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MLB Announces Findings Of Investigation Into 2018 Sign-Stealing Allegations Against Red Sox

By Steve Adams | April 22, 2020 at 2:17pm CDT

Major League Baseball has concluded its investigation into 2018 sign-stealing allegations against the Red Sox and imposed the following disciplinary measures:

  • The Red Sox are stripped of their second-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft
  • Red Sox advance scout/replay coordinator J.T. Watkins has been suspended without pay for the 2020 season and is prohibited from holding his previous role for the 2021 season
  • Former manager Alex Cora, fired by the Red Sox earlier this year, has been banned through the 2020 postseason — although only for his role in the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal.

Those penalties pale in comparison to what many felt was a light Astros punishment in response to their 2017 trash can scheme; Houston GM Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were both suspended one year (and subsequently fired by the team), while the organization was fined the maximum permissible $5MM and stripped of first- and second-round picks in each of the next two drafts.

Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy issued the following statement via press release:

As an organization, we strive for 100% compliance with the rules. MLB’s investigation concluded that in isolated instances during the 2018 regular season, sign sequences were decoded through the use of live game video rather than through permissible means. MLB acknowledged the front office’s extensive efforts to communicate and enforce the rules and concluded that Alex Cora, the coaching staff, and most of the players did not engage in, nor were they aware of, any violations. Regardless, these rule violations are unacceptable. We apologize to our fans and Major League Baseball, and accept the Commissioner’s ruling.

The league announced the findings of what it terms an “exhaustive investigation into allegations of improper use of the video replay room.” Within, commissioner Rob Manfred offered the following breakdown of his findings:

  • “I find that J.T. Watkins, the Red Sox video replay system operator, on at least some occasions during the 2018 regular season, utilized the game feeds in the replay room, in violation of MLB regulations, to revise sign sequence information that he had permissibly provided to players prior to the game.
  • I find that unlike the Houston Astros’ 2017 conduct, in which players communicated to the batter from the dugout area in real time the precise type of pitch about to be thrown, Watkins’s conduct, by its very nature, was far more limited in scope and impact. The information was only relevant when the Red Sox had a runner on second base (which was 19.7% of plate appearances league-wide in 2018), and Watkins communicated sign sequences in a manner that indicated that he had decoded them from the in-game feed in only a small percentage of those occurrences.
  • I do not find that then-Manager Alex Cora, the Red Sox coaching staff, the Red Sox front office, or most of the players on the 2018 Red Sox knew or should have known that Watkins was utilizing in-game video to update the information that he had learned from his pregame analysis. Communication of these violations was episodic and isolated to Watkins and a limited number of Red Sox players only.
  • I find that the Red Sox front office consistently communicated MLB’s sign-stealing rules to non-player staff and made commendable efforts toward instilling a culture of compliance in their organization.”

Manfred goes on to emphasize that while he has previously granted players immunity in exchange for truthful testimony in both the Astros and Red Sox investigations, the findings of his Red Sox inquiry would not have led him to consider disciplining players anyhow (which surely would not have been the case with regard to the Astros). The loss of the draft pick, per the commissioner, stems from the fact that he still felt the organization should be held accountable for benefiting from data that was obtained improperly.

Manfred’s report on the investigation details that every player who spent time with the 2018 Red Sox was interviewed in some capacity and provided what were deemed truthful testimonies. A total of 65 witnesses were interviewed during the course of the investigation, and MLB’s department of investigations (DOI) reviewed “tens of thousands of emails, text messages, video clips and photographs,” per the report.

Watkins, the employee on whom the entirety of the wrongdoing is blamed by commissioner Manfred, was an advance scout tasked with using video to decode signs before and after Red Sox games — a permissible act that falls within MLB’s guidelines on the implementation of technology within the game. However, he was also the team’s replay reviewer, responsible during games for coordinating with Cora on whether to challenge a call or not. The report notes that other clubs had that same setup, but an investigation into the Red Sox found that Watkins would, at times, alter pre-game sign sequencing information in the middle of an active game. While most players who were interviewed said they had no knowledge of any wrongdoing by Watkins, others acknowledged that they had suspicions after the data coming from Watkins changed over the course of a game.

Watkins, per Manfred, has “vehemently denied” any such practice, although clearly based on the punishment levied by the league, Manfred and the DOI felt sufficient evidence to the contrary was present. Moreover, the commissioner’s report highlights that Watkins was a “key participant” in the 2017 Apple Watch incident that led to a fine for the Red Sox and helped bring questions about improper use of technology to light on a national basis.

With regard to any potential postseason wrongdoing, Manfred adds that the commissioner’s office positioned “full-time, in-person monitors in replay rooms to prevent the improper use of video equipment.” Such measures were not in place throughout the regular season.

It’s not yet clear precisely why the investigation was so prolonged in the first place and perhaps never will be. Major League Baseball was initially planning to release its findings before the end of February. When the investigation lingered into March, the COVID-19 pandemic obviously and understandably took precedence, thus bringing about a delay of nearly two months that only seems to have heightened the general public reaction that the Boston organization escaped mostly unscathed. But the initial delay into March was never fully explained.

The loss of that second-round pick will give the Sox one less selection in an already shortened draft and dock $1,403,200 from Boston’s pool (the would-be value of that vacated second-rounder). Previously, they’d been slated to have a $6.514MM pool in the event of a five-round draft and a $7.482MM pool for a 10-round format. Put another way, they’ll lose anywhere from 18.8 percent to 21.6 percent of their 2020 draft budget due to the league’s ruling.

Unexplained within Manfred’s report is just why the punishment for Cora, who was called out as an architect of the trash-can-banging setup with the 2017 Astros, is lighter than those which were brought upon Luhnow and Hinch. Cora’s rank within the organization was lower, but his role in the team’s transgressions appears to have been much more integral. Yet Luhnow and Hinch were banned for one year, beginning Jan. 13, 2020 and running through Jan. 13 of 2021, while Cora is only barred through the end of postseason play in 2020. Technically, he could have a job in baseball again before the bans on Hinch and Luhnow have been lifted — despite a pivotal role in the Astros’ scandal and, if not a direct role in the Red Sox’ 2018 infractions, then some negligence or a lack of oversight that one would think should be deemed alarming.

Ultimately, the light punishment for the Sox boils down to the fact that Manfred and his charges are convinced that the wrongdoing was more limited in scope than that of the Astros and largely fell on the shoulders of one employee. Fans and onlookers will, of course, draw their own conclusions about the legitimacy of that finding the the pervasiveness (or lack thereof) of similar setups throughout the league. At this point, however, that’s all largely rendered moot; the commissioner’s punishment has been set, and the matter has been put to bed.

The Red Sox announced not long after Kennedy’s statement that they’ll host a conference call with reporters tonight at 7pm ET, at which point they’ll surely field additional questions on the investigation and its ramifications.

Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich of The Athletic first reported the findings of commissioner Manfred’s investigation, minutes prior to the official announcement.

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View Comments (318)

Comments

  1. ChiSoxCity

    3 years ago

    Cheaters.

    Reply
    • francys08

      3 years ago

      That’s it. What about a fine? I am not surprised by this punishment with the commissioner we have. The Astros cheated and they still have their championship.

      Reply
      • speedy217r

        3 years ago

        What did you expect from a do nothing commissioner

        Reply
        • Jonny5

          3 years ago

          Dude, your obsession with hating on the cardinals at every opportunity is really tiresome. Don’t you think about ANYTHING else?

        • beisbolista

          3 years ago

          It’s sad that the Commissioner has used a global disaster to further sweep the worst cheating scandal in history under the carpet.

        • Ironman_4life

          3 years ago

          Explain? He dows what the owners do. Do you have a problem with the commissioner instead of whining and complaining about it you should wine and complain to your owner of your favorite team

        • fredziffel78

          3 years ago

          Agreed.

        • chippahawk

          3 years ago

          Absolutely Preschool compared to how the Braves got hammered.

        • Appalachian_Outlaw

          3 years ago

          No doubt. I’m shocked more teams aren’t outraged. The Braves got hammered for doing something pretty common, supposedly. Coppy was just a bit too bold.

          Two teams have literally cheated the game and the league here, and this is it?! I don’t condone cheating, but if this is the penalty, how is it not worth the gamble?

        • Woods Rider

          3 years ago

          I hate the Braves, but this is absolutely accurate.

        • scurvyrickets

          3 years ago

          Johny5, don’t worry ChiSoxFan also trolls the Cubs and just about every other team that has a competent organization. I’m pretty convinced he’s 12, but I was wrong. He actually has a website (blog) about the Sux (I did that funny thing again!!) with like 13 readers. So yeah, he doesn’t have much of a life. But atleast he has those fireworks at US Cell or whatever garbage it’s called now.

        • looiebelongsinthehall

          3 years ago

          Timing of this release is designed to get everyone to soon talk about the NFL draft. Something stinks here. If it weren’t for Watchgate, this could have been a full pass. Because of it though, as “minor” as it’s been reported even if 100% accurate. The penalties should have been far worse.

        • Dorothy_Mantooth

          3 years ago

          What the Red Sox did is much more common that what the Braves did.

        • wordonthestreet

          3 years ago

          Too funny!

      • derrik.haley

        3 years ago

        Didn’t the Cardinals hack the Astros? What was that penalty?

