MLB Needs to Ban Whoever Was Responsible in Astros Sign-Stealing Incident From 2017 | TOMMY'S TAKES
By Thomas Carannante
When you cheat or break the rules, you face the consequences. It's time for the Houston Astros to come on down!
Pete Rose is still banned from the MLB for life for gambling despite countless appeals. Former Atlanta Braves GM John Coppolella was banned for life for skirting the international signing rules and illegally tampering with players. Chris Correa, who plead guilty to illegally accessing the Astros computer database to gain intel, was sentenced to 46 months in prison (in addition to probation and a number of fines). The MLB banned the Chicago White Sox players responsible for fixing the 1919 World Series.
Sure most of those incidents are a bit more drastic than the Astros stealing signs, but guess what? They cheated and it resulted in a championship, so somebody needs to fall on the sword.
Astros using cameras to steal signs, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/rncm6qzXxw
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 12, 2019
Mike Fiers, a pitcher on that 2017 World Series team, dimed out the Astros in a story that's been published, widely distributed, and is now the talk of Major League Baseball. After all we've learned about this organization over the past two years, it's probably time to make an example out of them, right? Rob Manfred? Anybody home?
We don't really need to further elaborate upon all of these instances and downright shameful acts. It's clear there is a lack of a moral compass within the Astros organization, which couldn't be better exemplified in the fallout of Brandon Taubman allegedly directing some harsh words at female reporters.
The Astros stole signs electronically in 2017 using a center field camera, as multiple sources have confirmed to The Athletic.@Ken_Rosenthal and @EvanDrellich detail the process and explain how this is a part of a much broader problem around MLB. https://t.co/1uDvm4hNBK
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) November 12, 2019
Imagine if a team like the Yankees did this? We already know the backlash when this happens to a powerhouse organization like the New England Patriots. There's outrage in every corner of every fanbase. The Astros cannot be treated differently. We've been given a clear pattern of their behavior, and the Astros have a clear blueprint on how to execute it.
Manfred needs to understand this is a serious issue. It's not sour fans looking to bring down the hammer out of jealousy or anger. This franchise has disrespected more pillars of the sport than we could've ever imagined and now those pulling the strings need to be shown the door.