A bombshell report that was published on Tuesday took the sign-stealing allegations against the Houston Astros to the next level, and there is video evidence that supports at least one of the claims in the story.
Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich were told by several former members of the Astros organization that the team stole signs electronically during its World Series season in 2017. The system involved a video camera positioned in center field at Minute Maid Park that would feed to a video screen near the home dugout, and players would relay pitch types to hitters by banging on a trash can before an off-speed or breaking pitch was thrown. Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar said he experienced it first-hand during an appearance in Houston in 2017, and footage from the game supports that.
In the video below from Houston’s game against the White Sox on Sept. 22, 2017, you can clearly hear a loud banging noise before Farquhar steps off the mound to have a discussion with his catcher.
Based on what was described in The Athletic’s story, that will be tough for the Astros to defend.
The Astros were accused of stealing signs this postseason and last, but Major League Baseball now has first-hand accounts to investigate. Members of the organization have all described an electronic system the Astros were using to steal signs during their World Series season, and we now have video evidence to corroborate those claims. Disciplinary action could finally on the horizon.
