In 2001, many of the 21 Giants players still alive at the time, and one surviving coach, told the Wall Street Journal that beginning on July 20, the team used a telescope in the Giants clubhouse behind center field, manned by infielder Hank Schenz and later by coach Herman Franks, to steal the finger signals of opposing catchers.
Stolen signs were relayed via a buzzer wire connected from the clubhouse to telephones in the Giants dugout and bullpen—one buzz for a fastball, two for an off-speed pitch. “Every hitter knew what was coming,” said pitcher Al Gettel.
“Made a big difference.”[41] Joshua Prager, the author of the Journal article, outlined the evidence in greater detail in a 2008 book.[42]
Although backup catcher Sal Yvars told Prager that he relayed Rube Walker’s fastball sign to Thomson from the bullpen, Thomson repeatedly insisted that he was concentrating on the situation, and did not take the sign.
[43] Branca made no public comment at the time. “I made a decision not to speak about it,” he said. “I didn’t want to look like I was crying over spilled milk.”[41] Later he told The New York Times, “I didn’t want to diminish a legendary moment in baseball. And even if Bobby knew what was coming, he had to hit it ...
Knowing the pitch doesn’t always help.”[44] In another interview, Branca pointed out that luck and circumstance were involved as well; had the coin toss gone the other way, Thomson’s Shot would not have been a home run at Ebbets Field—nor would the game-winner he hit in the first playoff game have been a homer at the Polo Grounds.[9]