Hank Aaron says Astros who stole signs should be banned from baseball

Hank Aaron says perpetrators in Astros sign-stealing scheme 'should be out of baseball'

Sign-stealing has been part of baseball's gamesmanship for decades. The Houston Astros crossed a line in 2017, however, when they used electronics in their scheme to relay signs to hitters in real-time.

Commissioner Rob Manfred opted not to punish any players involved in the scheme, choosing not to name any active players in the report that led to the one-year suspensions (and eventual dismissals) of general manager Jeff Luhnow and AJ Hinch.

But one MLB all-time legend and baseball's former home run king, Hank Aaron, said Thursday on "The Today Show" that anyone involved in the scheme should face the harshest of penalties: a lifetime ban.

"Were you surprised?" NBC News anchor Craig Melvin asked.

"I was surprised," said Aaron, who turned 86 on Wednesday.

"They didn't steal signs back in your day?" Melvin said.

"They did. They didn't steal them that way," Aaron replied with a laugh.

Melvin followed up: "Do you think the punishment fit the crime?"

"No I don't," Aaron said. "I think whoever did that, they should be out of baseball for the rest of their lives."

On the topic of Pete Rose, who wrote a letter to Manfred asking to be reinstated and be considered for the Hall of Fame, Aaron said he should not have his lifetime ban lifted, nor should he enter the Hall.