        Reply
        • Eatdust666

          3 years ago

          Permanent ban and 46 months in prison for Chris Correa, giving up two draft picks to Astros and also paying them $2 million.

        • WillieMaysHayes24

          3 years ago

          Stfu. Seriously, you’re ignorant beyond belief.
          Show me all the cardinals fans clamoring for stiffer penalties. I’ll wait.

        • WillieMaysHayes24

          3 years ago

          Thought so. You ramble on and on about s*** that isn’t even happening (outside of the fantasy world you live in) and then can’t back up your ignorance with anything but more insults and deflection.

          You’ve got some wonderful karma coming your way I’m sure 🙂

        • just here for the comments

          3 years ago

          Willie Mays Hayes taking steroids or something, Bc that sounds like roid rage to me.

        • Maurice Lock

          3 years ago

          Who is Willie talking to on here? Sounds like he’s nuts.

        • Iknowmorebaseball

          3 years ago

          The Cardinals were stealing signs illegally before the Astros. Everyone remembers that season when Cards where hitting 400 with men in scoring position as a team and deep deep into the season. I recall announcer saying that they were out hitting all teams by over 100 points. Craig had a MVP like season that year then got released soon after. Tony Naruto was behind it and was the biggest POS

        • Tim_Buck-Two

          3 years ago

          Sounds like a conspiracy theory to me. Craig hurt his foot and was never the same again, similar injuries have happened to Dontrelle Willis, Fernando Tatis, Ryan Howard, and Scott Rolen. The Cardinals had 4 years in a row where they did some crazy stuff like pinch hit home runs, starter ERA, Batting average with runners in scoring position, but it was all because they were stealing signs. Especially starters ERA.

      • troll

        3 years ago

        standard $5 mil

        Reply
    • soxshortstop

      3 years ago

      ST-FU Ozzie

      Reply
    • Ironman_4life

      3 years ago

      Let me ask you this. In a couple years if Altuve and Bregman are on your White Sox , how will you feel about them?

      Reply
    • scurvyrickets

      3 years ago

      ChiSoxFan- I Love your website, lol. I guess it’s tough sitting in moms basement and commenting on MLB Trade Rumors all day. You provide some pretty amazing insight on your page lolololol.

      Everybody, go help out ChiSoxFan and check his website out!!! Or maybe his cool Twitch channel with 0 subscriptions lololololll. Oh Magnus lol

      https://www.soxmachine.com/members/magnuskit/profile/

      Reply
    • RickEO

      3 years ago

      Zilch zero nada

      Reply
  2. BennyTheBoss

    3 years ago

    They got off easy

    Reply
    • all in the suit that you wear

      3 years ago

      The Red Sox deserve punishment.  I have been interested in answering the question:  Did the Red Sox benefit from cheating?
              Looking at the numbers:  If the Red Sox stole/decoded signs in 2018, it did not help them win the World Series.  During the regular season, they were 108-54 for a winning percentage of 0.667.  During the postseason, when it was impossible to steal or decode signs, they were 11-3 for a winning percentage of 0.786.  Therefore, the 2018 Red Sox were ACTUALLY BETTER without sign stealing/decoding.  Some may say that sign stealing/decoding leads to higher team BA/OBP/SLG/OPS etc.  However, wins is the only stat that matters because you only benefit from cheating if you win.  If you cheat and lose, the cheating did not amount to anything.
                Some may say that sign stealing/decoding helped the Red Sox gain home field advantage in the 2018 postseason.  That also does not matter as the Red Sox were 4-2 at home and 7-1 on the road in the 2018 postseason.  The Red Sox were actually better on the road.
                 Yes, the Red Sox may have broken some rules in the 2018 regular season, but the numbers say it did not lead to more wins or help them win the World Series.
                 I am pointing this out on behalf of the Red Sox because I think they were treated unfairly by the commissioner.  I think the fair thing to do would have been to investigate the whole league for sign stealing/decoding.  Instead, just two teams were investigated and dragged through the mud with their fans.  MLB could have easily conducted an anonymous survey of all players, coaches, video room personnel etc. using the internet to see what everyone was doing.  Very easy.  My workplace does this all the time and calls it climate surveys.  Finally, I think it is a bad business move by the commissioner to drag one of MLB’s largest fan bases through the mud without seeing if what the Red Sox were doing was widespread throughout the league.

      Reply
      • TheTrotsky

        3 years ago

        You and your whole post is a joke. Cheating is cheating no matter if you win or lose, don’t make excuses.

        Reply
        • Bert17

          3 years ago

          I agree that cheating is cheating and think that the sample size of winning percentage in postseason games doesn’t matter anyway. BUT, he’s right that what was needed was a league wide investigation. not just because it would be fair, but to root it out and see what teams were doing and how to stop it.

          The obvious truth is that MLB only cared about having g as little as possible get out to the public. Teams had been filing complaints about the Astros with the league and they did nothing until it was publicly reported. Manfred said it was just the Astros. Then it reported about the Sox, so he investigated the Sox. There were rumors about 8 other teams but never with a player on the record so they didn’t investigate.

          It was always about containing the fallout during the year they were going into gambling. They k on that what the Red Sox were doing IS the level playing field, but what they really want is just the appearance of a level playing field.

        • Bert17

          3 years ago

          I agree that cheating is cheating and think that the sample size of winning percentage in postseason games doesn’t matter anyway. BUT, he’s right that what was needed was a league wide investigation. not just because it would be fair, but to root it out and see what teams were doing and how to stop it.

          The obvious truth is that MLB only cared about having g as little as possible get out to the public. Teams had been filing complaints about the Astros with the league and they did nothing until it was publicly reported. Manfred said it was just the Astros. Then it reported about the Sox, so he investigated the Sox. There were rumors about 8 other teams but never with a player on the record so they didn’t investigate.

          It was always about containing the fallout during the year they were going into gambling. They know that what the Red Sox were doing IS the level playing field, but what they really want is just the appearance of a level playing field.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          3 years ago

          Nope. Insults and nothing else is a joke. Yes, cheating is cheating. The first thing I said was the Red Sox deserve punishment.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          3 years ago

          Bert: I agree except….A whole postseason doesn’t matter?

        • kingbum

          3 years ago

          It was impossible for Watkins to cheat during the postseason per MLB’s report so yes the postseason did not matte. I think all teams are guilty of something like this, as the saying goes if you aren’t cheating you aren’t trying. Watkins got caught only because of the investigation into Cora.

      • Bashing Weiss

        3 years ago

        This is some stuff an Astros fan would say.

        Reply
      • pasha2k

        3 years ago

        Oh PUULLEZE

        Reply
      • Iknowmorebaseball

        3 years ago

        Okay I get it! Your big Red Sox fan trying to protect your team. Just remember nobody here is stupid so peddle your bologna to other Red Sox fans so you may find a believer

        Reply
  3. rightturnclyde

    3 years ago

    Viva le trash cans!

    Reply
    • GothamNeedsMe

      3 years ago

      Wrong team.

      Reply
    • Vizionaire

      3 years ago

      wireless buzzers!

      Reply
      • hOsEbEeLiOn

        3 years ago

        Viva la wireless buzzers

        Reply
        • SalaryCapMyth

          3 years ago

          @the suit that you wear

          Comparing the Red Sox post season performance to their regular season doesn’t dismiss the Red Sox cheating. All you may have proven is that teams can get hot for 14 or 15 games while cheating during the regular season. Comparing a small sample size to the ENTIRE regular season is useless.

          Further, you discipline the act pf cheating and not results of it. To justify the Red Sox in such a way screams of special pleading.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          3 years ago

          SalaryCapMyth: I did not dismiss the Red Sox cheating. They should be punished and that is the first thing I wrote. However, it is a valid question whether or not they benefited from the cheating. I don’t believe a whole postseason is insignificant. Anyone who has ever celebrated a postseason can’t possibly believe that.

        • SalaryCapMyth

          3 years ago

          “I don’t believe a whole postseason is insignificant. Anyone who has ever celebrated a postseason can’t possibly believe that.”

          Why are you representing my argument like this? You know very well that I was calling the 2018 postseason insignificant for the purpose of comparing statistics to the regular season because it’s a small sample size. But you create a straw man instead of a refutation. Maybe because you ALSO know that you can’t use the postseason and regular season in this way.

          Yes you did mention they deserved punishment, but you all BUT negated that with the last paragraph of your first response.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          3 years ago

          SalaryCapMyth: I am saying that it makes no sense for people to celebrate their team winning in a postseason (which everyone I know does, including me) and then turn around and say the Red Sox 2018 postseason proves nothing. Is the postseason meaningful or not? It does not change year to year. Regarding my last paragraph, I am saying that is unfair for the commissioner to investigate only two teams and not the whole league for sign stealing/decoding. They all had unmonitored video rooms in the regular season. Given that the whole league was not investigated, I think the punishment the Red Sox got is appropriate.

        • all in the suit that you wear

          3 years ago

          SalaryCapMyth:  A better way to explain my thinking may be as follows:  It is a common practice in the baseball community to believe the postseason determines who the better teams are and ultimately who the best team is.  It means something.  It is not a statistically valid common practice, but it is a common practice nonetheless.  Not all common practices are statistically valid.  It should apply to the 2018 Red Sox.

