Latest Report Indicates MLB Suspected Astros Sign Stealing Earlier This Season

With each passing day, a new wrinkle is added to the story of the Houston Astros' attempt to steal signs over the last three seasons, with the latest development looking like a potential crisis for the MLB.

According to a report in the Houston Chronicle, the league had at least a suspicion that the Astros were using this method of electronic sign stealing, and advised those working at Minute Maid Park to put a stop to any loud banging they hear.

While the league might have advised those working at Minute Maid to keep an eye on the Astros trying something nefarious, the staff claims they were not "implicitly told" to watch and see if the team tried to steal signs.

The report in The Athletic which served as the key that opened this Pandora's Box of sign-stealing accusations only detailed Houston's efforts to cheat in their 2017 championship push. If the league failed to report sign-stealing over the last two years despite at least some form of prior knowledge, that'll be a major black eye.

The Astros were destined to be exposed, as their method was both primitive and blatantly obvious. However, the fact the league had at least an inkling that something was amiss and allowed this to continue as long as it did is certainly not a good look.