2018 Red Sox cheating scandal

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

MLB.com posted its Hall of Fame voting: all six writers voted for Bonds and Clemens, with four for Sheffield. This is good timing for the media -- with many expressing such scorn and rancor at those who would steal signs, a covert practice that has been part of the game throughout its history. They all took a hypocritical oath.

 

The amount of disdain professional scribes have for those they cover makes one wonder how badly they must be treated by the rich athletes. Either that, or it's a slow offseason.

[Bellhorn04]

From the Globe article:

 

One member of the team confirmed to the Globe that there was constant traffic in 2018 to and from the area where the real-time feed used for determining whether to challenge on-field calls was broadcast. However, that source noted that the real-time video replay system was located next to the BATS video consoles that players use to review in-game at-bats.

 

According to that team member, Red Sox player traffic around those systems was constant — in no small part because players were constantly reviewing their swings and pitch selections from previous at-bats. Indeed, that same team member noted that it could have been possible for sign sequences to be stolen via the BATS system, albeit in a fashion that was slightly (at least one batter) behind real time.

 

...the proximity of the BATS system to the real-time feed also would have created what was characterized as an almost unavoidable temptation to crack teams’ sign sequences, something that could be used to relay pitch types and/or locations via traditional means.

[Bellhorn04]

As far as the Yankees are concerned, there is one key figure who could drag them into this: Carlos Beltran.

 

Beltran was with the 2017 Astros, of course.

 

In December/18 he was hired by the Yankees as a 'special adviser'.

 

After one of the 2019 series between the Red Sox and Yankees, Cora made some slightly cryptic comments about Beltran helping the Yankees with 'details'.

[notin]

Without evidence to support it, that's a pathetic response.

 

With evidence, it's OK.

 

IMHO

 

Without evidence, it’s like accusing David Ortiz of steroid use...

[harmony]

Without evidence, it’s like accusing David Ortiz of steroid use...

Agree. 100 percent.

[vegasbob]

Could it be the finger wagging system is a little archaic and prone to "stealing" ? Not sure a radio system like the NFL has for QB's could work because the catcher might be "overheard" by the hitter but there may be a better system for communicating the pitch selection.

If the current way of pitch selection can be easily decoded , then why should teams simply go on the honor system to n ot determine what is about to happen ? Or is that another unwritten rule" One or two intentional crossups such as an inside fastball when a curve , low and away was "decoded" will cure most hitters of leaning in too quickly.

[Donnie Sadler was short]

And the hypocrisy of MLB is that Clueless Joe who turned a blind eye to the rampant steroid abuse in his clubhouse is no a moral arbiter for MLB. What a joke!!

 

This...Ive said this for years, glad to hear someone else agree.

[OH FOY]

Isn't the Globe Henry's paper. So that's that.

Drellich and Rosenthal pretty reputable especially Rosenthal.

Somebody Snitched.

[notin]

Could it be the finger wagging system is a little archaic and prone to "stealing" ? Not sure a radio system like the NFL has for QB's could work because the catcher might be "overheard" by the hitter but there may be a better system for communicating the pitch selection.

If the current way of pitch selection can be easily decoded , then why should teams simply go on the honor system to n ot determine what is about to happen ? Or is that another unwritten rule" One or two intentional crossups such as an inside fastball when a curve , low and away was "decoded" will cure most hitters of leaning in too quickly.

 

They could only use catchers with telepathic powers. Just train your catcher by making him repeatedly watch "The Men Who Stare At Goats"...

[Donnie Sadler was short]

So Im curious who mightve tipped off MLB about this..lets speculate. Who left after 2018? Kimbrel. Kinsler, anyone else?

[Bellhorn04]

So Im curious who mightve tipped off MLB about this..lets speculate. Who left after 2018? Kimbrel. Kinsler, anyone else?

 

Lou Merloni speculated: Wright, Kelly, Barkett (coach?) and maybe Porcello.

[Elktonnick]

Lou Merloni speculated: Wright, Kelly, Barkett (coach?) and maybe Porcello.

 

Some one who really bears a big grudge against Cora.

[Bellhorn04]

Some one who really bears a big grudge against Cora.

 

Possibly, but not necessarily. The grudge might be against the front office for letting them go. Or they might just think what was done was wrong.

 

Notice that it's mostly pitchers...and Fiers of course was a pitcher.

[Tedballgame]

Without evidence to support it, that's a pathetic response.

 

With evidence, it's OK.

 

IMHO

 

Whats pathetic is you or anyone else thinking only two teams are stealing or trying to steal signs. Keep those blinders on!

[Tedballgame]

Where is the proof the Sox did anything other than a statement from a disgruntled ex-player or employee? That proves nothing. Fake news!

