Complete Timeline of Houston Astros Cheating Scandal
By Sean Facey
This MLB offseason has been nothing short of insane. What started out as one player airing some dirty laundry about his former team has now spiraled into massive cheating scandal, resulting in multiple investigations by MLB and a number of people losing their jobs.
The Houston Astros' recent success, including their 2017 World Series win, has been called into doubt. So how did we get to where we are now? Let's take a look back at what has transpired over the past few months.
Nov. 12, 2019: Mike Fiers Speaks to "The Athletic"
On Nov. 12, 2019, former Houston Astros pitcher Mike Fiers got the ball rolling on the cheating scandal when he alleged in speaking with "The Athletic" that the team was stealing signs illegally during their 2017 championship run.
Specifically, he said that the team used a camera in center field to do so.
Former Houston Astros pitcher Mike Fiers told The Athletic that the team used a camera in center field during their championship season in 2017. https://t.co/aEv9Rvl4kZ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 12, 2019
Nov. 12, 2019: Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran Named in Report
Cora and Beltran, managers of the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets at the time of the report's release, were named as the main perpetrators of the sign-stealing scheme in Houston in 2017.
This immediately put their futures as managers in doubt.
Nov. 14, 2019: MLB Opens Investigation Into Astros
A few days after the report from The Athletic, MLB opened up an investigation into Fiers' allegations. Video monitors were instructed to listen for any suspicious banging sounds in videos from Minute Maid Park.
MLB will expand investigation into sign-stealing by 2017 Astros and other teams and any punishments “could be unlike anything seen in the sport’s recent history”, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/72kjuMoNvJ
— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) November 14, 2019
Jan. 7, 2020: The Athletic Releases New Report on Red Sox
On Jan. 7, The Athletic released a new report alleging that Alex Cora, who joined the Boston Red Sox as their manager prior to the 2018 season, masterminded another cheating system in Boston.
REPORT: Red Sox stole signs electronically during 2018 championship season. MORE: https://t.co/6Y72axKrGc pic.twitter.com/3IYmsY5o1v
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 7, 2020
The league then opened up another investigation, this one into the Red Sox.
Jan. 13, 2020: Hinch and Luhnow Suspended and Fired, Astros Penalized
Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were each fired by team owner Jim Crane for their roles in the sign-stealing scandal after the MLB suspended the both of them for one year.
Breaking: Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch have been suspended for one year.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 13, 2020
An MLB investigation found the team used technology to cheat during its World Series-winning 2017 season, sources familiar with the punishment tell @JeffPassan. pic.twitter.com/waSkuTaoMO
The team was fined $5 million and stripped of first- and second-round picks for the 2020 and 2021 drafts.
Jan. 14, 2020: Red Sox, Cora Part Ways
The Boston Red Sox parted ways with their manager just a year removed from a World Series win following the punishment handed down by the league. Cora's punishment is still pending, but many are expecting for it to be significant.
Manager Alex Cora has been fired by the Boston Red Sox amid Major League Baseball's investigation into sign-stealing by the Houston Astros. Cora was previously the Astros' bench coach. https://t.co/Q8ELTdatVD
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 15, 2020
Jan. 16, 2020: Mets, Beltran Part Ways
Before he even got the chance to manage a game, Beltran, who was first believed to have stepped down from his post with the Mets, agreed to mutually part ways with the team because of his role in the scandal and the bad press it was bringing New York. His termination made him the third manager to be forced out of a job as a result of the allegations.