Sign Stealing

A lot of you have heard about the sign stealing that has happened, first with the Astros and then the Red Sox. Major League Baseball has issued a one year suspension for the Astros GM and Manager. The Astros then fired both the GM and Manager. Shortly thereafter, the Red Sox and their manager agreed to part ways. Now, Carlos Beltran who was hired as the manager of the Mets, stepped down as manager. He was a player on the 2017 Astros team.

Let me state, least their be any confusion, I do not agree with the sign stealing. Especially when it comes to using technology to do it. Both organizations were wrong.

However, and this is a big however, it does not rank nor should be put in the same light as the White Sox scandal when players threw the World Series. Nor is it on the same level as Pete Rose betting on baseball. (again I don't care that he bet on his team to win). It might be on the same par as the Minnesota Twins from years ago, where the organization would turn up the air conditioning in the Metrodome when the Twins were at bat.

This does not mean that MLB should strip titles. That is an over reaction. Let's be honest. If a player is on second base and he sees that the catcher is calling for a fast ball, there is way he will try and let the batter know, either by yelling the players first name or last name. That stuff has been going on for year. I do have a problem with this scandal in that they were using technology to do it.

If you want to compare this to something sports related - you can compare it to the Saints Bountygate scandal. BUT ONLY from the perspective of once punishments were doled out, their Super Bowl win that happened during the time of Bountygate was not removed. In my opinion Bountygate was more egregious than the sign stealing. 

Just because you steal a sign does not guarantee success. If a hitter is tipped off that a curve ball or fast ball is coming does not mean or guarantee a hit. Yes, it does help. But that knowledge does not guarantee the batter gets on base or drives a runner in. A hitter will still have to identify the location, adjust to the timing and square the bat on the ball. The hitter also has to adjust to any defensive shift. I am not being naive, I know that it helps knowing whats coming (especially if the pitcher can throw 3 or more pitches for strikes) but that knowledge alone does not translate to success.

One big omission in this whole thing is this. A GM and Managers have been held accountable. But no penalties for any of the players. (you can say that Beltran is being punished now) The players were as involved as the GM and Manager. They bought into it. Some could say, the players should receive fines at the bare minimum. However I would not suggest that as this will be far reaching and how do you determine which players participated. It would be an epic witch hunt.

The one fear I have is this - that Alex Cora, AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow are not able to get jobs in the future, once their suspensions are up. (still waiting to see what Cora's will be). You could also add Beltran to the list. If they continue to house a black eye for years to come then this is wrong.

The best thing MLB can do is just more on. The message has been sent. Let's all move on.