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?
That’s a lateral move I don’t think the Dodgers would allow.
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
I was just getting ready to post that.
No surprise!
Looks like Zaidi was overruled when the Dodgers hired Roberts or he had to accept second best for the Giants. Congrats to Gabe.
Anybody surprised that Verdugo didn’t get any votes for ROY, not even a third place vote?
No, not enough AB’s, but he wasn’t close.
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.
Bum,
Are you in the Northwest yet?
Bought a home in Ridgefield Washington. There is all sorts of construction going on but also seems to have a rural feel that is close enough to Vancouver and Portland and yet not too close
1. Why Washington?
2. Why Ridgefield (other than Richie Sexson?)
3. When does the move take place?
We moved in a couple of weeks ago. Our middle son lives in Camas, WA about 25 minutes away and adopted three kids a couple of years ago. Our youngest son is still in NH but has always had plans to move back to Oregon. I’ll be nudging him north. Oldest son is in Colorado so hopefully we all will be within a time zone of each other.
It was a great experience to live in NH. Boston is a small enough town you can walk it and obviously historical. We also really liked Vermont and Maine. But our roots are west coast.
Ridgefield is full of construction yet still has an open and rural feel. It’s close enough to Vancouver and Portland but not too close. The Rays will be moving soon to Portland.
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2018/05/heres_what_a_major_league_base.html
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.
They sprayed the champagne, had a parade, enjoyed the trophy for 2 years, got rings; now it’s time to give the trophy back. They can keep their rings although what good is it to steal signs if the players aren’t told. They’re guilty of accepting stolen property.
astros stole signs to beat kershaw? lol
how do you explain the other chokes?
come on, lets get real here
That is real, Ken.
Luhnow learned from St. Louis. I have always said that I suspected sign stealing.
They had a camera on a grassy knoll in center field. While that pokes at conspiracy theories, I think the Dodgers have been victimized by sign stealing in the 2017 WS.
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.
Luhnow was from St. Louis. I have always believed that something was going on against that Cards too. Luhnow may be a criminal.