Annica Hansen: Houston Astros Cheating Scandal comes to the fore. Details inside…

Synopsis

The cheating scandal involving the Houston Astros has come to the fore as certain signs were made after studying the opposition’s plans through cameras and sign language.

The New Evil Empire: Houston Astros Look To Erase Stain Of Cheating Scandal With 2022 World Series Championship

Every great story needs a villain. In 2002, Red Sox co-owner Larry Lucchino dubbed the New York Yankees the “evil empire” after the club was outbid for the services of pitcher Jose Contreras. Long the Red Sox’ nemesis, the name played well with the rivalry between the two AL East clubs: the Yankees were the team you loved to hate.

Fast forward to today, it is said that the Houston Astros cheating scandal began in 2017, and the MLB swung into action only in 2019 with an investigation. It was after two Houston players claimed they were stealing signs.

The whistle-blower was Mike Fiers, a pitcher who signed off to Detroit Tigers and Oakland Athletics in a trade-off.

Fiers told the Athletics that wasn’t the way to play the game. However, MLB decided to execute an investigation two years later.

The cheating was known but kept a secret amongst all team members. However, rumours spread fast in 2017 when Chicago White Sox player Danny Farquhar saw trash can banging. Fiers said that the cheats had gone to a level beyond any explanation.

The investigation soon gathered speed, and it came to be known that the Houston Astros used the game-in-progress videos from the centre field camera.

The opposing team’s signs were picked up and relayed to the runner at second base. As soon as the runner reached 2nd Base, the people at the dugout would pass on the message to the runner at second base, who would pass it on to the batter. Also, messages would be sent to Alex Cora’s smartwatch, sometimes relayed from the replay room.

A monitor near the dugout was used to study the signs of the rival team; however, though the cheating was proved, none of the players received any punishment, as no MLB rules were broken.

“We’re here to fuck shit up.”

From the team to the front office, the hope for the Astros has to be that winning in 2022 will somehow remove the stain of the cheating in 2017. Anyone that’s gotten catchup on a white shirt that’s run through the dryer knows that stain may fade, but never leave. And the Astros, are going to have that “cheaters” moniker, maybe for all-time. That’s a pity for those on the roster that were never involved in the scandal. It’s a shame that such a great team may not be respected for being as great as they are. And certainly, the scandal is going to follow Altuve and Bregman when the day comes that they land on Hall of Fame ballots. It appears two cliches are opposing forces with baseball’s new “evil empire”:

If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying. And… Cheaters never prosper.

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