  4. markakis

    3 years ago

    Wow, they got off even easier. Crazy.

    Reply
    • kingken67

      3 years ago

      Because they didn’t do anything remotely similar to what Houston did.

      Reply
      • Woods Rider

        3 years ago

        Just like the whole Apple Watch deal too, am I right?

        Reply
    • brucenewton

      3 years ago

      No trash can banging in Boston.

      Reply
      • just@nothermeathead

        3 years ago

        Nah they were banging each other tea bags

        Bunch of losers.

        Yankees will be next

        Reply
        • mikeshaw801

          3 years ago

          Got em???

    • Curly_was_a_stooge

      3 years ago

      If it isn’t murder then it’s man slaughter. Life in prison vs. 5 years. This is a man slaughter decision.

      Reply
  5. richard dangler

    3 years ago

    The sensor ship on this app is becoming ridiculous. If you don’t follow the propaganda you’re deleted immediately.

    Reply
    • HubcapDiamondStarHalo

      3 years ago

      Is a sensor ship a floating vessel that monitors things?

      Reply
      • dugdog83

        3 years ago

        F/V Sensor – Dutch Harbor, Alaska

        Reply
      • i hate my father

        3 years ago

        LMAO!!!

        Reply
      • nymetsking

        3 years ago

        Sensor Space ship?

        Reply
    • SalaryCapMyth

      3 years ago

      I assume you already replaced your face masks with tinfoil hats? I mean, you know the REAL threat is the satelites watching you from above, right?

      Reply
  6. partyatnapolis

    3 years ago

    that’s it?

    Reply
    • jawinks

      3 years ago

      Seriously under-punished. All teams should cheat their way to titles now.

      Reply
      • astros2017

        3 years ago

        Steroids
        Spitballs
        Scuffed balls
        Sign stealing
        Greenies

        Teams have been cheating their way in baseball for decades

        Reply
        • sambino

          3 years ago

          You forgot trash cans.

        • Woods Rider

          3 years ago

          and Apple watches

        • SalaryCapMyth

          3 years ago

          @ astros2017

          Stop rationalizing the Astros cheating. Just stop. Your claims that other teams cheat in other ways is not a defense. If you got caught robbing a bank would your defense be that others have robbed banks, too?

        • Woods Rider

          3 years ago

          Good analogy. Nicely done.

  7. Michael Birks

    3 years ago

    This is going to be a colorful comment section

    Reply
    • Brixton

      3 years ago

      Manfred just isn’t doing good at most parts of his job.

      Reply
      • nymetsking

        3 years ago

        but at least on those other parts he’s almost average.

        Reply
        • Brixton

          3 years ago

          unnecessary rule changes, takes shots at Trout for lack of marketing, fails to discipline literally everyone fairly, and pretty much says tanking is perfectly fine.

        • nymetsking

          3 years ago

          over your hesd apparently

      • BlueSkyLA

        3 years ago

        His thirty bosses would beg to differ with you.

        Reply
      • Woods Rider

        3 years ago

        *all

        The guy is flat out garbage and an absolute disgrace to the sport.

        Reply
  8. tigersfan1320

    3 years ago

    Seems like a fair punishment. From what I’ve read, they didn’t cheat nearly as bad as the Astros did.

    Reply
    • stan lee the manly

      3 years ago

      This is based on the premise that the Astros were punished enough for what they did.

      I think the majority of fans would say that this is a faulty premise.

      Reply
      • kingken67

        3 years ago

        Whether or not fans consider Houston’s punishment appropriate MLB couldn’t come down more harshly on Boston for much less of an infraction in an investigation done in the same off-season as Houston’s investigation.

        Reply
    • CursedRangers

      3 years ago

      Fair compared to what the Astros received. But the Astros received such a minor penalty compared to what they did. Hard to believe there aren’t any lifetime bans from this. But then again ARod might soon be an owner of a MLB team, so I guess it is to be expected. One thing is for sure, MLB doesn’t care about integrity or their fans. All about the unions and the almighty dollar.

      Reply
      • emac22

        3 years ago

        Arod was actually punished unlike everyone else who breaks the rules.

        The fact that he might save the sport from Wilpon is also good.

        SMH

        Reply
        • astros2017

          3 years ago

          He was punished enough to have enough money to buy the Mets and buy up shares of companies on Shark Tank lol

        • Woods Rider

          3 years ago

          A-Rod messed up, no doubt about it. I don’t like the guy either, but I must admit, his admission to sterioids, what it cost him, and his heartfelt feelings on live TV during that game last year leads me to believe he might actually have remorse.

          Let’s also remember that his suspension cost him from the one record he wanted most AND will most likely keep him out of the HOF for the first couple years.

      • 4WSsince04

        3 years ago

        How does Pete Rose lifetime ban compare with Manny Ramirez or A-rod‘s suspense. Rose affected the game by lineups and pitching moves, but he was never pumped full of steroids While playing. Shouldn’t the players be punished worse. I hate Pete Rose, but as a player he should be in the Hall of Fame in my opinion, whereas I say no to Manny, A-Rod, Clemens, Palmeiro, Sosa, Bonds, McGwire,….

        Rose, the all time hit leader never cheated while playing. Rose is a jerk, but the Hall of Fame is filled with jerks.

        Reply
        • Woods Rider

          3 years ago

          That leads back to the great argument. Is the HOF a museum or Cathedral?

          Ty Cobb was a racist and an alcoholic.
          Mantle was an alcoholic
          Ruth was a woman beater

          Are we telling the story of the game or are we just doing a fluff piece? I don’t like the Rose ban, but I totally understand it. He broke rules he knew were in place.

          Same goes for these morons. Only difference is, they make Pete look like a Saint.

          If we are going to tell the story of Baseball, then we have to tell it both good and bad whether that requires an asterisks, a separate wing, or whatever.

          Perhaps the HOF should buy that piece of property Rose usually sits at across the street on HOF Weekend, call it loser’s row, and that’s where they put these POS’.

        • MLB-what-ifs

          3 years ago

          Woods – i like your idea…. a new cheaters wing for Clemens, Bonds, Sosa, Pete Rose….., because it looks like cheaters will soon be getting in. HOF is definitely a museum and not a cathedral.

        • Dorothy_Mantooth

          3 years ago

          Rose downed greenies like Marshawn Lynch downed Skittles. All those guys in the 70’s & 80’s cheated with greenies.

      • tigersfan1320

        3 years ago

        I don’t really think the MLB could have done much more to the Astros. I honestly believe that the MLB punishes then about as harshly as they could have within the guidelines they set

        Reply
  9. acarneglia

    3 years ago

    incredibly light

    Reply
  10. walls17

    3 years ago

    I’m glad they pushed this announcement back months

    Reply
  11. ChiSoxCity

    3 years ago

    Boston, the city of cheaters.

    Reply
    • GothamNeedsMe

      3 years ago

      Boo hoo.

      Reply
    • hankwilliamsfan1986

      3 years ago

      what about the white sux

      Reply
    • burtgummer1

      3 years ago

      Like Chicago is any better

      Reply
      • hOsEbEeLiOn

        3 years ago

        Patriots have been busted multiple times but homers will say all teams cheat to justify their team cheating

        Boston Celtics had Danny ainge throwing towels in the air trying to distract players during free throws.

        Red Sox were busted twice now in recent memory.

        Reply
        • burtgummer1

          3 years ago

          First off I’m not even a Redsox fan my team is in the national league but when a fan of the team that committed the biggest cheat in sports history starts talking about other teams cheating it’s pure ignorance
          As far as the Pats go I’ve been a Pats fan since the early 70’s and won’t make any excuses but I will say there are 10-12 teams that have been busted more (look it up) but no one talks about them gee I wonder why

        • kodion

          3 years ago

          Because no one cares about cheaters who LOSE
          Well, except the Black Sox …but they cheated TO lose

        • DirtyWater04

          3 years ago

          Excuses don’t need to be made for the Pats.

          What people don’t understand about the Spygate fiasco was that they thought the filming itself was some uniquely nefarious thing being done by New England and New England alone. Wrong. Filming other teams is allowed and everyone in the league does it. The spot they had the cameras was outside of the sanctioned zone and according to some from around the league it was the kind of thing many teams would do as an open secret, but Mangini had some beef with Bill that reached a petty enough point he tattled about it and the rest is history.

          Deflategate on the other hand is astonishingly stupid. I don’t understand why or how so many people had such a hard time grasping the plausibility that Brady liked his footballs to be on the softer side, and then spending hours out in the freezing rain on a frigid night in January would cause the air pressure to drop further and below what the league deems allowable. There is intentionally trying to shirk rules, and there is what that is, which is a coincidence.

          There are worse and more blatant examples of cheating influencing entire NFL seasons – the Broncos circumventing the salary cap in the 90’s, decades of illegal steroid abuse in Pittsburgh, and Bountygate all come to mind.

        • AssumeFactsNotInEvidence

          3 years ago

          It’s everyone else’s fault! We do what everyone does!

        • Flapjax55

          3 years ago

          In Pittsburgh alone? Really? That is a hilarious take.

        • DirtyWater04

          3 years ago

          Never said it’s anyone else’s fault, just pointing out the rule they were caught breaking that set off “Spygate” is much less severe and more of a technicality than everyone acts like it was….

        • DirtyWater04

          3 years ago

          Flapjax they aren’t anymore, but it’s pretty widely accepted around the league that they were the first to start doing it in the 70’s, which you may recall were the glory days of their franchise. Of course by now everyone else is doing it too but it’s fair to wonder how much of their 70’s dominance was legitimate.

    • soxshortstop

      3 years ago

      Says Mr. Blacksox

      Reply
      • burtgummer1

        3 years ago

        Exactly

        Reply
      • Priggs89

        3 years ago

        Your best argument is literally 100 years old…

        Reply
        • GothamNeedsMe

          3 years ago

          And?

    • Butch779988

      3 years ago

      Can’t handle success dbag?

      Reply
      • ChiSoxCity

        3 years ago

        Can’t win without cheating, degenerate?

        Reply
        • dynasty in boston

          3 years ago

          You poor thing Chi. You haven’t had a thing going on since the Bulls and MJ. Maybe you could get a WNBA banner put up. Wait…what?

        • AssumeFactsNotInEvidence

          3 years ago

          ChiSox city the whiniest man in America from the classiest trash dump on the south side of chicago!

        • burtgummer1

          3 years ago

          the whitesox are the biggest cheaters in sports history get a life

        • mike127

          3 years ago

          @ dynasty and assume——guys, leave ChiSox alone—-there are no Cubs stories today for him to get his normal work routine in today. I’m sure tomorrow when the story is published on how the Cubs have opened Wrigley Field as a food pantry for the needy and how they have opened the hotel across (Zachary) the street for medical staff to stay free of charge during the pandemic he will be back to normal. He’s just picking on the Red Sox today because his daily job appears closed for the day.

    • MLB-what-ifs

      3 years ago

      ChiOxcity – “Boston, the city of cheaters”. Why do you care….be glad you don’t live there.

      Reply
  12. whyhayzee

    3 years ago

    Show’s over folks, nothing to see here, just move on.

    They did nothing wrong. Baseball had to do a token punishment. That is all.

    Class dismissed. Have a nice day.

    Reply
    • pinstripes17

      3 years ago

      that’s why they got punished right?

      Reply
    • hankwilliamsfan1986

      3 years ago

      that’s true, it’s only to appease the whiney fans of other teams who never win anything.

      Reply
  13. Shachorye

    3 years ago

    What a joke of a “punishment”

    Reply
  14. taito2000

    3 years ago

    Can’t believe this wasn’t a worse punishment

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      3 years ago

      the Astros did what they did for longer. why would this be worse?

      Reply
      • Dotnet22

        3 years ago

        He’s not comparing it to the Astros. L2Read.

        Reply
        • REDSOXFAN5824

          3 years ago

          Learn to type.

    • Curly_was_a_stooge

      3 years ago

      Murder vs manslaughter, life vs 5 years. This was a manslaughter decision.

      Reply
  15. cptstupendous

    3 years ago

    Optics are horrible for Manfred – suspend a guy while in a postponed (highly likely canceled) season. The logic is fine, but by god the optics are friggin horrible.

    Reply
    • emac22

      3 years ago

      The logic is weak too.

      If logic in a professional sports doesnt include optics what does it include?

      Reply
      • cptstupendous

        3 years ago

        Weak works as well.

        Your logic and optics question is far too deep of a rabbit hole to fully dive into – logic and optics are not dependent upon the other.

        Reply
  16. puhl

    3 years ago

    Is anyone surprised by this. After all this is the Red Sox. This is now twice that they have gotten off easy. And the Yankees too. There are two sets of rules in the league. Those that apply to Boston and New York and those that apply to everyone else.

    Reply
    • Boogaloo

      3 years ago

      Lol, look at you desperatly trying to drag the Yankees into this. The only thing the Spankees did was blow the whistle on Boston and Houston, take your bias elsewhere. The only thing the Spankees got in trouble for was trying to catch the red Sox cheating, wake up. You’re ajoke

      Reply
    • pinstripes17

      3 years ago

      the yankees did nothing wrong

      Reply
      • JDGoat

        3 years ago

        …

        Reply
      • MLB-what-ifs

        3 years ago

        Pinstripes17 – ……probably the next team MLB says cheated then draw it out for six month to fan the flame

        Reply
    • RobBoSoxNMariners

      3 years ago

      Cute.. speculative – but cute

      Reply
    • brucenewton

      3 years ago

      Manfred stated he would not investigate his boyhood team. Even though Beltran was the yanks video reviewer in ‘18 and ‘19. Why would anyone hire Beltran to be the ‘video reviewer’? mmm

      Reply
  17. emac22

    3 years ago

    That was weak!

    Might as well have made them give each fan a free hot dog.

    Reply
    • HubcapDiamondStarHalo

      3 years ago

      At ballpark prices for a hot dog, that might have been a more severe financial hit than the Astros took…

      Reply
  18. GothamNeedsMe

    3 years ago

    Here come the comments about how they deserved more. Even though they had next to zero knowledge about what really happened.

    Reply
    • realgone2

      3 years ago

      and neither do you. So, you can’t say they deserved what they got or less. See how that works?

      Reply
      • GothamNeedsMe

        3 years ago

        Did I say they deserved or didn’t deserve anything? Not if you read what I wrote instead of what you wanted to read…Francis.

        Reply
        • AssumeFactsNotInEvidence

          3 years ago

          Oh, Justin, why must you be so combative!

        • MLB-what-ifs

          3 years ago

          Gotham – you can’t blame realgone, because he has not learned to read yet…..

  19. Jason Turpin

    3 years ago

    Is this punishment a joke?! It’s a slap in the face to all the other organizations.

    Reply
    • REDSOXFAN5824

      3 years ago

      Ok Marlins Fan

      Reply
  20. andrewgauldin

    3 years ago

    I wanna know if Dave Dombrowski knew about the Astros shenanigans in 2017, and hired Cora so that he’d lead the way in this cheating scheme.

    Reply
  21. Dorothy_Mantooth

    3 years ago

    The Red Sox still maintain their innocence in this whole matter. I wonder if there is any way to appeal the decision? I guess we need to wait until the report is released before jumping to any conclusions, but it seems like whatever they allegedly did was much less severe than what Houston was doing.

    Reply
    • lowereastsider

      3 years ago

      Uhhh… CEO Sam Kennedy has already stated the org is accepting the commish’s ruling. It’s in the article above. And also 65 witness interviews. What is there to appeal?

      Reply
  22. em650r

    3 years ago

    Alex cheating Cora

    Reply
    • pasha2k

      3 years ago

      I love Cora, but I know he made some bad choices, doesn’t mean we can’t all forgive him, eh?

      Reply
    • 4WSsince04

      3 years ago

      I could not stand Alex Cora, so as a Red Sox fan that was the best thing that came out of this – – Cora’s firing. Lol

      Reply
      • 4WSsince04

        3 years ago

        He was a bad in game manager….

        Reply
  23. Joe Says...

    3 years ago

    Get rid of the replay room.

    Reply
  24. pinkerton

    3 years ago

    What did everyone have for lunch today? I had Wawa

    Reply
    • realgone2

      3 years ago

      Beef tongue tacos.

      Reply
  25. Vizionaire

    3 years ago

    manfried chicken!

    Reply
    • nymetsking

      3 years ago

      Sounds tasty. Do they do delivery or just curbside pickup?

      Reply
      • hOsEbEeLiOn

        3 years ago

        Quality isn’t that great. Shady business practices too.

        Reply
        • humphrey x boegarts

          3 years ago

          Takes a few months to deliver too

        • 4WSsince04

          3 years ago

          …few months..?….like half a year and the chicken was cold !

  26. emt126

    3 years ago

    I knew they would get a slap. BS. Just like steroid investigation. Owners were in the committee. Cheating garbage.

    Reply
  27. realgone2

    3 years ago

    What a joke of a punishment.

    Reply
  28. 30 Parks

    3 years ago

    Cora will be back as Sox manager for 2021.

    Reply
    • Gary

      3 years ago

      I seriously doubt Alex Cora gets a job in Major League Baseball as a manager ever again. He’s done.

      He received punishment today for what he did with the Astros in 2017. He violated rules big time. He is absolutely done.

      His fate is an iPad and a cell phone and a rental car and frequent flyer miles, scouting for teams as an independent contractor.

      Reply
      • 30 Parks

        3 years ago

        Yes, I’m familiar with the situation. Cora fell on his sword, he did the right thing after getting busted – contrition and accountability (a similar forgiveness greeted steroid abusers that didn’t run from the truth). There will be a second coming for Cora, the Sox quiet handling of the matter and subsequent delay in naming Cora’s permanent replacement speak to same. This worked out well for the Sox, but Cora most of all.

        Reply
  29. emac22

    3 years ago

    BTW – When 20% of the time means whenever a runner is in scoring position it means much more than cheating 20% of the time.

    It also means you made a proactive attempt to hide your cheating by only doing it when you can claim a runner saw something.

    Reply
    • Dorothy_Mantooth

      3 years ago

      Actually, it’s the opposite of that. They had runners on 2nd base in 19.7% of all at bats and only on a FEW occasions (“small percentage”) were sign sequences changed and relayed to the runner at 2nd base. So it was much, much lower than 20% of all at bats. Here’s the exact wording:

      Watkins communicated sign sequences in a manner that indicated that he had decoded them from the in-game feed in only a small percentage of those occurrences.

      They didn’t use any other methods to try and communicate with a batter (like Houston did). This is really what all teams do (or did) with live people in the stands trying to decode pitch sequences for the last 50+ years.

      Reply
      • pasha2k

        3 years ago

        Thank you Dorothy.

        Reply
      • MLB-what-ifs

        3 years ago

        Dorothy – your recap is spot on…. runner on second and only if Watkins had decoded the signs…looks like it did not happen that often…..but the months of wait for this only made it seem bigger than it was……there is way more cheating in the NBA and that why i quit watching it……

        Reply
  30. GoAwayRod

    3 years ago

    And AMAZINGLY still not a single word about the larger implications of this sort of thing in the wide world of GAMBLING!

    People all over the locker room, trainers, janitors, cup-of-coffee minor leaguers making the minimum, coaches, attendants… ALL KNOW that a team is cheating to boost their odds of winning. They can ALL place bets in real-time with odds that are tethered to in-game situations and odds.

    And NOBODY uses this information to get favorable odds and make bets that they know they’ll cash in on?

    Sees like a pretty bizarre notion that NOBODY got action based on this knowledge. Isn’t that RULE #1 of gambling? Find an edge?

    My uncle used to hang around the horse track hours before the races, talk to trainers, watch the horses go for their walks, all sorts of stuff that the average casual bettor can’t even fathom. Why? Looking for an edge.

    All these people around the Sox and Astros had HUGE insider information. And nobody cashed in? Amazing! Like a bunch of catholic saints!

    Reply
    • HalosHeavenJJ

      3 years ago

      I hadn’t thought about this, but you are right. Fight fans go to public workouts and weigh ins. Football guys walk college campuses trying to get rumors on guys. Like your uncle, trying to get that little edge.

      No doubt somebody somewhere was placing bets and making nice coin.

      Reply
      • MLB-what-ifs

        3 years ago

        I would not be surprised if NBA officials get paid off to call a game closer for one team or another affecting outcomes. There is one form of cheating or another all the time in sports.

        I have seen high school basketball coaches teach their team to foul so they will not get caught by the referees. Great education for life…that cheating is acceptable as long as you don’t get caught…… not acceptable!

        Reply
    • Gary

      3 years ago

      These guys on small paychecks like Clubhouse staff etc that you mentioned are not going to gamble on their team based on inside information they received. They would never take that risk and get fired.

      Reply
    • MLB-what-ifs

      3 years ago

      If people are stupid enough to gamble on sports when they know there is cheating and manipulation all the time then they deserve to lose money.

      Easiest cheating is pay an athlete to say he is hurt and skip a game at the last minute…..,i am sure it happens.

      Reply
  31. papasmurf25

    3 years ago

    MLB is a joke

    Reply
  32. Boogaloo

    3 years ago

    Lol, look at you desperatly trying to drag the Yankees into this. The only thing the Spankees did was blow the whistle on Boston and Houston, take your bias elsewhere. The only thing the Spankees got in trouble for was trying to catch the red Sox cheating, wake up. You’re ajoke

    Reply
    • HaloHonk4Life

      3 years ago

      Back off Bugaloo

      Reply
  33. luclusciano

    3 years ago

    I am super slow. So, the only person punished is a staffer, who did what? Are they saying information was gathered and used, but nobody other then the 1 staffer used it? Wouldn’t someone have had to use the data for something? If data was collected, but it was used for nothing, then what really happened?

    Reply
    • gwell55

      3 years ago

      Actually When the staffer used the replay data from “yesterday’s game video” that was legal to decipher. What he did wrong was use in game replay system to try to decipher signals for that game … so he could violated that rule…. however he did it twas only useful if he to players in a small amount of the time as pitchers had to have someone on base for him to decipher then later in the game tell some player what he found.. No one else was involved they found so that is the reasoning on the investigation.. The players interviewed and some noted it wasn’t very useful as pitcher and catcher change up signs frequently during a game.

      Reply
  34. JDGoat

    3 years ago

    Beisbolista weeps

    Reply
  35. HalosHeavenJJ

    3 years ago

    And again Boston gets off easy.

    But I’m sure this scandal and Betts performing 3+ WAR better than usual are completely coincidental.

    Reply
  36. Brixton

    3 years ago

    They got the same punishment as the Yankees got for signing Gerrit Cole. Got it.

    Reply
  37. Dorothy_Mantooth

    3 years ago

    Cora will be back managing the Red Sox in 2021! Houston tried to pin the entire cheating scandal on him, when now we know it was devised by the front office and pushed down to Cora by management. Now that he’s off the hook in the Boston cheating scandal, the door is wide open for his return. Viva La Cora!!!!

    Reply
    • pasha2k

      3 years ago

      I love Cora, n I think AJ threw him under the bus. I, like Dorothy, hopes Cora will be back with the RS, which I always thought when they hired the bench coat n why they knew he was safe fir the Owners to hire.

      Reply
      • AssumeFactsNotInEvidence

        3 years ago

        Sox are going to hire AJ Hinch! They want a man who knows how to beat up a TV screen.

        Reply
      • MLB-what-ifs

        3 years ago

        Pasha2k – after reading all the comments here i would not rehire Cora just for the PR.

        Reply
  38. hankwilliamsfan1986

    3 years ago

    did any of you morons actually read it? the replay guy was the guilty one and it was only done in a small percentage so it had no effect on play, you still have to play the games. just more jealous fans whose teams never win anything. let’s see you react like this when your team gets investigated.

    Reply
    • HalosHeavenJJ

      3 years ago

      Read it but with healthy skepticism. Hard to think Cora went from being an integral part of cheating in 2017 to a non-entity in 2018

      Reply
      • jjd002

        3 years ago

        Exactly. It’s as believable as Barry Bonds being clean.

        Reply
  39. tigerdoc616

    3 years ago

    Punishment seems reasonable given what the Red Sox did was way less systematic than the Astros. Whether or not the Astros punishment was appropriate or not is no longer the issue. It set the precedent that the Red Sox were going to be judged.

    Reply
    • ScottCFA

      3 years ago

      Mostly agree, Doc. However, this was Watkins’ second offense. While it isn’t as egregious as what the Astros did, Watkins as a recidivist probably should have been banned from baseball for at least as long as Astros’ personnel as a way of dissuading employees from going along with impermissable use of technology.

      Reply
  40. Mollysdad

    3 years ago

    MLB acknowledged the front office’s extensive efforts to communicate and enforce the rules and concluded that Alex Cora, the coaching staff, and most of the players did not engage in, nor were they aware of, any violations, banned manager Alex Cora through 2020 although apparently only due to Cora’s wrongdoings with the 2017 Astros

    Reply
    • Brixton

      3 years ago

      Yes and MLB also concluded there were not electric buzzers when there is more than enough reasonable doubt to that statement. MLB can’t afford arguably the last 3 WS all to be considered tainted, so they could be covering.

      Reply
      • jjd002

        3 years ago

        Maybe because there was absolutely no decent evidence that there was buzzers used by any team, at any time.

        Reply
  41. kiddhoff

    3 years ago

    No surprise here. Boston cheated again. Manfred sweeps it under the rug so he can focus on foolish rule changes. Boston came out smelling like a rose. Does anyone now take Manfred seriously?

    Reply
    • RobBoSoxNMariners

      3 years ago

      Actually the evidence shows you are incorrect.

      Reply
      • kiddhoff

        3 years ago

        The evidence made public shows I am incorrect, yes.

        Reply
        • KYRedSox17

          3 years ago

          You probably think COVID19 is a lie too…

  42. dlevin11

    3 years ago

    Welcome back in 2021 Alex Cora. No harm No foul

    Reply
  43. dlevin11

    3 years ago

    So Red Sox lose a second round draft pick.

    Reply
  44. cas1120

    3 years ago

    What a total joke. They throw the video guy under the bus – this just stinks of corruption.

    Reply
  45. trace

    3 years ago

    I’m here for the tears.

    Reply
    • Dotnet22

      3 years ago

      You crying?

      Reply
      • trace

        3 years ago

        no, you?

        Reply
  46. Rumncoke

    3 years ago

    wow that’s it

    Reply
  47. Sammythewayoutseal

    3 years ago

    Did I miss something or did he not identify the names of the players that took advantage of the situation? He does go out of his way to state that most players and Cora were unaware.

    Reply
    • Brixton

      3 years ago

      Bogey went from a .746 OPS w/ RISP in ’17 vs 1.130 in ’18 lol

      Reply
    • Steve Adams

      3 years ago

      Players were not named specifically, no. Same as with the Astros report, where only Carlos Beltran (who had since retired) was named.

      In this instance, based on the manner in which illegal data was obtained — decoded in video room, conveyed to dugout, relayed to runner on second base, relayed to hitter — it’d be almost impossible to glean which specific hitters benefited when. There’s no trash can bang to make each violation readily apparent.

      It’s likely that every hitter benefited to some extent at various points of the season. And while you can draw your own conclusions about whether they truly weren’t aware of the scheme, it also stands to reason that even if they did know of the scheme’s existence, they likely didn’t know on a per-at-bat basis whether they were getting real-time sign sequences from the replay room or just being signaled based on pre-game, advance scouting reports (which, again, are legal).

      Reply
      • mike156

        3 years ago

        Steve, for your sake and ours, let’s hope baseball begins again. These endless food-fights about how MLB is dealing with one institutional issue after another, to say nothing of the debates about COVID-19, are not as fun. They just raise distrust in the business model of the game, the leadership, and the integrity of what’s happening on the field..

        Reply
  48. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    Cora should be banned for much longer given he tainted 2 franchises

    Reply
  49. Dom2

    3 years ago

    and *2018

    Reply
  50. Dom2

    3 years ago

    MANFRED SUCKS!

    Reply
  51. lowtalker1

    3 years ago

    That’s the weakest freakin thing I’ve ever heard

    Reply
  52. Dom2

    3 years ago

    All New England teams CHEAT!

    Reply
  53. Losbravos69

    3 years ago

    Boston signs replay, but replay had a qualifying offer attached. therefore losing 2nd round draft pick. But if replay has another 4+ war season it will all be worth it. Bold move

    Reply
  54. brucenewton

    3 years ago

    So the Red Sox relayed signs from second base when a runner was out there. If they investigated all 30 teams they’d find that. Cora got busted for letting Beltran do his thing. Yawn.

    Reply
    • Priggs89

      3 years ago

      That’s not the illegal part… read again

      Reply
  55. ScottCFA

    3 years ago

    J.T. Watkins “vehemently denied” the accusations and promised to never do it again!

    Reply
    • nymetsking

      3 years ago

      lol

      Reply
  56. whyhayzee

    3 years ago

    Punishment is actually more severe than the “crime” and only done so mlb doesn’t lose face. One guy went slightly rogue. Nobody really paid much attention. This is a good story.

    Reply
  57. extreme113

    3 years ago

    He did it the “Army way”.

    Reply
  58. yanks23

    3 years ago

    What a joke

    Reply
  59. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    if im honest i think the punishment is mostly fair given what the report suggests. if Watkins made it seem like he did nothing wrong then i dont see a reason to blame anyone here but him and the owner. (given he probably should have known about this as it is his team) maybe a bit light on him but that they punished Watkins is what is most important. Cora punishment is light but i dont see him getting another gig anyway so the point is moot.

    Reply
    • Redwood13

      3 years ago

      Why didn’t the Red Sox stand up and fire Watkins after this came out like Astros fired their manager and GM?

      Reply
  60. RobBoSoxNMariners

    3 years ago

    Ooo this one has to hurt the Red Sox haters who speculated sooo incorrectly for so long. Hahahaha

    Reply
    • qbass187

      3 years ago

      The truth won’t stop them. They’re too invested at this point.

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        3 years ago

        this site is full of sharks. bleed one drop and they’ll persue you for miles.

        Reply
  61. fieldsj2

    3 years ago

    A small percentage of those occurrences? Give me a break, of course their gonna minimalize what really happened. This is basically sweeping the whole thing under the rug, and hoping it goes away! It’s ridiculous that the people who benefited the most from this are once again off scot-free! I guess the replay systems operator came up with this all by himself and probably was charging the “limited number of Red Sox players” by the pitch. Manfred must really think baseball fans are morons.

    Reply
  62. Bleedsblue81

    3 years ago

    They all lied to Manfred after they saw what happened in Houston. They found a scapegoat and lied lied lied. The reports and punishments should have been released at the same time, commissioner is a joke.

    Reply
    • qbass187

      3 years ago

      Based on?

      Reply
      • MLB-what-ifs

        3 years ago

        Bleeds is all knowing, a mind reader, an IQ of 200. That is why his crystal tells him special things………not

        Reply
    • averagejoe15

      3 years ago

      What happened in Houston that would make them want to lie? The punishment that has little to no material effect on the players outside of fan taunting?

      Also, further information related to these scandals is going to come out during the ongoing court cases involving both the Astros and Red Sox brought about by fans and former players. You really think that if broader org involvement in the cheating could be proven that Manfred would cover it up, only for it to come out in court documentation?

      There certainly could be more here than we are led to believe but you’re grasping at straws if you think this can be tied to the (previous) front office at this point.

      Reply
      • Bleedsblue81

        3 years ago

        Fines and draft pick forfeiture plus players admitting that they cheated is what happened. No player wants to be the next Altuve or Bregman. Come on now the video guy was not doing it for his benefit.

        Reply
        • DarkSide830

          3 years ago

          im sure if he was able to pick up on guys signs to the point where it was helping the team he’d have more staying power.

  63. kreckert

    3 years ago

    I’m not sure why they’re bothering to do any punishment at all.

    1) The punishments they’re handing down are less than a slap on the wrist
    2) Every team was doing this. Every damn one. That’s why they’re only giving slaps on the wrist to the ones stupid enough to get caught. Anyone saying otherwise is either an idiot or a liar.
    3) The sport has no integrity. It hasn’t had any in decades. And you know what, who cares? Sports exist to entertain and for absolutely no other reason, so why not just admit it and be done with it. They’re not going to do one damn thing to legitimately clean it up, so if it’s going to be the wild wild west, why not just be honest about it. It won’t lessen the entertainment value at all. I won’t stop watching. No one else will either.

    Reply
    • 4WSsince04

      3 years ago

      Kreckert – you nailed it. Pitchers have been throwing spitballs, using grease, nail files…. for decades, batters cork bats, steroid use was rampant…..how many players, managers, or front office people were suspended or fined or fired for that matter?…..not even a slap on the wrist…MLB is entertainment and if people don’t want to watch the product spend your time and money elsewhere….all the complaints about who is cheating more is bs. Most of the unhappy people on this site should see a psychology….

      I used to come to this site for trade news. Now it is MLB WHAT IFS.COM ……click bate for grumbling about the MLB. If you don’t like baseball the way it is, go find another sport because like you all have said it’s not changing

      All you commenters can be miserable together

      Reply
      • Javia

        3 years ago

        You seem pretty miserable yourself 4WS.

        Reply
        • MLB-what-ifs

          3 years ago

          Javia – not at all miserable just disappointed that most of the posts on this site have become a snarky bunch of people posting trash.

          I hope you enjoy Chula Vista. It is finally going to warm up next week.

  64. qbass187

    3 years ago

    What a huge waste of time that was. That’s the same thing every team does. Lol.

    Reply
  65. VonPurpleHayes

    3 years ago

    Astros fans licking their lips waiting to drop the “all-teams-cheat” comments.

    Reply
    • wild bill tetley

      3 years ago

      Hayes are you implying the other 28 teams don’t cheat? Trying to find the humor in your comment and can’t.

      Reply
      • VonPurpleHayes

        3 years ago

        Not implying anything. Simply stating how excited Astros fans are to see another fanbase get abused.

        Since you asked, I don’t think any team in baseball was cheating like the Astros did, including the Red Sox, but I understand that’s debatable. It’s a slippery slope and baseball has a long, scandalous history.

        Reply
        • wild bill tetley

          3 years ago

          I agree. Cheating is rampant all over baseball. Astros and Sox took it to another level.

  66. ChiSoxCity

    3 years ago

    From this point forward, make the damn rules clear. No cheating! If you’re caught,

    1. Any playoffs wins should be forfeited. That includes championships!

    2. Banned from the league for one FULL season for the first offense. Banned for life for repeat offenders.

    3. The team should be fined $20M, and be stripped of all 1st and 2nd round draft picks for TWO years.

    4. Lastly, anyone caught lying or attempting to cover up cheating during the league’s investigation should be banned for life! If the MLBPA won’t agree to this, let them be judged by public opinion. Then start the season with amateur players. No more rigged championships! Screw the players.

    Reply
    • averagejoe15

      3 years ago

      Right….

      1. Forfeiting playoff wins and championships is a fruitless endeavor. Retroactively saying the 2017 Astros never won the WS doesn’t impact the benefits generated from that win nor does it take away or alter fan memories of those seasons. Vacating a championship retroactively is legitimately pointless.

      2. Who is getting banned from the league? An entire team? Individual players? Coaches? Front office personnel? I agree with banning the responsible party, I don’t agree with banning everyone who was involved.

      3.. The max fine the commissioner can levy against a team is $5M which was determined by the owners themselves. And the Astros were in fact stripped of picks for ‘TWO’ years.

      4. There is already precedent for banning individuals for life if they do not cooperate with MLB’s investigation, that’s what happened to Coppolella. That said, Manfred intentionally gave players immunity to help facilitate honest responses. Also, why ‘screw the players?’ If anyone should be held accountable for the scandals it is the people in charge. I can understand wanting player punishment, but unless the scheme is entirely player driven, there are bigger fish to fry.

      Reply
      • WillieWildkat

        3 years ago

        Your post makes little sense.

        1. Forfeiting playoff wins and championships is not a fruitless endeavor. Sure the Astros benefited financially and their fans have memories but a sanction will prevent them from benefiting of the likeness of that championship season going forward- try selling commemorative DVDs and swag now, as you’re just setting up the buyer to be clowned whenever they go out in public. And fan memories of the season going forward will take on a new meaning as is already going on. There’s Alex Bregman and Carlos Beltran, son, point and laugh.