[notin]

Lou Merloni speculated: Wright, Kelly, Barkett (coach?) and maybe Porcello.

 

But no chance it’s Brock Holt?

 

 

Kelly seems like a weak choice. He could have broken this last year if he was so distraught at being overpaid by the Dodgers.

 

Wright also. How often was he even in the dugout last year?

[notin]

Possibly, but not necessarily. The grudge might be against the front office for letting them go. Or they might just think what was done was wrong.

 

Notice that it's mostly pitchers...and Fiers of course was a pitcher.

 

I see where you’re going, but....

 

Larry Bigbie was the big player-whistleblower in the Mitchell Report, and he was an outfielder.

 

Pitcher Jason Grimsley was a big whistleblower for an HGH scandal, but not because he hated seeing hitters get the advantage. Rather it probably had more to do with the FBI showing up at his house and his strong desire to stay out of jail...

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Telling people they can't look at catchers' signs in the video room is ridiculous; what, they're allowed to check replays, but they have to turn their heads if a catcher puts down two fingers? And if you do see an opponent's sign -- and decipher it -- whatever you do, don't tell any of your own players!

 

And coaches on the sidelines and baserunners, make sure you look the other way, too. And gentlemen walking down the sidewalk, if a woman in a building you're passing is getting changed in front of a window with the shade up...

Edited January 8, 2020 by 5GoldGloves:OF,75

[S5Dewey]

I see where you’re going, but....

 

Larry Bigbie was the big player-whistleblower in the Mitchell Report, and he was an outfielder.

 

Pitcher Jason Grimsley was a big whistleblower for an HGH scandal, but not because he hated seeing hitters get the advantage. Rather it probably had more to do with the FBI showing up at his house and his strong desire to stay out of jail...

 

What is it they say... "When you have them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow"?

[Slasher9]

Good article about it:

 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2020/01/07/red-sox-sign-stealing-allegations/Oc6PFgPthS0rJAiIHBjSuI/story.html

 

dammit. i dont have a subscription. is it unethical for you to post the article?

[Slasher9]

MLB.com posted its Hall of Fame voting: all six writers voted for Bonds and Clemens, with four for Sheffield. This is good timing for the media -- with many expressing such scorn and rancor at those who would steal signs, a covert practice that has been part of the game throughout its history. They all took a hypocritical oath.

 

The amount of disdain professional scribes have for those they cover makes one wonder how badly they must be treated by the rich athletes. Either that, or it's a slow offseason.

 

and only 2 for Manny? what a f***ing joke. Manny was the greatest RH hitter of all time. the writers can eat a big bag of D's.

[Slasher9]

its pretty simple answer. earpiece for the pitcher and catcher. dugout coach calls the pitch. he can hold a clipboard in front of his face to stop the lip readers that teams will surely hire. time for baseball to embrace technology. also, think how much this will speed up the game. why wasnt this done 5 years ago? you know, like robot umps. oh, because: Tradition!

[Bellhorn04]

dammit. i dont have a subscription. is it unethical for you to post the article?

 

They give you one free article each time LOL

[Bellhorn04]

its pretty simple answer. earpiece for the pitcher and catcher. dugout coach calls the pitch. he can hold a clipboard in front of his face to stop the lip readers that teams will surely hire. time for baseball to embrace technology. also, think how much this will speed up the game. why wasnt this done 5 years ago? you know, like robot umps. oh, because: Tradition!

 

Somehow I'm now envisioning a future where someone figures out a way to hack into the robot umps...

[mvp 78]

Somehow I'm now envisioning a future where someone figures out a way to hack into the robot umps...

 

I’m here for the robot revolution!

[jad]

its pretty simple answer. earpiece for the pitcher and catcher. dugout coach calls the pitch. he can hold a clipboard in front of his face to stop the lip readers that teams will surely hire. time for baseball to embrace technology. also, think how much this will speed up the game. why wasnt this done 5 years ago? you know, like robot umps. oh, because: Tradition!

 

Yup. Works in football. If you're worried the hitter might hear the call, all the dugout has to do is tell P/C which sign will be valid. Catcher still calls the game. (That could probably be done w/o technology as well). For MLB, the best part will be that this scandal goes away.

[OH FOY]

So your telling me JBJ hit .234 and .225, and he knew what was coming? That scares me, when he doesn't know.

[OH FOY]

They give you one free article each time LOL

 

Cheap Bastards.

[Bellhorn04]

Cheap Bastards.

 

The online subscription rate for the Globe is a little too steep for me!

[Slasher9]

So your telling me JBJ hit .234 and .225, and he knew what was coming? That scares me, when he doesn't know.

 

he was .333 / 1.024 with a runner on 2nd base.