MLB has launched an investigation into the Houston Astros’ apparent technology-aided tactics to steal signs dating back to the 2017 season. And the league investigators may want to check out the Astros’ own commemorative World Series documentary.
It may reveal where the sign stealing unfolded.
Ever since former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers blew the whistle on the Astros’ system to steal signs, plenty of MLB fans have taken a dive into old highlights and looked to uncover blatant examples of this cheating. The Athletic report described a system where someone around the Astros dugout would hit a bat against a trashcan to signify an incoming off-speed pitch.
This system, which wasn’t exactly subtle, raised suspicion among opponents at the time. But for that banging noise to be audible from the plate, it would have needed to be coming from somewhere both close to the field and out of view. This clip from the 2017 World Series documentary would fit that bill.
for people saying sound wont travel during regular season baseball… theres no wall. that opening leads right to home plate. (in the playoffs, its rumored they changed the relay system) pic.twitter.com/UhOsn1JYMx
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 17, 2019
Jomboy Media’s Jimmy O’Brien uncovered a clip that showed both Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman walking past a trashcan in a hallway just off the dugout. The entire setup was curious, to say the least.
What we were told: Astros set up a monitor between dugout and clubhouse to watch a camera feed & relay signs
What we know: they had a monitor in that spot, that they broke down and took away as soon as games ended. A banging sound paterns perfectly with off-speed pitches. pic.twitter.com/ssXd85ezQ4
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 17, 2019
You can see an apparent work station set up right next to that trashcan, and all the shells on the ground would suggest that someone was seated at that spot for an extended amount of time. Whoever was stationed at that chair apparently needed a power strip to plug in electronics and opted to throw the shells on the ground rather than use the trashcan directly to the right.
The open-air setup of that brick hallway would allow any sound to make its way to the field.
O’Brien also pointed out the towel placement, which could have been used to block the view of the trashcan from the field.
And yes, while the setup from the clip is rather circumstantial, it does present an area that MLB should look into. At the very least, there are questions from that hallway that need to be answered.
[opinary poll=”should-there-be-an-asterisk-on-the-astro” customer=”forthewin”]
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