The multiple years of success the Houston Astros have enjoyed is now under scrutiny amid allegations they electronically stole signs from opponents during games played at Minute Maid Park.
The practice came to light when Mike Fiers, who was on the 2017 Astros team that won the World Series, shared that the team set up a camera in center field and had a representative in the tunnel by the dugout who would watch the feed and relay what pitch was coming.
That was said to have been accomplished by hitting a trash can and/or with loud whistling. Although the focus is on the 2017 season, MLB’s investigation has expanded to include 2018 and 2019 as well.
As that process continues to unfold, memorabilia creator BobbleHouse designed a bobblehead that is inspired by the Astros’ alleged cheating.
Just gonna leave this right here and slowly back away… 😬@wyshynski pic.twitter.com/pPg6VgPJMA
— BobbleHouse® (@BobbleHouse16) November 22, 2019
If the wake of Houston purportedly stealing signs, attention has again been given to their World Series matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The seven-game series was deemed one of the best in MLB history but now has a cloud hovering over it.
For their part, the Dodgers have largely avoided discussing the scandal and blaming the potential cheating for their loss. Particularly Yu Darvish, who up until recent weeks was just presumed to have tipped pitches in his two World Series outings.
Darvish questioned if the Astros were successful in stealing signs on the road as well, but added he believes they would have won the World Series regardless of their possible actions.
Meanwhile, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman acknowledged there was some concern the Astros picking up on signs was a realistic possibility. He believes the Dodgers have improved with protecting against being the victim of such practice.
Kenley Jansen largely dismissed the matter and Joc Pederson, though frustrated, echoed that sentiment.
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