        2. Who is getting banned from the league? Worried about over penalizing? Buck Weaver and the other 7 Black Sox say hi!

        3. Why the antitrust exemption should go. A commissioner should be able to go above and beyond the agreement and effectively penalize the team an amount above and beyond the $5 MM by forcing them to disgorge profits equivalent to what the team benefited from the championship. The way the RICO laws allow the feds to seize assets gained as a result of a fraudulent activity. Put the ball in the Astros court. If the team wants to be bigger Aholes and drag the league office to court, so be it.

        4. “Screwing the players?” For knowingly committing a fraud on the sport? We get it, they were only following orders, like the guards at the camps.

        Reply
    • MLB-what-ifs

      3 years ago

      Let’s give the Dodgers the 2017 World Series trophy. I am sure it will be one they will be proud to display….

      Reply
  67. luckyh

    3 years ago

    Where were the buzzers? They was no way they were doing it in the WS. I am not saying that they didn’t do anything, but not even close. No one seemed to care when Paul O’Neill said the Yanks did the same sign stealing the Sox did. Nope, different standards I guess.

    Reply
  68. normanbates

    3 years ago

    Joke

    Reply
  69. Rangers29

    3 years ago

    Jesus Christ, I feel like MLB just “jumped the shark”, (if you get the reference, you get the reference).

    Reply
  70. trace

    3 years ago

    So there was no imaginary little green men turn up in this investigation.

    Reply
  71. angelsfan4life

    3 years ago

    The Red Sox got caught twice in less than 5 years, for electronically stealing signs. And both times get a slap on the wrist.

    Reply
  72. Ricky Adams

    3 years ago

    The alex cora part is messed up. Manfred didnt see fit to suspend him after astros investigation. But after boston investigation, hes suspended for a season that at the moment looks like a 50/50 chance of even happening, for actions he took during the astros cheating??? Huh? What? WTF r u smoking manfred?

    Reply
    • averagejoe15

      3 years ago

      This is what you’re upset about and you don’t even have the facts right….

      Manfred’s action against Cora was always pending the results of the Red Sox investigation. Had Cora been found guilty of wrongdoing with the Sox his punishment would have been longer than just the 2020 season. But since he was not found guilty of any wrongdoing with the Red Sox he received only the punishment tied to his Astros involvement.

      As far as the wording of that punishment, Manfred already set precedent with Hinch and Luhnow’s bans and since Cora’s punishment was solely tied to that investigation he couldn’t really alter the language of the punishment materially from what was levied against Hinch and Luhnow just because the season may now be cancelled without doing the same for both Hinch and Luhnow.

      All three people also still lost their jobs. It’s not as if they are just going to come back and have a position with a team.

      Reply
      • MLB-what-ifs

        3 years ago

        ….one year isn’t enough… all the haters want blood or life imprisonments….death by hanging…it fits the crime right????

        Reply
  73. Stevil

    3 years ago

    Cora would be wise to avoid LA for a while. He managed to help deprive the city of a WS title with two different clubs.

    Quite the accomplishment. At least clubs now know that a less intricate cheating scheme won’t cost them their top pick… if they get caught.

    Congratulations MLB!

    Reply
    • AssumeFactsNotInEvidence

      3 years ago

      Big Stevie, you didn’t read closely!

      Reply
      • Stevil

        3 years ago

        That’s Stevil to you, and yes, I read everything. I’m just not so naive as to believe that Cora had no knowledge or involvement.

        Reply
    • pasha2k

      3 years ago

      Steve what WS were you watching?

      Reply
  74. Blah blah blah

    3 years ago

    Brewers are next. Get ’em Manfred!

    Reply
  75. Goose

    3 years ago

    The commissioner dropped the ball on how this was all handled. He knew everyone was using electronics. He wasn’t loud and forceful when he warned everyone on the Red Sox/Yankees tit for tat Apple Watch violations. He ended up going after the Astros and this all got away from him. I don’t think the penalties will deter organizations. I do suspect it may stop due to the what happened to Cora, Hinch and Beltran. Players that are not stars or may be start and want to stay in the game after their careers may not want to risk their futures getting caught.

    Reply
  76. badco44

    3 years ago

    So this is the extent of an investigation that took this long to come out with? Pretty lame Commish… now let’s see you get off your rear and get a season started!

    Reply
  77. louman49

    3 years ago

    Manfred is a wimp Astros and Redsox nation needs more punishment than what was put on them by the wimpy commissioner ever.

    Reply
  78. qbass187

    3 years ago

    What do think your opinion of all this is worth? When taken into consideration that you aren’t capable of differentiating the facts of the cases between either team?
    I’ll tell you; ZERO

    Reply
    • Twinsfan333

      3 years ago

      You mean like every internet comment board opinion ever?

      Reply
  79. changeup

    3 years ago

    Cora cheated on two teams, spearheaded both. Worse than what Rose did in affecting outcome of games directly. Should be banned for life, period.

    Reply
    • averagejoe15

      3 years ago

      Spearheaded both? It actually sounds as though he spearheaded neither and 1 team attempted to make him the scapegoat.

      Reply
      • Redwood13

        3 years ago

        Scapegoat really, Beltran and Cora were the driving force, listen what the Astro players said: Brian McCann told Beltran to stop cheating and Beltran wouldn’t listen. Then on to Boston and continued cheating there. The Astros cheated true, Boston cheated comon factor was Cora.

        Reply
      • DarkSide830

        3 years ago

        while ill accept that if he was not mentioned go have known here then that is indeed the case, he seemed quite eager to put Mr. Intern’s ideas into practice in Houston to the point where you can probably pin most of what happened there on him.

        Reply
  80. Stevil

    3 years ago

    What’s sad about this is that Cora basically got a pass for whatever he did with Boston, and his punishment for his role in the Astros’ scheme will apply to a shortened, if not non-existent, 2020 season in which he isn’t even employed for.

    Way to drop the hammer.

    Reply
  81. MarlinsFanBase

    3 years ago

    Take away every championship from every team in history that cheated.

    Essentially, we all start with zero championships once baseball resumes.

    Reply
  82. okiguess

    3 years ago

    I’d be more upset had sign-stealing not been around since 1870.

    Reply
  83. Poppin' Balls

    3 years ago

    Say what you will about both the Astros and Red Sox, and the penalties levied against them the past couple of seasons, but the fact remains: 2 of the last 3 world champions have been proven to operate outside the rules…

    Reply
  84. whyhayzee

    3 years ago

    I remember when the stupid Apple Watch thing came out. Like I’m supposed to believe that the catcher’s sign gets processed by someone, then communicated to someone in the dugout, then signaled to a base runner and then signaled to the batter all in the time it takes the pitcher to nod, set and throw the pitch. Sure thing, bubba.

    Reply
  85. Louiebeans

    3 years ago

    All these slaps on the wrists baseball has left a really bad taste in my mouth. I honestly cannot stand it.

    Reply
  86. brucenewton

    3 years ago

    Beltran. Investigate what he’s been doing before and after 2017. It appears he’s been the centrepiece in all of this. Until then, it’s all incomplete. Baseball needed an outside investigation into all 30 teams. Not Manfred looking into WS winners only. Manfred learned a lot working for Selig all those years.

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      3 years ago

      im not one to say that all teams cheat because to be honest some probably dont. but at this point i feel Manfred owes it to the average baseball fan to dispell all rumours and investigate everyone, or at the very least up monitoring of video rooms and associated offices going forward.

      Reply
  87. Redwood13

    3 years ago

    So Watkins didn’t tell any of the Red Sox players about the stolen signs, bull!! Redsox Players were involved. Cora was the driving force with this, just like in Houston. If the Red sox players weren’t involved why was Watkins singled out. Was he just the fall guy, I guess he (Watkins) talked and no one listened.
    First the Apple Watch and now this cheating hold these teams accountable.

    Reply
  88. Royalrooter

    3 years ago

    Let the haters hate. 2018 was a great year for the Sox. Now everyone can go on with their lives after this exoneration. Now let’s get Logan Morrison to testify as to what the Yankees were doing. He’s already been on the record the yanks were dirty. Plus Beltran was with them too. Let’s get after commish and look into the yankee cheating.

    Reply
    • Eatdust666

      3 years ago

      Morrison also called out the Dodgers.

      Reply
      • MLB-what-ifs

        3 years ago

        The “cheating” was no different than the steroids….most teams were doing it to varying degrees….we need a tell all book by Jose Canseco……..not

        If you like the sport watch, and if you don’t then stop watching. You are raising your blood pressure about nothing important….go take your meds

        Reply
    • brucenewton

      3 years ago

      Manfred stated he refuses to look into his boyhood team. Tiexiera has already come out and detailed that Beltran and Arod were doing the same stuff with the yankees.

      Reply
  89. emasino69

    3 years ago

    LOL low level employee

    Reply
  90. Web

    3 years ago

    good and cora should keep his political views to himself as well.

    Reply
  91. Melchez

    3 years ago

    In other news… Epstein killed himself.

    Reply
    • erauber

      3 years ago

      He works for the Cubs now

      Reply
  92. Yep it is

    3 years ago

    You didn’t think Boobford would penalize one of his beloved East Coast Teams do you? No way would he do that. The game is in the tank and losing fans yearly. The gutless wonder of a Commish isnt doing anything to alienate the last 1000 or so fans of the East Coast.

