Justin Verlander Surprises BBWAA Dinner With Ill-Timed Comment on Astros Technological Advancements
By Mark Powell
Either Justin Verlander takes this whole sign-stealing scandal far too lightly, or he needs someone to read over his speeches with a fine-tooth comb.
JV accepted the AL Cy Young Award at the BBWAA dinner Saturday night, and in his speech dared to make some comments on the Astros' "technological and analytical advancements." This was greeted by some laughter in the room, but we're not sure if Verlander meant it as a joke. For his sake, we hope not.
At NY BBWAA dinner, Verlander accepted AL Cy Young Award and noted how the Astros were “technologically and analytically advanced” as a way to praise the organization. But that phrase caused some in the audience to guffaw. Verlander waited until noise subsided before resuming
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 26, 2020
The Astros players reportedly gave their testimony of events in exchange for anonymity, meaning Verlander is free to make all the jokes he wants should he choose.
MLB takes the Astros transgressions very seriously, and even though Verlander and Houston's pitching staff didn't benefit from the ordeal as much as, say, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, they were still bystanders who did nothing but reap the rewards of the end product -- a World Series title.
Justin Verlander notes that the Astros are very analytically and technologically advanced....followed by a lot of laughter.
— David Waldstein (@DavidWaldstein) January 26, 2020
Thus far, Houston has done anything but take this in stride. No Astros players have addressed the situation directly and/or apologized, with the likes of now-White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel biting the bullet for them.
Verlander's comments won't do Houston any favors.