Professionalism/Sign Stealing in Major League Baseball

Background A sign in baseball is a cue that is relayed from one member of a team to another, usually to coordinate strategy. Sign stealing is a term used to describe when a team attempts to understand a competitor’s signs in order to gain an advantageWhat is sign stealing? Making sense of Major League Baseball’s latest scandal.What Does it Mean to Steal Signs in Baseball?GOIN’ THROUGH THE MOTIONS – THIRD-BASE COACHES RARELY MEAN WHAT THEY SIGN. Sign stealing itself is not against the rules of Major League BaseballWhat is sign stealing? Making sense of Major League Baseball’s latest scandal.Memorable Sign-Stealing Moments in Major League Baseball HistoryRed Sox crossed a line, and baseball’s response must be firm. It has even been acknowledged as “part of the game” and an enjoyable aspect of baseballRed Sox crossed a line, and baseball’s response must be firm. Over the course of professional baseball’s existence, however, rules regarding sign stealing aided by technology have been put in place in response to various sign stealing scandalsRed Sox crossed a line, and baseball’s response must be firmHow MLB Handled Sign Stealing Before Punishing Astros. In the early 2000s, Major League Baseball sent out a memo reminding teams of the limitations on use of electronic equipment during games; the memo specifically mentioned that using electronic equipment for sign stealing is prohibitedRed Sox crossed a line, and baseball’s response must be firm. One of the earliest cases of technology aided sign stealing was carried out by the Phillies during the 1899-1900 season; the team used a buzzer system to notify batters of upcoming pitchesHow MLB Handled Sign Stealing Before Punishing Astros. Another notable case occurred about 60 years later when teams were accused of using cameras in centerfield to steal signs; the teams stopped using these cameras when discoveredHow MLB Handled Sign Stealing Before Punishing Astros. In the 1980s, a team was known to use a light in its scoreboard to indicate upcoming pitch type to its battersCan you read the signs?. Punishments for electronically aided sign stealing have been a bit inconsistent over the years; more recent cases have resulted in fines and suspensionsHow MLB Handled Sign Stealing Before Punishing AstrosAstros, Red Sox sign-stealing scandal timeline: Everything we know as MLB announces Boston's penalties. Teams are cautious and try to make sign stealing difficult, but competitors may still attempt to steal signs and take on the risks it presentsGOIN’ THROUGH THE MOTIONS – THIRD-BASE COACHES RARELY MEAN WHAT THEY SIGNAstros, Red Sox sign-stealing scandal timeline: Everything we know as MLB announces Boston's penaltiesYelich: Players have always been paranoid about sign-stealing. The motive for sign stealing is usually competitive advantageWhat is sign stealing? Making sense of Major League Baseball’s latest scandal.. Major League Baseball’s better performing players tend to earn more money and gain more recognition than others; top earners have signed contracts worth over one hundred million dollarsThese are the highest-paid players in MLB right now. Furthermore, teams that compete in the postseason are rewarded a portion of the revenue it earns; better teams earn larger portions. Teams often divide their revenue among players and coaches, but other staff may receive bonuses as wellHow much money the 2019 World Series champions will earn. While the competitive advantage brought about by sign stealing can have a huge upside for teams and their players, it comes at a cost to opposing players. Opposing players’ talent levels may not be perceived to be as high as they truly are, which could diminish these players’ careers Ex-Astros pitcher Mike Fiers: Team stole signs with camera. So, sign stealing can be a source of controversy, especially when aided by technologyRed Sox crossed a line, and baseball’s response must be firmHow MLB Handled Sign Stealing Before Punishing AstrosAstros, Red Sox sign-stealing scandal timeline: Everything we know as MLB announces Boston's penalties. The Houston Astros Sign Stealing Scandal Sign stealing has recently been thrust into the national spotlight with the Houston Astros Scandal. The Astros have been one of the most successful MLB teams in the past decade, with a World Series Championship in 2017 and another World Series appearance in 2019 MLB World Series Winners. Initial Accusations and MLB Investigation On November 12, 2019, former Houston Astros Pitcher Mike Fiers told the Athletic that the Astros used center field cameras to steal signs during their 2017 World Series Championship season The Astros stole signs electronically in 2017 — part of a much broader issue