MLB Levels Unprecedented Multifaceted Punishment Against Astros for Sign Stealing
Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for the entire season Monday and the team was fined $5 million for sign-stealing by the team in 2017 and 2018 season.
Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline Monday.
“I find that the conduct of the Astros, and its senior baseball operations executives, merits significant discipline,” Manfred said in a statement. “I base this finding on the fact that the club’s senior baseball operations executives were given express notice in September 2017 that I would hold them accountable for violations of our policies covering sign stealing, and those individuals took no action to ensure that the club’s players and staff complied with those policies during the 2017 postseason and the 2018 regular season.
“The conduct described herein has caused fans, players, executives at other MLB clubs, and members of the media to raise questions about the integrity of games in which the Astros participated. And while it is impossible to determine whether the conduct actually impacted the results on the field, the perception of some that it did causes significant harm to the game.”
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Monday afternoon that Astros owner Jim Crane had fired both Hinch and Luhnow.
Manfred also strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face punishment later.
Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros.
Houston also will forfeit its next two first- and second-round draft picks.
The punishment and its implications were a hot topic on social media.
Not nearly harsh enough. Ashamed to be an @MLB fan today.
— Andy B (@Zaphod85) January 13, 2020
Of all the things in MLB’s investigation and Rob Manfred’s nine-page letter, this might be the most damning.
The Astros, who won the 2017 World Series, used their sign-stealing scheme that postseason. pic.twitter.com/nnSj1P2k7D
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was bench coach for the Astros during the 2017 season, has not yet been punished by MLB. ESPN is reporting the discipline will be “harsh.” https://t.co/VOGV5AYpWe
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) January 13, 2020
The Dodgers had to watch the 2017 Astros and the 2018 Red Sox celebrate World Series titles at Dodger Stadium. Think about that.
— Tyler Kepner (@TylerKepner) January 13, 2020
The #Astros have not publicly spoken yet on who will fill various roles, but it would be a surprise if Joe Espada was not named the temporary manager to fill in for Hinch.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 13, 2020
Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch have been suspended for 1-year by MLB for using technology to cheat in 2017.
The Astros were 8-1 at home during the 2017 postseason and hit .273, compared to a 3-6 record on the road while hitting .208. https://t.co/j3RsYPeO2Z
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 13, 2020
Strip Astros and Red Sox of their title
— Daniel (@D_Franco22) January 13, 2020
Manfred said Hinch was aware of the system but did not bring it to the attention of Luhnow.
The GM told Major League Baseball he was unaware of the system but Manfred held him accountable for the team’s actions.
Manfred also said Crane was not aware.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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