The Houston Astros Cheating Scandal, Explained

The baseball offseason is already off to an eventful start, but not for reasons anyone could have anticipated.

Just a few weeks after the conclusion of the World Series, several allegations have emerged claiming that the Houston Astros had used an unauthorized camera system to steal signs from opponents during their championship run in 2017. The controversy gained traction after an interview surfaced between reporter Ken Rosenthal and former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers. In the interview, Fiers, who played for Houston during the 2017 season before being cut from the team’s playoff roster, opens up about his former team’s secret rule-breaking operation, explaining how the entire Astros organization was in on the act. Using a hidden camera installed in the centerfield wall of their home ballpark, a direct video feed would be sent to the Astros’ clubhouse which allowed them to instantly identify the opposing catcher’s hand signals, giving their batters the unfair advantage of knowing exactly what pitch was about to be thrown.

Since the initial report, three other anonymous Astros representatives have confirmed the allegations, and matters were only made worse after a video from internet personality Jomboy Media went viral on Twitter and YouTube, breaking down what seems to be hard video evidence of sign stealing (warning: explicit language). As the controversy has developed, even more allegations have emerged, including anecdotes of coaches encouraging cheating in the playoffs, players frantically hiding TVs from MLB officials, and even using an earpiece to communicate with players in the bullpen.

This is obviously a very bad look for Houston, but the scandal highlights an issue that extends far beyond the Astros organization. Major League Baseball as a whole has a massive problem with the enforcement of its anti-cheating policies (or lack thereof), and several teams have been finding ways to exploit the league’s loose conduct for years, not just the Astros. However, the scope of this particular scandal and the public backlash surrounding it seems to have finally instigated an effort for change. The MLB Players’ Association is set to launch a major investigation next week which will include interviews with Astros manager AJ Hinch, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, and New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran, all of whom have connections with the 2017 World Champion Astros team. The development of this investigation will continue to be one of the biggest stories in baseball this offseason as its results could have major lasting implications on the future of the sport.

By Jaden Ellman