for Major League Baseball. He noted that his goal in coming forward was to “clean up the game”The Astros stole signs electronically in 2017 — part of a much broader issue for Major League Baseball, as pitchers across the league are “losing their jobs because they are going in there not knowing” The Astros stole signs electronically in 2017 — part of a much broader issue for Major League Baseball As a result of Fiers’ comments, the MLB launched an investigation of the Astros, where they found the Astros guilty of using two different forms of sign stealingMLB completes Astros' investigation. During their 2017 playoff run, the astros installed a monitor just outside the dugout that streamed live footage from their centerfield camera, which they used to steal signs between the opposing catcher and pitcherStatement of the Comissioner. Astros’ players and coaches in the dugout then used a coded “trash can banging system” to alert the batter what pitch was coming nextStatement of the Comissioner. The report pegged former Astros Bench Coach Alex Cora and former player Carlos Beltran as the two masterminds behind the sign stealing scheme Statement of the Comissioner. While many players and media members have speculated about the Astros use of illegal buzzers and sign stealing during their 2019 playoff run, the MLB’s investigation found no wrongdoing outside of the 2017 season Statement of the Comissioner. Response from the Astros In the aftermath of the investigation, many Astros players released statements of apology. Perennial All Star Jose Altuve emphasized that “the whole Astros organization feels bad about what happened in 2017,” Astros Fumble Yet Another Apology for Cheating while Alex Bregman stated that he “regrets the choices made by my team, my organization, and by me”Astros Fumble Yet Another Apology for Cheating. What garnered more national attention were the comments made by Astros Owner Jim Crane. Crane opened his statement by removing all blame from the shoulders of players, pegging them instead as victims of “the failure of our leadership” Astros apologize again for sign stealing, but owner Jim Crane says he shouldn't be held accountable. He further claimed that sign stealing “didn’t impact the game,” and that the Astros “had a good team, won the World Series, and we’ll leave it at that” Astros apologize again for sign stealing, but owner Jim Crane says he shouldn't be held accountable. Reactions around the MLB Opposing players throughout the MLB used social media to express their anger with the Astros scandal. Orioles third baseman Danny Valencia used the term “Houston Asterisks” MLB players react to Astros scandal: What was said around the league at spring training to question the validity of the Astros 2017 World Series Title, while pitcher Alex Wood said he “would rather face a player taking steroids than one who knew what pitch was coming” MLB players react to Astros scandal: What was said around the league at spring training. Former Blue Jays Pitcher Mike Bolsinger is suing the Astros for unfair business practices, as he claims that sign stealing “changed the course of his career” Pitcher Mike Bolsinger says cheating Houston Astros changed course of his career. After spending years in the minor leagues, Bolsinger was finally given a chance in the majors in August of 2017, where the Astros scored four runs in just a third of an inningPitcher Mike Bolsinger says cheating Houston Astros changed course of his career. Bolsinger has not pitched in the majors sincePitcher Mike Bolsinger says cheating Houston Astros changed course of his career. Oddsmakers in Las Vegas anticipate retaliation from pitchers across the league, as “sportsbooks put out an over/under total of 83.5 for the number of times the Astros will be hit by a pitch in 2020” Prop bet: How many times will Houston Astros be beaned?. This number has only been reached five times for any team in the past decade Prop bet: How many times will Houston Astros be beaned?. Cheating Scandals in Professional Sports Cheating scandals have been ubiquitous in professional sports since their inception. Some forms of cheating are consistent across multiple professional sports, while others are unique to individual sports. Similarly, the impact and repercussions associated with each scandal varies. The following cases are generally recognized as some of the most notable. Cheating Sports Scandals The Black Sox Scandal In 1920, eight Chicago White Sox baseball players were indicted for colluding with gamblers during the 1919 World Series. The players, along with five gamblers, agreed to lose games on purpose, called ‘throwing games’, for financial gain. The so-called Black Sox Scandal of 1919 resulted in the players’ acquittal in 1921, but