VIDEO: Nationals Broadcaster Noticed Astros Potentially Attempting to Steal Signs During 2019 World Series
By Jerry Trotta
Though no concrete evidence has been provided, it's still really up for debate whether the Houston Astros' sign-stealing ventures extended into the 2019 postseason. But now, we've found some additional suspicions in real time. During Game 7 of the World Series, Washington Nationals radio broadcaster Dave Jageler referenced the lack of strikeouts star pitcher Max Scherzer was generating. This analysis came while Scherzer and catcher Yan Gomes were holding a meeting to presumably change their signs as one Alex Bregman -- arguably the greatest villain in Houston's scandal outside of Jose Altuve -- walked up to the plate.
Wow.
— 2020 Astros Shame Tour (@AsteriskTour) March 25, 2020
During Game 7, radio guy @DaveJageler notices Scherzer and Gomes suddenly changing signs:
“The Nationals are worried about any sort of shenanigans... relative to the other side trying to steal signs.” pic.twitter.com/5pXIjRTAhc
This could just be an example of the Nationals being extra paranoid, and rightfully so. However, cynical Astros haters won't hesitate to say that this footage is incredibly incriminating. After all, it's not often that a hurler of Scherzer's billing fails to record a strikeout 40 pitches into a game in which he had only surrendered one run. Couple that with the fact that Houston only had a runner on first base at the time of Mad Max's meeting with Gomes, and the speculation only intensifies.
Zero strikeouts 40 pitches into the game, and the Nats changed their sequence despite no runner being on second base
— 2020 Astros Shame Tour (@AsteriskTour) March 25, 2020
No accusations are unfair anymore.
The Astros cheated their way to a world championship in 2017. Why would they abruptly suspend their operation with another on the line? Keep in mind that the club wasn't under investigation at the time. By the 2019 World Series, Houston had only been warned by commissioner Rob Manfred.
Makes you think.