MLB Finds No Evidence of Astros' 'Whistling' Sign Stealing After Investigation
By Parker White
Over the last 24 hours or so, there's been plenty of buzz about the Houston Astros stealing signs by "whistling" at each other, specifically in Game 1 of the ALCS, because that is where our discourse lies right now.
Well, rest easy, because MLB investigated this assumption and they found no evidence of any wrongdoing.
As first reported by @martinonyc, the #Yankees suspected the #Astros used a whistling sound from their dugout in Game 1 of the ALCS as a way to convey signs to hitters. Per sources, MLB investigated and found Astros did not engage in any activities prohibited by MLB policies.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 17, 2019
Sign stealing has been part of baseball for forever, but whistling or using any other signal from the dugout to give a hitter an advantage is not allowed, at least per the unwritten rules. According to MLB officials in the Astros dugout in Game 1 and Game 2, they never heard any whistling.
Teams are prohibited from signaling to hitters from the dugout through whistling or other means. MLB had an official in the camera well next to the #Astros’ dugout in G1 and one in the back of the dugout in G2. Neither officials nor umpires heard whistling. #Yankees won G1, 7-0.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 17, 2019
Of course, New York Yankees third base coach Phil Nevin would object to these findings, as he emphatically heard the Astros whistling to relay signs during their Minute Maid Park home games.
There was jawing about this on Game 1, and believe me — there are a bunch of people who are strongly convinced they heard whistling and believe they know why. But from a discipline perspective, this is settled.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) October 17, 2019
It wouldn't be a shock if the Astros stole signs in this series, but as far as whistling is concerned, the MLB didn't find any evidence, so it's hard to hand down any type of discipline.
If you're the Yankees, all you can do is do a better a job of disguising your signs. That's probably not the answer they want to hear, but there's really nothing else they can do now that the MLB has concluded this sign-stealing investigation.
Maybe try to find some Apple Watches?