Did Justin Verlander reference Astros’ cheating during Cy Young speech?
Justin Verlander on Saturday night accepted the American League Cy Young Award at the New York Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner, and he said something in his speech that did not sit well with some.
During his acceptance speech, Verlander mentioned that “everyone knows the Astros are technologically and analytically advanced.” The line was interpreted by some writers as praise of Houston, or as a joke that made some mad and others laugh.
Verlander just joked that "everyone knows the Astros are technologically analytically advanced." CC, 5 feet away, looks freakin' pissed.
— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) January 26, 2020
Justin Verlander notes that the Astros are very analytically and technologically advanced….followed by a lot of laughter.
— David Waldstein (@DavidWaldstein) January 26, 2020
At NY BBWAA dinner, Verlander accepted AL Cy Young Award and noted how the Astros were “technologically and analytically advanced” as a way to praise the organization. But that phrase caused some in the audience to guffaw. Verlander waited until noise subsided before resuming
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 26, 2020
Considering how outspoken Verlander is on so many MLB matters, seeing a lack of a response from him to the Astros’ cheating scandal has been disappointing and marked him as a hypocrite to many. Prior to his trade to Houston, Verlander complained about illegal sign stealing in MLB.
Reasons for Verlander’s silence were shared by a suspicious Twitter account recently, though a direct link to Verlander was not confirmed.
Verlander went 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA after being traded to Houston in 2017 and helped them win the World Series that season. He led the league in strikeouts in 2018 and finished second in Cy Young voting that year. Last season, his 21 wins and 223 innings pitched led the league and helped him win his second career Cy Young Award. Verlander has gone 42-15 with a 2.45 ERA since joining the Astros.
The Houston Astros are confirmed cheaters and deserve an asterisk. Send that message by wearing our Houston Asterisks T-shirt! You can buy it here:
