Last night a report emerged that a Houston Astros employee was removed from the area around the dugout at Fenway Park by security after he was seen using a small camera and texting frequently. The suggestion being that he was spying on the Red Sox’ dugout. Later in the evening a report came out that the Indians complained about similar behavior during the ALDS.
Major League Baseball has just issued a statement on the matter. Short version: it has found nothing amiss with what the Astros have done and considers the matter closed.
Long version:“Before the Postseason began, a number of Clubs called the Commissioner’s Office about sign stealing and the inappropriate use of video equipment. The concerns expressed related to a number of Clubs, not any one specific Club. In response to these calls, the Commissioner’s Office reinforced the existing rules with all playoff Clubs and undertook proactive measures, including instituting a new prohibition on the use of certain in-stadium cameras, increasing the presence of operations and security personnel from Major League Baseball at all Postseason games and instituting a program of monitoring Club video rooms.
“With respect to both incidents regarding a Houston Astros employee, security identified an issue, addressed it and turned the matter over to the Department of Investigations. A thorough investigation concluded that an Astros employee was monitoring the field to ensure that the opposing Club was not violating any rules. All Clubs remaining in the playoffs have been notified to refrain from these types of efforts and to direct complaints about any in-stadium rules violations to MLB staff for investigation and resolution. We consider the matter closed.”
I have to say, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen the “we were not violating any rules, we were just checking to see if THEY were violating rules” excuse has worked. Heck, the guy who just got out of jail for breaking in to the Astros own system tried that and got laughed out of court and straight to the slammer for four years.
But like the man said, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.