FROM 1919 TO 2019

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By:  Holly Horning

This is not a blog about the Astros.

It is about the great risk – the increasing risk – that technology poses to the game.

This is a blog about cheating and preserving the integrity of the game, especially as legalized gambling and MLB’s recent deal with MGM could set the table for a Black Sox 1919 scandal redux.

It is about what needs to be done in order to prevent future problems. It is about what should be done.  It is about preventing more of the same.

Everyone is aware of the current cheating scandal focused on the Houston Astros. The details about how they used video monitors and garbage cans to steal the opposing battery signs from their opponents and relay the pitch type to their batters at the plate.

And according to MLB rules, using technology to steal signs is expressly prohibited and recently re-affirmed with updated rules. Ironically, back in 2017, the same year once again in question, the Red Sox were punished for using Apple watches to steal signs from the Yankees. An opponent, btw, who was also fined for using dugout phones to do the same thing.

Both teams were assessed undisclosed fines for this sporadic foray into dabbling at cheating.   Not at all comparable to what we are learning about the Astros level of effort.

After the Boston and NY episodes, MLB put all 30 teams on warning with the threat that further similar actions would result in much more serious punishment such as the loss of draft picks.

It’s apparent that the Astros weren’t listening.

Which brings us to what level of punishment would be appropriate for Houston. And in order to assess, let’s review the latest information in order to give an accurate picture of the depth of their willingness to consistently break the rules.

There are now multiple pieces of evidence showing that the Astros planned a full-blown strategy for cheating including using MLB’s live feed to steal signs. They include:

1. Testimony from at least 4 former players and several scouts.

2. Multiple emails from top Front Office executives asking scouts and others for help in ascertaining the best system for setting up technology to be used in stealing signs.

3. Video (with sound) of a garbage can being hit 1-2 times right after the signs had been given and just before the pitch was thrown.

4. Video of the bullpen coach draping his arms (or not) over walls to signify fastball or off-speed pitches.

5. A comparison of home and away Astros’ hitters stats showing a huge (and startlingly so) difference in performance greatly favoring the home stats. Players like Jose Altuve hitting 3 HRs in a single game during the playoffs is just one more example.

6. Pictures and video of an additional monitor and laptop set up near the steps to the dugout. Gatorade towels hung strangely overhead to shield them from being seen by official security monitors.

7. Pictures of players at the steps just before they walk into the dugout showing them looking at the tv screens.  Some of them getting ready to bat.

8. A playoff record at home in which they went 8-1 against the Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox. Away, where they were unable to steal signs, they went 3-6.

What we learn from all of this is that there was a concerted and detailed effort to create an effective system of cheating.  An egregious – and arrogant – breaking of the rules. An intent so clearly far beyond what other teams have done.

Evidence seems to support that multiple people were on board, at least one going so far as to authorize the purchase and installation of tv equipment. Equipment that was not hidden in a corner but for everyone who walked those corridors to clearly see.

It means that someone or some people within the Front Office came up with the idea and got the ball rolling. GM Jeff Luhnow’s assistant was one of those who put the illegal intent into emails that were recovered.

It also means that every player, especially the hitters, knew what was going on. Even the pitchers knew. Cue Mike Fiers.

It means that the coaches had to know. And the manager, too. They heard the banging. They saw the monitors. They walked past the laptop.

It also means that few Astros, if any, could plead innocent to not knowing what was going on.

But here is where it gets tricky as MLB ponders their punishment.

A number of players have left Houston since 2017. Carlos Beltran, a player then, is now the manager of the NY Mets. Alex Cora, an Astros coach, went on to manage the Red Sox . Hitting coach, Dave Hudgens, is with the Jays now.

The stain has essentially spread and is no longer containable.

Much discussion has taken place concerning the brazen plan to steal signs. However, little has been said about how MLB should punish those responsible.

That’s where I’m turning it over to you, dear readers, to voice your opinion about what should be done. Cast your vote below – and as always, share your thoughts in the comments section.

Totally Tigers loves your comments!  But please remember that responses are only published if they address today’s topic, are respectful and do not exceed the maximum 3-4 sentence response length.  All rules are at:  https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/commentsrules/.

27 thoughts on “FROM 1919 TO 2019”

  1. Levy fines and take away draft picks is what I voted. Give them (the Astros) a 50 million dollar fine and take away their 1st and 2nd round draft picks for the next three to five years.

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  2. And yet every player in baseball carries a “cheat sheet” and wastes everybody’s life delaying the game before every pitch, as they move players around the field, boring most fans to death, trying to take all of the excitement out of the game. I get that some baseball fans love that aspect of the game, but ALL of the modern day cheats take time, take attention, slow the game down, and as far as I’m concerned, ruin the game. Throw ball, hit ball, catch ball, throw it again.

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    • In my mind, the Original Intent of the game is being subverted by nerds who may or may not have ever played a day of baseball in their lives. Technology eventually changes everything and chokes out those things that we grew up. If it can screw up baseball, it can screw up anything!

