Heartbreak the Los Angeles Dodgers felt with losing to the Houston Astros in the 2017 World Series has turned into frustration and disappointment amid Major League Baseball finding they electronically stole signs during games played at Minute Maid Park.
MLB’s findings, as outlined by commissioner Rob Manfred in a nine-page document, confirmed allegations made public by former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers. While penalties were leveled against the franchise, the Astros additionally have been on the receiving end of intense scrutiny from the general public and other players.
Cody Bellinger and Alex Wood are among those who have voiced their dismay over the situation. Wood expressed surprise with MLB not suspending any Astros players, and Bellinger was particularly concerned with speculation wearable buzzers were also utilized.
MLB has since addressed that possibility, explaining their investigation did not turn up any such evidence.
Nevertheless, Ross Stripling joined those who understandably have issue with the Astros using a live camera feed to steal and relay signs, via MLB Network Radio:
“If you get a guy on second base and you’re using strikes plus one, or second sign, or something super easy, they go back to the dugout and say, ‘Hey, he’s using strikes plus one.’ And if we face you again two weeks down the line and you’re still using strikes plus one, that’s on you. That is your fault. That is part of baseball.
“Same thing as if you’re holding your glove six inches higher on your curveball than on your fastball. Once again, that’s on you. I’ve been through that. I was tipping with my mouth, I was tipping with my feet, I was tipping with my glove. It was the most frustrating thing I’ve ever done. You go back to the drawing board and try to fix it.
“But where it crosses the line is using technology to relay signs in real time, where a hitter knows what’s coming, when there should be no possibility of it. If a guy is on second base and he’s relaying signs fair and square, that’s fine. But using technology, I think in most pitchers’ and players’ eyes, would be crossing the line.”
While all opposing players and teams the Astros faced certainly have reason to be upset with the developments, Stripling and the Dodgers have added reason considering their World Series loss. Though, Stripling did manage to complete two scoreless innings over two appearances in Houston during the World Series.
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