A bombshell report that was dropped on Tuesday outlined the system the Houston Astros used in 2017 to steal signs from their opponents, and more and more video evidence continues to turn up supporting the claims.
Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic spoke with several former members of the Astros organization who explained that the team used a video camera in center field that was fed to a TV screen near the home dugout at Minute Maid Park. Players or staffers would watch the opposing catcher put down signs and bang on a trash can to signal to the hitter when an off-speed pitch was supposed to come.
Jomboy has gone through several Astros games from the 2017 season and uncovered numerous instances when an obvious banging sound could be heard before an off-speed pitch was thrown to a Houston hitter. Here are several examples:
Another game vs the WS.
1st pitch fastball: no bang
2nd pitch off speed: bang bang
3rd pitch fastball: no bang pic.twitter.com/NB1CWRh0l9— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 13, 2019
fastball: no bang
offspeed: bang pic.twitter.com/w3coyl27q3— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 13, 2019
haha listen to this one. Springer homers on an 0-2 pitch pic.twitter.com/FZ6eT6Ikwf
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 13, 2019
Bregman down 0-2. gets two offspeed pitches that come with the bang. spits on the first. homers on the second. pic.twitter.com/pM6i0UKgGH
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 13, 2019
MLB has launched an investigation into the claims, and it’s impossible to believe the Astros will avoid disciplinary action of some sort. The video evidence speaks for itself. Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar spoke with The Athletic about his experience with the Astros stealing signs, and there is video evidence to back that up as well.
The Astros were also accused of stealing signs during this postseason and last, though MLB cleared them in both instances. It would be a surprise if that happens again this time.
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:
