Major League Baseball brought the hammer down on the Houston Astros after an investigation into allegations about the team using technology to steal signs during the 2017 season, in which they won the World Series. The MLB's ruling led the team's owner Jim Crane to fire manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Lunhow.
Players are getting off free, despite the fact that many actively participated in the scheme. Sign-stealing has long been part of the game and is perfectly legal when players decipher their opponents' signals on the field of play, but the Astros took things too far for the league when they brought technology into it. Houston would reportedly rout the feed from their home park's center field camera to a screen in the clubhouse where opposing team's signs would be decoded. Someone would then bang on a trashcan to let hitters know what pitch was on its way.
But in a nine-page letter, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said it was too "difficult and impractical" to discipline every player who had a hand in the tactics. So, instead the team's higher-ups, manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Lunhow, took the fall. They each received one-year suspensions and were stunningly dismissed moments after Manfred's announcement by Crane, who Manfred said was not aware of the scheme. Houston was also hit with a $5 million fine, the maximum allowed by MLB, and the team will have to forfeit their first and second round draft picks in 2020 and 2021.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It's the last bit that could deter other franchises from following in the Astros' footsteps. Losing the draft picks could sting for a while, especially considering Houston's success was built off the ability to draft and develop youngsters.
-
The Icelandic women’s strike 50 years onIn The Spotlight The nation is ‘still no paradise’ for women, say campaigners
-
Mall World: why are people dreaming about a shopping centre?Under The Radar Thousands of strangers are dreaming about the same thing and no one sure why
-
Why scientists are attempting nuclear fusionThe Explainer Harnessing the reaction that powers the stars could offer a potentially unlimited source of carbon-free energy, and the race is hotting up
-
FBI nabs dozens in alleged NBA gambling ringSpeed Read Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier are among 34 people indicted in connection with federal gambling investigations
-
Biggest No. 1 draft pick flops in MLB historyin the spotlight Injuries, bad luck and disappointing performances result in draft infamy for these unlucky players
-
Trump orders NFL team to change name, or elseSpeed Read The president wants the Washington Commanders to change its name back to the 'Redskins'
-
Thunder beat Pacers to clinch NBA FinalsSpeed Read Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals
-
Have the Rockies reached a breaking point?the explainer Baseball's most aimless franchise takes aim at a record set just last year
-
MLB lifts ban on Pete Rose, other dead playersspeed read 16 deceased players banned for gambling and other scandals can now be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
-
Torpedo bats could revolutionize baseball and players are taking noticeIn the Spotlight The new bats have been used by the New York Yankees with tremendous success
-
Canada beats US in charged 4 Nations hockey finalSpeed Read 'You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted after the game