all eight players were banned from professional baseball that same year. Guide to the Black Sox Scandal New York Tribune, September 29, 1920 Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, baseball’s first commissioner and commissioner at the time of the scandal, said “Regardless of the verdict of juries, no player that throws a ball game, no player that entertains proposals or promises to throw a game, no player that sits in a conference with a bunch of crooked players and gamblers where the ways and means of throwing games are discussed, and does not promptly tell his club about it, will ever again play professional baseball” [4]. Kenesaw Landis Lance Armstrong Doping In 2012, cyclist Lance Armstrong decided to stop fighting against illegal doping charges, one year before he ultimately confessed to using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Lance Armstrong Cycling Doping Scandal The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) ruled that Armstrong would receive a lifetime ban from professional cycling, and he would be stripped of all winnings, including seven Tour de France titles [6]. Lance Armstrong USADA Report The USADA CEO at the time commented that the case was “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen”. U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team Investigation New England Patriots Spygate and Deflategate In 2007, the New England Patriots were found to have illegally videotaped opposing coaches’, starting the scandal called ‘Spygate’ [8]. Spygate to Deflategate The team was fined $250,000, head coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, and the team lost a first-round draft selection. Belichick Taping Since 2000 A team of investigators also found evidence of Patriots’ illegal monitoring of many other teams up to seven seasons prior. The team was then suspected of intentionally underinflating footballs for the 2014 AFC Championship game. Team ownership and players denied the accusations, and the evidence against the team was not strong. Nevertheless, the scandal, dubbed ‘Deflategate’, resulted in a four-game suspension of quarterback Tom Brady, a $1 million fine to the team, and the loss of multiple draft selections [9,10]. Tom Brady Suspension Case Timeline Steroid Use in the MLB Performance enhancing drugs have been used by many MLB players to gain an advantage, and it is contended that PEDs are widely used throughout the entire league today. Players like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez had taken steroids throughout their illustrious careers. Baseball and Steroids Though the MLB did not test players for PEDs before 2003, it is estimated that over 30% of professional players use them [12]. PED Independent Investigation Players are faced with suspension and potential fines if caught taking PEDs, but many are enticed by an average increase of about $2 million in annual salary as a result of an OPS increase of about 0.100 from steroids, as one report found [13]. Steroids and Major League Baseball Effect of Technology on Cheating Technology increases the amount of information and the speed at which information is available. While increased information availability undoubtedly leads to more efficient solutions, unclear rules of how this information can be used creates scenarios where cheating can occur. For example, before technology allowed a dugout to view close up images of a catcher and pitcher in real time, sign stealing was respected as “part of the game” of baseball. As technology increases the possible ways cheating can occur, rules must be updated to draw clear lines about how technology can and cannot be used and punishments must factor in the losses incurred by opposing players and teams. In high schools and colleges across the country, thousands of students have benefitted from the use of study tools such as Quizlet, Chegg, and Khan Academy. Like high-tech cameras in baseball, these resources provide students new avenues to cheat where outside aid is not permitted and where such avenues may not be available to all parties. The difference between students using these resources to gain additional tips and instruction versus searching for homework solutions or online test answers is where clear rules must be illustrated to prevent technology being used in an unfair way. Similarly, questions on what is considered public information complicates what constitutes insider trading, which can lead to millions of dollars of profit at the expense of other investors. Information will only continue to become more accessible as technology advances, further suggesting the need for clear rules and strict punishment of cheating to keep the playing field level across all industries. References