Jeff Luhnow, A.J. Hinch.Photo: Bob Levey/Getty; Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty
On Monday, the Astros fired general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch after the league confirmed the team used cameras to steal pitching signs during the 2017 season. While the MLB suspended both Luhnow and Hinch for 2020, Astros owner Jim Crane opted to go a step further in firing them both.
“Neither one of them started this, but neither one of them did anything about it,” Crane said, according toESPN. “We need to move forward with a clean slate.”
The Astros also received a $5 million fine and will lose their first- and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021 as part of their punishment.
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Theinvestigation kicked off in November when former Astros pitcher Mike Fiersdetailed toThe Athletichow Houston used a hidden video feed to observe opponents’ pitching signs.
For instance, if a team figures out that the opposing catcher is calling for a fastball when he raises two fingers to his pitcher, their hitter can benefit from knowing what pitch is coming.
According toESPN, stealing signs isn’t prohibited in the MLB, but it is seen as bad etiquette. But it is prohibited to use electronic equipment to help steal signs.
According toESPN, the scandal was largely player-driven and Luhnow and Hinch did not directly participate in the scheme. Hinch even tried to damage the television the players were using to watch signs.
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Many on social media were not satisfied with the punishment, and many called for the Astros’ 2017 title to be rescinded. Some of the most vocal were fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost to the Astros when the World Series went to seven games in 2017.
“2017 was the last chance I had to watch the Dodgers win a World Series championship before my dad passed away,” wrote oneTwitteruser. “This was the only thing my dad ever wanted. So before you tell someone ‘it’s just a sport’ do us all a favor and shut the f— up.”
“The championship itself – they went seven games with the Yankees and Dodgers – is forever tainted. Sad day for the sport,” addedESPNcommentator Mike Greenberg.
Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger expressed his disappointment regarding the findings.
“It sucks, man,” Bellinger toldESPN. “We were close, but we did it the right way.”
source: people.com