      Liked by 3 people

  3. Reminds me of the many cheating scandals revolving around the Patriots. I’m sure they’ll get hit with a big fine, but I don’t think Manfred will have the guts to implement substantial punishment. Hopefully it leads to a stronger policy and higher standards. The game and the fans deserves better.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I am an unabashed fan of Justin Verlander but lost in this discussion is what to do with JV’s Cy Young award. It’s obvious that his won/lost record benefited from the illegal techniques employed by the entire Astro’s organization. While JV’s pitching prowess is undeniable, the patterns of actions left an overall stain on every Astros player. What if an Astro won the batting title? Quite honestly, I’d be in favor of rescinding his Cy Young Award.

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  5. B and/or C would be fine. This all has to start at the top so throw the book at the organization. Players wouldn’t carry out the plan if it didn’t come from the top and as some have mentioned some of them are with other organizations and punishing them could get tricky!

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  6. What’s worse, rigging the game, i.e., the Astros and 1919 Black Sox, or betting on the game, i.e., Pete Rose? The Black Sox were banned for life and Rose is banned from the HOF. Why not actually get tough with everyone related to the Astros who were complicit in the cheating? How about a 5-year ban? Rob Manfred, I am afraid, is not the man to have any positive impact on MLB at this time.

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    • There is a huge difference here. Rose was gambling issue. The Black Sox was a gambling issue. Stealing signs does not reach that level.

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  7. I’m for a combo of loss of draft picks + suspensions of execs. When you add this cheating scandal to the recent issues of demeaning domestic violence/insulting the female reporter and barring a locoal writer per JV’s request, the Astros are bordering on something the NCAA catagorizes as “Lack of Institutional Control”. The punishments for that can be extremely severe.

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  8. my vote (which I hate) : Nothing because cheating in baseball is rampant. If you’re good at it and can get away with it… do it. Seems that’s the way it is not only in baseball but all sports (Patriots), all of society (Lori Laughlin, Jussie Smollett). Sad, but that’s today’s fabric.

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    • Doing nothing solves nothing. A limp-wristed reply solves nothing. Set severe penalties now as to events going forward and show no exceptions in exercising those penalties when the need arises. Make it black and white and be tough.

      Liked by 4 people

  9. All of b,c,d (e). Maybe even a five year ban if caught as someone suggested on here earlier.
    It will still never stop but this should deter some from complex forms of cheating. And possibly the only silver lining here is that in such offenses as these, there is normally a pretty easy trail to follow (i.e.-emails, phone conversations etc, not to mention “deep throats”) so most of it should be detectable.

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    • I went with some combination of b, c, and d. I don’t agree with penalizing the players, but I do support hitting the coaches and owners/management. Fines seem appropriate here. Send a strong signal that this will not be tolerated. Players have some complicity too, but they did it with management and coaches approval and/or direction. But it really falls on the coaches heads and the GM. Did this happen in every game? If so, why didn’t anyone pick up on the trash can banging when it was done only for off speed pitches?

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      • I agree with you Robert, it’s ultimately a management problem. If it’s at the player level, it’s the field manager‘s and coaches’ responsibility. If it’s at the manager level, it belongs to the GM. If it’s the GM, then the owner. If the owner, then Manfred and MLB. In the Astros’ case it’s all of the above. Weave in the Players Association wherever makes sense. A certain amount of cheating at the player level has always been there and always be, but institutionalized by teams and above is egregious and unacceptable.

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  10. It starts at the top. The execs authorized it (and purchased the equipment), management implemented it, players went along for the ride. The problem now is I’m not sure I trust Manfred enough to deal with the issue appropriately.

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  11. Hit them in the wallet. That’ll get their attention most of all. I’m wondering when we’ll hear from JV. He’s a sharp guy. Some reporter should ask him what he thought of the drums. If Fiers figured it out JV could too.

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  12. How can any athlete, in any sport, take pride in winning when they know they or their teammates cheated? There’s more to life than money and the temporary “fame” that comes with victory. What about honor? This disgusts me.

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  13. I voted “e” (parts of “b”, “c”, and “d”). Where there’s money and fame, there will be those that do whatever it takes. I would venture there are new PEDs and ways to cheat testing in MLB and other professional sports. There’s a LOT of money to be made.

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  14. I voted to ban execs, manager, coaches. Seems that would be the most effective and immediate way to prevent this from happening again. Hit where the corruption began.

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  15. I would like probation. Something like no Astro post-season play for 3-5 years. Suspensions for all involved. Also, huge fines for the owner and management.. something that would hurt.. 10’s and 10’s of millions of dollars.

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  16. Voted for the combination although I will echo what other posters have said Mandfred doesn’t seem to have the proverbial guts to put out much in the way of punishment. Won’t have to worry about this with the Tigers because no one in the organization would be smart enough to figure out how to cheat

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  17. I’m sorry but I sense a bit of anti-Houston bias here. Take away the series title? Come on did you all forget that LA was the home team and the Astro’s won 2 of the 4 at LA?

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  19. I have all trust in the incompetence of Manfred to get it wrong. His incompetence is partially responsible for this. Just like the juiced ball… As for the rest I don’t really know. Guess I’d say look at how the NCAA would handle this as a starting point

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