This is absolutely maddening. What the actual f***?????!!!!! This has been identified as a league wide issue but MLB is going to only investigate one team??? They are going to drop the hammer on Houston to use us an example to get everyone else to stop doing it too, this is complete bs. F*** Mike Fiers.
From reports, they were already well aware of the trash can banging in 2017. At this point, it’s about whether or not the Astros used any illegal measures beyond that, including this year. to that end, yes... the focus is entirely on the Astros.
Yep. Red Sox and Yankees cheated and got caught in 2017. They got caught late in the year. Articles came out in Sept. 2017. So if the Astros cheated before Sept. 17 and not after....they should be slapped on the wrist just like the Red Sox and Yankees.
Were the Yankees actually fined? All I can find on that topic is this: https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/9/8/16274276/red-sox-yankees-sign-stealing-video-apple-watch-mlb
I'm kind of hoping that the Astros have evidence of other teams stealing signs electronically with their counter surveillance. If Manfred wants to ban Luhnow he should let him know that it will all be released to the media.
League found insufficient evidence and fined them for using a bullpen phone. But...the league is never going to go down hard on their two Cash Cows. I think Astros should get same slap on the wrist if what they did happened before Sept. 2017. However, if the Astros continued to cheat into 2018/19 after MLB said they would come down hard on the next cheater......be prepared for Hinch to be banned for cheating. MLB will come down hard.
Here's Manfred's problem, he knows that it extends beyond us. He's burying himself by saying that. If you don't think that the Houston people are doing their due diligence then you're crazy.
Prepare for the Astros to be forced to be sold, will be moved to Portland, will have all ties to Houston vacated along with all titles and retired numbers. Wiped from existence.
Manfred can’t say “hey, this is a league-wide problem” even though it almost assuredly is. The fact that anonymous players have said that other teams use camera equipment is not something he can ignore when he assesses punishment. His comments on the topic are typical PC headlines and aren’t substantive. We can rest assured that, even though we were caught, Astros FO will fight hard for a fair punishment in light of what the league as a whole is allowing. I highly doubt the fans media reaction is a legitimate driving force in terms of punishment. That is extremely irrational and I would be disappointed in the league if that were a precedent the league is choosing to set.
Has manfred ever had a clear and concise answer to anything since his promotion to commissioner? Im being serious, the guy is a joke and from what I can think back, he has not. From juiced balls to hacking to previously caught cheating teams. The guy seems to be a turnstile on how teams and policies run through him.
What's interesting to me is that the actual stealing of signs isn't the issue, nor is the banging of the trash cans. If you think about it, banging a trash can to relay a message is pretty creative, and a bit funny. But no, it's none of that, it's solely the matter of using a camera. It almost feels like all of that is being intertwined to create this huge "scandal" which seems in itself to be a superfluous use of the word. They violated an MLB rule, not commit a criminal act like hacking private computer systems or using illegal substances. They used a camera instead of their own eyes to steal signs.
Yeah, the technology aspect is seemingly the entire sticking point. I’m absolutely certain other teams are doing it, but someone’s going to have to take a fall to set precedent, and you can bet the punishment will be fairly heavy. I’m not real worried about it. Pay the price and move forward!
I'm expecting a heavy fine and loss of draft picks at this point. Would be suprised if our GM or coach are banned
Yes, it is being blown out of proportion. Never forget the Red Sox had an entire system of stealing signs and using technology. It wasn't a big deal, at least not at this level. The issue with the Astros is that they beat the Red Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers that year and the latter two fanbases are pissy that the Astros blocked their teams from winning a WS and they are loud and obnoxious fanbases that are making some wild demands.