OT: Astros going to new lengths

Chris_Sanders

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This is as bad as steroids in my opinion and should be treated as such.
 
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GatorAZ

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This is as bad as steroids in my opinion and should be treated as such.

In my opinion it’s not even close either. If a guy wants to put unhealthy amounts of chemicals in his body that may or may not help his performance is one thing but dozens of people working together to cheat the opposing team is another. The Yankees also said they were whistling from their dugouts seconds before pitches in the ALCS and Houston laughed it off. That was before Fiers dimmed out his own team. MLB has some pressure on them for this one.
 

Chris_Sanders

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Yeah you are right. Someone found a HR in the playoffs where the banging occurred right before the off speed was hit out of the park. This is going to be a rabbit hole of conspiracy where games were proven to be impacted.
 

BC867

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In my opinion it’s not even close either. If a guy wants to put unhealthy amounts of chemicals in his body that may or may not help his performance is one thing but dozens of people working together to cheat the opposing team is another. The Yankees also said they were whistling from their dugouts seconds before pitches in the ALCS and Houston laughed it off. That was before Fiers dimmed out his own team. MLB has some pressure on them for this one.
Either way, it replaces skill with cheating.

It is a microcosm of our society. Runaway irresponsibility.
 
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GatorAZ

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Either way, it replaces skill with cheating.

It is a microcosm of our society. Runaway irresponsibility.

We’ve gone over this before and I’ve posted sources of players using PED’s from back in the 60’s/70’s. Pharmaceutical grade stimulants were in the coffee pots to use freely.

This one seems like only are pitchers subject to disadvantages. Not only with the juiced ball but teams knowing your pitches. Changing signs to avoid the guy on 2nd base is something you can deal with. High def hidden camera relaying the signs to the dugout within a split second is another level. The Red Sox got fined for the Apple Watch thing so this was clearly outlawed.
 

AZCB34

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Either way, it replaces skill with cheating.

It is a microcosm of our society. Runaway irresponsibility.

It doesn't replace the skill. A player can know exactly what pitch is coming and still fail. Stealing signs has been going on since the game began and now we are in the technology age.

I don't like it but there are algorithm programs that can probably tell you what pitch is coming that can be used as well.

Let's not act like the Dbacks aren't trying to steal signs to get an edge.
 

Chris_Sanders

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It doesn't replace the skill. A player can know exactly what pitch is coming and still fail. Stealing signs has been going on since the game began and now we are in the technology age.

I don't like it but there are algorithm programs that can probably tell you what pitch is coming that can be used as well.

Let's not act like the Dbacks aren't trying to steal signs to get an edge.

Except it is illegal according to MLB rules to electronically steal signs, which is what they did here
 

BC867

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Except it is illegal according to MLB rules to electronically steal signs, which is what they did here
I haven't thought this through, but I'll post it to see how it sounds.

Breaking rules are breaking rules. But, even then, there are degrees.

When it gets to the point that it becomes the norm, rather than a
few offenders, it is time to react.

I posted the occasion when the D-backs had (I don't remember if
it was the tying run or lead run) on 3rd base in the 9th inning and
the shift was on.

All our batter had to do was poke it through the open side of the
infield. But he stubbornly hit it into the shift. And it we lost.

When swinging for a home run becomes more important than
winning the game, it is time to react.

As I posted, a 20-home run season is not worth all of the popups
and strikeouts that go along with it. Whether it is a light hitter
or a power hitter.

If I were a Major League hitter, my go-to swing would be a line
drive into the gap in right-center or left-center. Pick your pitches.

Put yourself in scoring position or drive in runs to keep a rally going.

All-or-nothing all the time doesn't usually provide good results, no
matter what the situation.

And that goes for the Commissioner of Baseball using juiced
balls, but unilaterally changing it for the World Series. And
lying about it.

Or sign stealing using modern technology to turn the game
into a bore and give one aspect of the game an advantage.

Doping went too far and wound up keeping players out of
the Hall of Fame because who knew if they deserved it on
their own.

Just like Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Black Sox scandal.

Once again, it is time to cleanse the system.
 

Ronin

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Another cheating allegation has been levied against the Houston Astros.

According to SNY's Andy Martino, the New York Yankees complained to MLB "about blinking lights in center field" during Game 6 of the 2019 American League Championship Series at Houston's Minute Maid Park.

"The blinking ceased after the early innings," Martino wrote. "The Yankees also suspected that Houston was alternating whistling and hand signs, depending on the inning, and that the type of whistling varied depending on the pitch."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...d-blinking-lights-to-steal-signs-in-2019-alcs
 

AzCards777

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IMO this is bull poo! If allegations are confirmed, You start with the Manager Ban him for life for cheating. You strip the WS away and penalize the team ( picks, fines).

Stealing signs from the pitcher is part of the game...but using technology to relay signs is straight b.s. and has no place in baseball!

Saw the video where Stringer had an 0-2 count and belted a HR as he knew what was coming. Totally unfair!
 

Ronin

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Brian McTaggart
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·
15m

Rob Manfred said Astros investigation is "probably the most thorough investigation” his office has ever done. He said 60 witnesses have been interviewed and 76,000 emails reviewed, as well as "trove" of instant messages.

No timetable on when it will wrap up.
 

BC867

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Brian McTaggart
@brianmctaggart

·
15m

Rob Manfred said Astros investigation is "probably the most thorough investigation” his office has ever done. He said 60 witnesses have been interviewed and 76,000 emails reviewed, as well as "trove" of instant messages.

No timetable on when it will wrap up.
Sixty witnesses and 76,000 emails. 76,000. Wow!

'Glad to see that MLB is trying to keep their Leagues somewhat honest.
 

Ronin

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Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan)
1/13/20, 11:56 AM
BREAKING: Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch have been suspended for one year after an MLB investigation found the team used technology to cheat during its World Series-winning 2017 season, sources familiar with the punishment tell ESPN.
 

Dback Jon

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Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan)
1/13/20, 11:56 AM
BREAKING: Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch have been suspended for one year after an MLB investigation found the team used technology to cheat during its World Series-winning 2017 season, sources familiar with the punishment tell ESPN.

Whoa!
 

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