The Houston Astros became publicly enemy No. 1 when Major League Baseball released the findings of their investigation, which most notably uncovered an electronic sign stealing scheme throughout a run to winning the 2017 World Series.
While the Astros defeated several opponents along the way, reaping a home-field advantage that was beyond comprehension, the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees were among the most critical of Houston.
The Yankees feel to the Astros in the American League Championship Series, and the Dodgers lost in a seven-game World Series that now has been tainted. Cody Bellinger said the Astros stole the title, and Justin Turner said he couldn’t consider them true champions, among other criticisms from the Dodgers.
Astros players were defiant in their initial response to anger from other players and teams, and though slightly improved apologies did follow, the organization very much took on an us against the world mindset. That’s been particularly true since the Astros snuck into the expanded postseason and now are back in the ALCS.
As the Astros look to silence critics, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman called into question their perspective and stance with the cheating scandal during interview with “Mad Dog Sports” on SiriusXM, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I think them playing the victim’s complex card is a little interesting to me. Like, I get that it’s been a difficult year for them, but to play the victim card, I think has been, you know, a curious strategy.”
Friedman has largely been diplomatic whenever discussing the Astros, most prominently doing so at Dodgers FanFest in January, which was the first time most players and members of the organization were together after MLB’s report was released.
While the Dodgers have been critical of the Astros and MLB’s punishment, there also was a collective message of not dwelling on it so as to remain focused on 2020.
Astros return to Dodger Stadium
With MLB implementing postseason bubbles, it removed the Dodgers from playing at Dodger Stadium after the Wild Card Series. As fate would have it, the Astros played the AL Division Series at Chavez Ravine, where they eliminated the Oakland Athletics in four games.
“Seeing those two clubs at our ballpark is sort of weird in a postseason setting,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Being here, Globe Life, getting ready for a postseason baseball game, is really interesting.”
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