Category: MLB

Video shows the Astros’ alleged sign-stealing tactics from the dugout in 2017

Not exactly subtle.

For much of this MLB postseason, there was speculation about the Houston Astros’ ability to pick up their opponents’ signs — whether it be from tipped pitches or actual sign stealing. But now, it’s looking more like the latter.

According to The Athletic, former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers and three anonymous Astros sources said that Houston spent the 2017 season — the Astros’ championship season — stealing signs at home games with the help of a strategically placed outfield camera.

MLB rules prohibit teams from using technology to steal signs, and while the Astros aren’t the only team to be accused of stealing signs in recent years, their efforts may have been the most brazen.

The Athletic report points specifically to an outing from then-White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar in 2017. Via The Athletic:

“There was a banging from the dugout, almost like a bat hitting the bat rack every time a changeup signal got put down,” said Farquhar, who is now the pitching coach with the White Sox’s High-A affiliate in Winston-Salem, N.C. “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.”

And the video supports Farquhar’s claim. Jomboy Media’s Jimmy O’Brien uncovered the footage and singled out the apparent banging on the dugout during an Evan Gattis at-bat.

The banging noise came immediately after — and only after — the changeup sign was shown, which was an obvious tip-off to Farquhar who grew frustrated on the mound.

The Astros weren’t even trying to hide their efforts. It was right there in the open and audible on the broadcast.

This will be something that the league undoubtedly takes a closer look at.

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WATCH: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo responds to backlash over White House visit

One week after the Washington Nationals visited the White House as honorees following their 2019 World Series Championship, team General Manager Mike Rizzo responded Monday to the backlash over the visit.

One week after the Washington Nationals visited the White House as honorees following their 2019 World Series Championship, team General Manager Mike Rizzo responded Monday to the backlash over the visit.

“We weren’t trying to make a political statement, whatsoever,’’ general manager Mike Rizzo told USA TODAY Sports in a wide-ranging conversation about the club’s crucial offseason. “We just thought that the honor and the tradition of champions being invited to the White House and the office of the president, and especially us being the hometown team in their backyard two miles away from the capital, is something that should be done.

“Obviously, each player could make their own decision whether they wanted to attend, but most of the players were excited by it.”

Most memorably, catcher Kurt Suzuki put on a “Make America Great Again,” hat when he took the podium and president Donald Trump hugged him from behind in response.

Rizzo said that the team was “damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” in regard to accepting the invitation from the president following the Nats’ first world championship, adding that he is a registered Independent and that he votes in every election for who he wants.

“The office of the president is something that we respect,” Rizzo said. ‘We felt we should be there. We also felt we should do it with everyone still in town there, or not do it at all.”