It was sadly inevitable from the moment the Houston Astros were busted for banging trash cans, but we’re seeing batters on the team getting thrown at and hit by pitchers in retaliation.
This sort of self-policing isn’t the right way to go. Someone is going to get injured — perhaps really badly — because of it, which isn’t the kind of revenge you want for cheating that went on in a game. Plus, it’s backwards: you want to beat the Astros, and putting a man on first against an offense that might be elite even without all that sign-stealing is the wrong way to get that result.
Sure, the Astros could retaliate to the retaliation and charge the mound, but my train of thought here is more on how opponents can express their anger without it turning into a beanball-fest that sends a player to the injured list for months or ends a career.
So here are some other ideas, some of which are already in play during spring training:
1. Fans will punish the players themselves
This is already happening.
Imagine going to work almost every day and having 20,000 people boo and heckle loudly while you’re trying to do your job. That’s what the Astros will face on the road, and I’d venture to say they might hear some of that at home, too.
2. Call players out on social media or in interviews
This is also happening now.
3. MLB players not on the Astros should find a way to collectively show their anger
Here’s an idea: before every first pitch of a series, the team facing the Astros, while in the field, turns its backs on the leadoff hitter before he steps into the box for a full minute. Then, play ball. More powerful than you think, less petty than a broken elbow.
4. Take the money that will probably come out of your paycheck due to an MLB fine or suspension and donate it to charity
Let’s take a negative and turn it into a positive.
5. Allow teams to steal signs from the Astros (but ONLY from the Astros)
You want to go eye-for-an-eye? Here you go! Seriously though, there’s NO WAY this would ever happen, but it’d be hilarious if it did, right?
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