Posted on 02/12/2020 6:35:42 PM PST by NRx
…The Astros’ system for using electronics to steal signs came into full public view Nov. 12, when former pitcher Mike Fiers exposed the machinations in a story published by the Athletic. The report prompted an MLB investigation that resulted in the suspension and firing of both Luhnow and Hinch. Paranoia about the Astros’ methods had gripped baseball, affecting the way other teams scouted and prepared to face Houston — in some cases crippling officials with worry.
According to people at all levels throughout the sport — players, clubhouse staff members, scouts and executives — the idea that the Astros employed nefarious methods was an open secret.
“The whole industry knows they’ve been cheating their a---- off for three or four years,” said an executive from a team that faced the Astros in the playoffs during that span. “Everybody knew it.”
...He estimated “10 to 12” teams had complained to MLB about the Astros over the years. An executive from another team agreed with that number.
While the logistics of the Astros’ scheme — a camera in center field, a video monitor near the dugout, banging on trash cans to signal pitches and what the Wall Street Journal reported was an operation called “Codebreaker” to decipher the catcher’s signs — remained unknown as it was happening, suspicions that games against the Astros were contested on an uneven playing field skyrocketed.
“It was a big open secret, really big,” said a veteran scout from another team whose coverage included the Astros. “Throughout baseball, throughout the scouting community, for several years, not just starting in 2017. I would say probably 2016, maybe earlier, through [2019], things were going on that were blatantly against the rules.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Wish I was surprised at the number of folks here that think cheating is okay and baseball is boring.
Yup, pretty depressing.
Freegards
...should be penalized...
by having to watch the games.
So you’ve watched some games of it then?
Yes, season tickets during a few of the Boochy years with the Giants, get to a few DDodger or Padres now
You mentioned that soccer players often run more than 10 kilometers in a game, which sounds impressive until you put it in context. For a 90-minute game that’s an average speed of about 4.2 miles per hour, which means players are operating at an average pace of a brisk walk. This is where soccer’s limited-substitution rules work against it. Just watch a soccer game and compare it to the frenetic pace of a hockey game with its free substitution and constant changes of personnel on the ice.
It is silly.
What makes soccer so dull is that you have no clue what's going on. No matter what is going on while the ball is in play, either team might score in the next ten seconds.
ML/NJ
I care.
Hurts the sport. The entire reason for rules is to make achievement singular. If you cheat, it isn’t a game anymore.
I love baseball. I wish Kennesaw Mountain were still around to vacate the last three years worth of Astros victories and titles.
It’s also why I can’t stand the Patriots.
Don’t cheat. That’s why we have the WWE. It’s a show, not a game. Harlem Globetrotters. It’s entertaining, but not a sport.
That should make soccer MORE exciting, not less. The dullest sports are those like baseball and football where offensive “possession” is heavily controlled.
Beltran’s reputation will never be the same.
No wonder he was able to get so many clutch hits.
SAY IT AIN’T SO, JOsE.
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