According to SNY’s Andy Martino, members of the Houston Astros organization admitted to stealing signs to MLB, although they denied installing any special cameras to do so.
Astros fans will still say there’s no proof pic.twitter.com/4n2VLalhiW
— Andrew (@AndrewwM_) December 14, 2019
“We did ask for a game centerfield feed to decode signs, as many teams do,” one witness told MLB, according to Martino. “All we asked for was a live feed.”
However, a live feed would still be illegal in itself. This builds off Mike Fiers’ claim to The Athletic that the Astros used a centerfield camera to relay signs during their 2017 World Series run. The camera was reportedly league-approved for scouting purposes and the organization felt they were within league-wide standards in their practice, according to Martino.
Houston went 101-61 en route to an AL pennant and their first World Series in franchise history, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game classic.
After following up their 2017 campaign with two more 100-win seasons in 2018 and 2019, the Astros returned to the World Series after beating the New York Yankees in the ALCS, however, they would fall to the Washington Nationals in seven games.
The Astros have been long suspected of stealing signs, mainly by playoff opponents in the Dodgers and Yankees.
The punishment for the organization remains to be seen, although some suspect particularly harsh penalties for GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch.
