Houston Astros Cheaters Hat Revealed
In 2017, the Houston Astros claimed their first World Series win and are now striving for another championship. Yet it’s impossible to forget about the 2017 Astros cheating scandal which has rocked baseball for years; those who still don’t forgiven their franchise for its crimes will feel some sting when watching this year’s team play.
Rob Lowe, a passionate Los Angeles Dodgers fan, takes his hatred for the Astros to new heights on “The Joe Rogan Experience.” He shames them for cheating by wearing a hat with an asterisk – as if to symbolize that their 2017 title should also bear an asterisk due to their actions.
In 2017, the Astros were accused of stealing signs from other teams’ catchers with cameras and monitors. Scouts allegedly went to Astros games against the Yankees and noticed cameras and listening devices set up in the outfield.
MLB conducted an investigation and fined the Astros $5 million. Additionally, they forfeited two years worth of first- and second-round draft picks.
The cheating scheme involved a centerfield camera connected to a monitor in the Astros dugout, and someone would bang on a trash can to indicate when a pitcher’s batting practice pitch was coming up. If the bat clanged, it meant a breaking ball was coming, while no clanging meant only fastballs.
After MLB issued the penalties, the team pledged to make every effort to prevent future cheating. Furthermore, they were asked to cease using cameras and monitors as means for relaying signs.
They have since implemented PitchCom as a system to prevent sign stealing and improve game speed by taking away the shaking off of pitches. It also gives the catcher an indication of what the pitcher is throwing, so they can determine whether it’s a changeup or slider.
In fact, it’s even possible for a pitcher to wear an electronic device in his cap to help him distinguish between pitches thrown as change ups or fastballs.
Though this technology may be a step in the right direction, it won’t solve all of the issues related to cheating in baseball. This problem is not unique to the Astros; sports organizations must address it if they wish to remain competitive.
It’s essential to remember that cheating in sports is an age-old problem, and has persisted throughout its history. That is one reason why cheating is prohibited in professional baseball and Major League Baseball has implemented stringent regulations to prevent this from occurring.
The Astros are not the only team to have been caught cheating in the past, but they have been the most notorious. Other teams such as the Yankees and Dodgers have also been found guilty in similar schemes in the past; plus teams like Detroit Tigers or Oakland Athletics.