A Houston Astros official sent out an email to scouts in August 2017, which was obtained by The Athletic.
The executive, later identified as Kevin Goldstein, specifically asked for help stealing signs and included an inquiry about whether or not they would need cameras. They then instructed the scouts to “go to a game, see what you can (or can’t) do, and report back your findings,” according to Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the reaction to the email was mixed by the scouts. While some were intrigued by the request, many were also appalled at the thought of cheating and feared the potential damage their reputations if they were to get caught.
The email is the latest link to the chain of investigation that began last week when former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers told The Athletic that the team used center field cameras to steal signs during the 2017 World Series. It sparked an investigation by the MLB and led many on social media to do some digging on their own, with a Twitter user by the name of Jomboy making a thread containing several breakdowns of the Astros dugout making a loud bang when an off-speed pitch was signaled.
Astros using cameras to steal signs, a breakdown pic.twitter.com/rncm6qzXxw
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) November 12, 2019
While the investigation is ongoing, Passan noted that “there is an increasing sense severe penalties could accompany the investigation’s findings.”
The email, first reported by @Ken_Rosenthal and @EvanDrellich, is part of the growing body of evidence as MLB investigates the Astros and weighs potential discipline. There is an increasing sense severe penalties could accompany the investigation’s findings.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2019
All baseball fans will have to keep a close eye on the investigation’s findings and subsequent penalties.
