Rob Manfred to Announce Stricter Penalties for Beanballs in Anticipation of Astros Retaliation
By Michael Luciano
The Houston Astros are the new villains of the MLB, as they ruined the integrity of the sport when they used a complex array of cameras and trash cans to steal signs and alert hitters what was coming right before the pitch.
The league as a whole is steaming mad about this, which could lead to some pitchers giving Astros stars a little chin music when they get in the batter's box. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who wants to put this in the past as soon as possible, has sent out a memo that will make discipline for throwing at players tougher.
Manfred tells @karlravechespn there's a memo coming out this week about throwing at batters. Discipline is going to be tougher. Says it is not just based on the #Astros.
— Chris Carlin (@ChrisCarlin) February 16, 2020
While Manfred claims that this is not attributed solely to the Astros and the league is simply trying to find a way to end one of the biggest eyesores on the game right now, it's pretty easy to connect the dots and find out why he picked now to institute this procedure.
Even with this in place, the likes of Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman better go to the plate armed to the teeth.
Please, no beanballs, and please don’t aim anything at their chests because that’s where the buzzers are. Please aim for shoulders, hips and legs. Thank you. https://t.co/1kXfVyrfyK
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 15, 2020
As awful and irredeemable as what the Astros did is, taking the law into your own hands and throwing the ball at people repeatedly isn't going to make the MLB punish the Astros more severely.
Not every pitcher is going to agree with that sentiment, however, and Astros games could get extremely problematic this season.