Houston Astros: Caught Stealing | Dark Arts | 3
American Scandal
Deep Dive
Why did the Houston Astros decide to use a TV monitor near their dugout in 2017?
The Astros wanted to improve the efficiency of relaying stolen signs to their batters, eliminating the need for multiple hand signals and phone calls from the video replay room deep within the stadium.
How did the Houston Astros initially relay stolen signs to their batters?
Initially, someone from the video replay room would call the bench coach, who would then use hand signals to relay the signs to a runner on second base, who would signal the batter.
What was the role of Tom Coke Vasa in the Astros' sign-stealing operation?
Tom Coke Vasa was in charge of gathering data about opposing teams, including decoding their signs using a secret catalog called Code Breaker.
Why did AJ Hinch, the Astros' manager, not shut down the illicit sign-stealing efforts?
Hinch feared losing the respect of his clubhouse and potentially his job, as he had struggled with authority issues in his previous managerial role.
How did the Astros' trash can system work during home games?
A player or staff member would watch a live feed of the opposing catcher's signs on a TV monitor near the dugout and bang on a nearby plastic trash can to signal the batter about the upcoming pitch.
What was the reaction of Justin Verlander, a new Astros pitcher, to learning about the team's sign-stealing scheme?
Verlander was initially shocked but accepted it, understanding that teams often push the rules to their limits and wanting to focus on winning the World Series.
How did Major League Baseball respond to the sign-stealing allegations against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in 2017?
Both teams were fined small amounts, but no games were forfeited, and no players or coaches were suspended. The commissioner issued a memo reiterating that using replay rooms to decode signs during games was considered cheating.
Why did the Astros stop using the trash can system towards the end of the 2017 season?
The system was abandoned after an opposing pitcher seemed to notice the banging, leading to panic and paranoia about getting caught.
What was the final outcome of the 2017 World Series?
The Houston Astros won the World Series, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in a seven-game series.
- Astros used a video replay room to decode signs.
- Initial attempts were slow and cumbersome.
- Alex Cora and Tom Cocke Vasa brainstormed a more efficient system.
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