Astros 2017 Sign Stealing Scandal: A Recap
Article contributed by Matt from Lift Your Game.
The Houston Astros have been in a little trouble recently.
After losing the 2019 World Series in spectacular fashion, evidence came to light that showed that the Astros had been using an elaborate camera system to steal signs during their winning 2017 campaign.
And according to the original report from The Athletic, other teams may be doing the same.
Here’s a recap of what’s happened so far.
What did the Astros do?
According to ex-Houston pitcher Mike Fiers, the Astros would monitor opposition pitches in real-time using a camera positioned at center field. There was a monitor in the dugout that the team could watch, placed down the tunnel, away from prying eyes.
After the signals had eventually been decoded, the Astros would hit a garbage can to alert the batter what was coming up next. If the trash can was hit, this signaled that a breaking ball or off-speed pitch could be expected.
Allegedly, this occurred throughout the 2017 season at Astros home games.
Here’s an example from a game at Minute Maid Stadium against the White Sox.
Danny Farquhar, the pitcher in this video, is quoted as saying “There was a banging from the dugout, almost like a bat hitting the bat rack every time a changeup signal got put down”. He continued: “After the third one, I stepped off. I was throwing some really good changeups and they were getting fouled off. After the third bang, I stepped off”.
Since this video was released, fans of opposing teams have found even more examples of a faint banging sound occurring before pitches at previous Astros home games. It appears that this practice did indeed go on throughout the 2017 season.
How has the sport reacted?
This isn’t the first time an MLB team has been caught illegally stealing signs. The Red Sox were fined in 2017 for using an Apple Watch to help signal change-ups to their batters.
Almost immediately after this evidence came to light, the MLB issued a statement reiterating that it has been trying to deal with this problem since 2017.
They also highlighted that a new protocol had been implemented for the 2019 season, prohibiting non-broadcast outfield cameras and video technology in dugouts.
Even though these rules were not in place in 2017, the MLB is still investigating the matter. Stealing signs from second base is one thing, but using technology is definitely considered cheating. The Astros could face significant penalties if found guilty.
Other MLB pros’ reactions could be summed up as “told you so”.
It seems that this practice has almost become an accepted part of the game. Pros know it happens, and if The Athletic’s sources are to be believed, it’s not just the Astros and Red Sox who have done this in the past.
Fiers, who left the Astros for the Detroit Tigers after their World Series win, has described his motivations for going public, stating that he wants young pitchers to be aware that this is the state of the game at the moment.
“We had a lot of young guys with Detroit trying to make a name and establish themselves. I wanted to help them out and say, ‘Hey, this stuff really does go on. Just be prepared.'”
Rival fans have taken to mocking the Astros for how brazen their cheating was.
However, others have quite rightly questioned the effectiveness of the MLB in dealing with this problem.
If teams complained in 2017, why didn’t the MLB investigate and find out what was going on at the time? Why did it take an ex-Astros pitcher to bring this to light, given how obvious the signaling is when watching the footage?
Whatever happens next, it’s unlikely that the Astros will have their 2017 title stripped from them, given the MLB’s record at punishing cheating. However, don’t be surprised to see harsh fines, including even points deductions or draft picks stripped, if the MLB finds that this cheating did indeed take place throughout the entire 2017 season.
