Kristopher Negron announced his retirement Tuesday, three days after the Dodgers released him.
So far, they have not lost anyone…
Our bff’s just hired Gabe Kapler as manager:
https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/gabe-kapler-giants-manager
Anybody surprised that Verdugo didn’t get any votes for ROY, not even a third place vote?
The perception most people have of the Dodgers is that they have great chemistry and a great clubhouse. We really don’t know to what extent that is true but I like it and don’t want to mess with it.
Lindor is supposed to be a fun player to have in the clubhouse and does well with the press. He would probably be a great addition and fit right in.
Chris Archer is also supposed to be a great player to have in the clubhouse and he would also fit right in although maybe he is now better suited to be a reliever/closer.
Gleyber Torres is another player with a great clubhouse reputation.
I would like to see the Dodgers with Lindor, Archer, and Torres added. Anybody hear anything on Betts clubhouse persona?
Hill was popular with the Dodgers. I would like him to be a reliever in the mold of Miller.
I want AJ Ellis back in the Dugout as well even if it is as bullpen coach.
Proving the Astros cheated could help Kershaw be a 1st ballot HOFer.
There were a lot of times in that WS when the Astros just seemed to know what was coming.
Well Ken, consider this. Game one at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw goes 7 innings, allows three hits, one run and strikes out 11. Game 5 in Houston, Kershaw goes 4.2 innings, allows four hits and six runs, strikes out two. Game seven at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw goes four innings, allows two hits, no runs and strikes out four. Kinda makes you wonder, doesn’t it? 11 innings, five hits, one run and 15 strikeouts in LA. Six runs in Houston in less than five innings and only two strikeouts.
MLB should investigate in light of the story from The Athletic, plus other stories about the organization, which haven’t been flattering, makes you wonder what’s going on. If they are guilty, MLB should let them keep the WS trophy, but penalize them heavily as suggested by rubybyrd.
astros stole signs to beat kershaw? lol
how do you explain the other chokes?
come on, lets get real here
The entire Houston organization, from its ownership, to its GM, to many of the players, are dirty rotten scoundrels. I’m not a big fan of Nolan Ryan either (sorry, AC) but I think he’s no longer going to be involved with the team, especially since they fired his son.
I wouldn’t want the trophy, but I would want the Astros to pay steeply for their misdeeds., through loss of draft picks, monetary fines, etc.
Makes you wonder if that is how they got to Kershaw in that wild game in Houston after he dominated them at Dodger Stadium.