The Houston Astros cheated during the 2017 season when they won the World Series.
After an exhaustive investigation, Major League Baseball itself said so today.
The Boston Red Sox are also under investigation for cheating during the 2018 season, when they won the World Series.
MLB and commissioner Rob Manfred announced punishments for the Astros stemming from the club’s alleged sign-stealing scheme.
It was revealed in November that the team devised a system to illegally steal signs throughout their 2017 World Series championship season.
This was systematic cheating of the highest order over a two-year period.
Here is a recap of the discipline:
- Manager A.J. Hinch suspended for one year.
- Hinch was then fired by the Astros.
- GM Jeff Luhnow suspended for one year.
- Luhnow was then fired by the Astros.
- Former assistant GM Brandon Taubman suspended one year.
- Astros forfeit their first- and second- round draft picks the next two years.
- Astros fined $5 million, the maximum allowed under MLB’s constitution.
Manfred hit Hinch with the third-longest suspension of a manager in baseball history.
Only Pete Rose, banned in 1989 for life for gambling received a longer punishment.
Manfred released a nine-page report detailing MLB’s investigation and explaining how he arrived at the discipline.
“I believe transparency with our fans and our clubs regarding what occurred is extremely important, and this report is my attempt to achieve that objective,” he wrote.
Media reports alleged the Astros stole signs using a camera fixated on the catcher’s signs, a monitor with a live feed in the tunnel between the dugout and the clubhouse, and by banging nearby garbage cans to relay the signs to the hitter.
MLB’s investigation found the sign-stealing scheme evolved over time.
“Most” position players on the 2017 Astros were involved in the sign-stealing scheme, either by decoding signs or relaying signs or receiving signs while at the plate, according to the report.
“Many of the players who were interviewed admitted that they knew the scheme was wrong because it crossed the line from what the player believed was fair competition and/or violated MLB rules,” the report says.
Furthermore, the report says many Astros players said they would have ceased stealing signs immediately had Hinch told them to stop engaging in improper conduct.
Also, some players said they did not believe the sign-stealing scheme was effective, and more distracting than helpful to hitters, and there was a sense of “panic” when Astros players believed White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar picked up on the garbage can banging in September of 2017.
Alex Cora, Houston’s bench coach in 2017 and the Red Sox’s manager since 2018, is heavily implicated throughout the report.
He’s said to have called down to the video room to get signs early in 2017, which constitutes improper usage of a dugout phone, and he is also the only non-player mentioned by name who had a role in devising the garbage can system.
“Cora was involved in developing both the banging scheme and utilizing the replay review room to decode and transmit signs. Cora participated in both schemes, and through his active participation, implicitly condoned the players’ conduct,” the report says.
The Red Sox are currently under investigation for a 2018 sign-stealing scheme and Cora’s punishment will be announced at a later date.
Should the Astros have to vacate their 2017 World Series title?
Many on social media said yes, with the hashtag #cheaters trending late Monday.