    Reply
  93. olmtiant

    3 years ago

    Good,glad that’s over.!!!! Now to move on to worrying about our pitching, locking up our young core, rebuilding the farm system and those damn Yankees …You know the things I use to worry about………… PRE 2004…………

    Reply
  94. sufferfortribe

    3 years ago

    Weak, MLB……very weak. Grow a pair, Rob.

    Reply
    • AssumeFactsNotInEvidence

      3 years ago

      Wow, grow a pair??? Not very PC talk from you, tribe fan. That kind of disgusting hate speech isn’t cool.

      Reply
      • chesteraarthur

        3 years ago

        I hope that’s sarcasm. What a Karen.

        Reply
  95. Yankees98

    3 years ago

    So in conclusion, always cheat. It’s 100% worth it. Every single f’ing time.

    Reply
  96. erauber

    3 years ago

    Amazing, one guy did it all by himself.

    Reply
  97. Ezpkns34

    3 years ago

    At this rate, it’s dumb for teams to not be cheating

    Reply
  98. Ezpkns34

    3 years ago

    Let that be a lesson to all the young fans following baseball. When life hands you lemons, cheat

    Reply
    • Sabermetric Acolyte

      3 years ago

      Well it is part of the game’s history.

      Reply
  99. basquiat

    3 years ago

    If you think Rob Manfred made this decision all by himself, please review the constitution of MLB. If you think the Astros and Red Sox are the only guilty teams, time to lose your virginity. The owners don’t want a lot of digging into their dirty linen. Toss out the two most egregious offenders to get the the media off their backs and hope it all blows over.

    Reply
  100. Maurice Lock

    3 years ago

    Is this 1930s Germany? It must be because the freedom of speech isn’t allowed here.

    Reply
    • chesteraarthur

      3 years ago

      Site is run by leftists, what do you expect?

      Reply
  101. Bartman

    3 years ago

    MLB’s message to all young baseball fans….

    It’s OK to cheat. The penalty won’t be as bad as the success or money you can make.

    Reply
  102. Sarasotaosfan

    3 years ago

    So the bottom line is the Red Sox have less money to spend and their payroll has been reduced and the organization is not penalized for violating the MLB Code of Conduct.

    I am certain this only invites cheating when it really matters.

    A pox on MLB for doing nothing here.

    Reply
  103. baseball1010

    3 years ago

    MLB needs a new commissioner.

    Reply
  104. JDGoat

    3 years ago

    I’m glad all the liars and hypocrites have to eat their words now. Looks real good on a lot of people. Absolute clowns, especially from one particular hypocritical fan base. Good riddance.

    Reply
  105. bigwestbaseball

    3 years ago

    MANFRED IS SUCH A WEASEL!!!!! What a pathetic, horrible Commissioner, the owners must LOVE him. What a joke.

    Reply
  106. phillyballers

    3 years ago

    Should be forced to take back Mookie Betts if the season is cancelled.

    Reply
  107. ZoinksScoob

    3 years ago

    Um, after MLB came down on the Astros, Crane fired Luhnow and Hinch. Why didn’t Kennedy immediately fire Watkins after the ruling was made today? Strange…

    Reply
  108. halo6219

    3 years ago

    What are the odds 1 of those players was Mookie? I believe very high as he had a career year statistically in 2018

    Reply
  109. chisoxjuan

    3 years ago

    What the fans wanted to hear & what the teams needed to hear is Manfred announcing the BoSox punishment for this crime serves as a warning. Any team caught doing what Boston did including Boston itself will be punished much more severely. Such cheating will not be tolerated in MLB.
    Instead he announced to MLB if you’re rich like the BoSox you might consider risking a 2nd rd pick & some pool money to gain such an edge. A team like Oakland or Tampa Bay can’t afford to lose that kind of pool money.

    This commisioner forgot his responsibility to improve the integrity of the future of MLB.

    This reminds me of 7-time Jimmy Johnson & team 48 in NASCAR. That crew chief was caught cheating repeatedly & the announcers kept saying if you aren’t cheating you aren’t trying hard enough. What made it worse is that many of the fans could tell the 48 car had
    a clear mechanical advantage over the rest of the field. That’s the wrong attitude to promote when you are trying to create rivalries & greater competition in the sport. It’s no wonder ratings tanked while they were winning.

    Reply
  110. WillieWildkat

    3 years ago

    So basically, Manfred is saying cheating is much more tolerable if done selectively, and will be punishable by a traffic ticket instead of serious jail time. “But they only did it like 18% of the time at most!” (Which would be sufficient to cover nearly every pivotal moment affecting a game’s outcome).

    Reply
  111. BloodySox

    3 years ago

    Good thing opinions don’t matter. Red Sox still 2018 world champs. If your team isn’t winning maybe they should start cheating.

    Reply
  112. yankfann

    3 years ago

    Bottom line, the Sox only won by cheating. Their faux title goes unrecognized by all fans not on Boston Island.

    Reply
  113. JoeW

    3 years ago

    information was only relevant when the Red Sox had a runner on second base (which was 19.7% of plate appearances league-wide in 2018), and Watkins communicated sign sequences in a manner that indicated that he had decoded them from the in-game feed in only a small percentage of those occurrences……….just a whiff ofsht stinks just as bad as atrd..

    Reply
  114. Backatit

    3 years ago

    Still the MLB can not fairly penalize a New England team. Boston skates despite much more serious infractions than the Braves committed on signing international players. Mangred is prejudiced.

    Reply
  115. SportsFan0000

    3 years ago

    Obviously, the Reds Sox team closed ranks, kept their mouths shut
    lived up to “the code of silence”, after watching what happened to the Astros.
    Red Sox designated 1 scapegoat to take the fall.
    Cora got off way to easily, as did other coaches and players.
    Red Sox should have been fined and disciplined at least as severely as the Astros.
    Red Sox have a long term pattern of cheating (Apple Watches).
    The just keep their mouths shut and cover it up better..

    Reply
  116. SportsFan0000

    3 years ago

    Red Sox enforced “the code of Silence.
    Obviously, the Reds Sox team closed ranks, kept their mouths shut
    lived up to “the code of silence”, after watching what happened to the Astros.
    Red Sox designated 1 scapegoat to take the fall.
    Cora got off way to easily, as did other coaches and players.
    Red Sox should have been fined and disciplined at least as severely as the Astros.
    Red Sox have a long term pattern of cheating (Apple Watches).
    The just keep their mouths shut and cover it up better..

    Reply
  117. SMMIST9

    3 years ago

    To say that this replay guy and only a few players knew about his cheating, is one of the is one of the biggest lies of this situation. Let’s see the team hires a catcher to determine teams pitching signs using video from before and after games. He is the team’s expert at stealing signs. Then you put him as the replay guy watching live video during the game. Anyone can put 2 + 2 together and realize he was put in the live replay booth for the purpose of stealing signs. They already knew this jerk wad did in years prior calling the trainer on his Apple Watch. It amazing how the league office allows teams to play stupid when they have been caught.

    Reply
    • Royalrooter

      3 years ago

      You sound like Alex Jones peddling your conspiracy theory with no actual investigation experience, knowledge of the situation or reading comprehension to understand what mlb found in their report.

      Reply
  118. Royalrooter

    3 years ago

    Now that the Red Sox were exonerated, no player or management suspensions and no fines it’s time to go after the Yankees. Logan Morrison said the Yankees were doing it while he was there and Beltran was with them at the time. If mlb wants to fix this team cheating thing the Yankees are next. It’s obvious what they were doing with Beltran in charge of the video. Manfred, time to go after your home town team otherwise these investigations into astros and Sox are a farce.

    Reply
  119. hyraxwithaflamethrower

    3 years ago

    I didn’t think their cheating was as rampant as the Astros’ cheating, but this is it?!?! Houston got a significant penalty, though not as much as many would have liked, but this is a slap on the wrist. Manfred had the opportunity to make teams afraid to cheat; instead, the message he’s sent is, “You’ll get a penalty, but you still get to keep anything you stole…er, ‘won’.”

    Reply
    • Royalrooter

      3 years ago

      Houston cheated not the Red Sox. The investigation report proved Sox did not cheat if you read it. Your Personal feelings are just opinions and not factual.

      Reply
    • wordonthestreet

      3 years ago

      Manfred had that opportunity with your Astros and blew it letting them off easy.

      Red Sox situation was nothing like your pathetic chesting Astros

      Reply
  120. Simple Simon

    3 years ago

    If a player positions his body between the umpire and the ball to obscure where he actually catches it, then quickly moves the glove and holds it several inches from where the ball was caught so as to confuse the umpire as to where he actually caught the ball, is this not cheating?

    Reply
  121. all in the suit that you wear

    3 years ago

    The 2018 Red Sox had a 0.292 batting average and 0.484 slugging percentage with runners on second base in the regular season.  In the postseason, they had a 0.369 batting average and 0.643 slugging percentage with runners on second base.

    Reply
  122. Backatit

    3 years ago

    Massive coverup by the commissioner to protect his favorite team. Repeat of the light international penalties received in comparison to Braves for same behavior. Yankees get nothing for their cheating. Doesn’t pay to be a red state team.

    Reply

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