The Astros stole signs electronically in 2017 — part of a...

Authored by theathletic.com and submitted by Infraready

There is a broad story about this era of baseball that has yet to be told.

To this point, the public’s understanding of sign stealing mostly rests on anonymous second-hand conjecture and finger-pointing. But inside the game, there is a belief which is treated by players and staff as fact: That illegal sign stealing, particularly through advanced technology, is everywhere.

“It’s an issue that permeates through the whole league,” one major league manager said. “The league has done a very poor job of policing or discouraging it.”

Electronic sign stealing is not a single-team issue. Major League Baseball rules prohibit clubs from using electronic equipment to steal catchers’ signs and convey information. Still, the commissioner’s office hears complaints about many different organizations — everything from mysterious people in white shirts...

robsul82 on November 12nd, 2019 at 19:40 UTC »

Stealing via the baserunner seeing it, that's part of the game. With a camera? That's a horse of a different color.

NeurosciGuy15 on November 12nd, 2019 at 18:44 UTC »

The Astros did not use the same system in away games, sources said.

You mean they didn't have a camera in the OF linked to a TV on the wall outside of the away team's clubhouse? Shocker haha.

melcolnik on November 12nd, 2019 at 18:42 UTC »

“Astros have declined to comment at this time”

Hey! Progress!