Houston Astros: Ranking them among other cheaters in MLB history
Biggest Cheating Scandals in MLB History
The Final Verdict on the Houston Astros
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So, after ranking the top 5 cheating scandals in MLB history, where does the Houston Astros scandal stand? It is difficult to say, especially because this scandal is inherently unique in its nature. Never before has the MLB dealt with a scandal involving the illegal use of technology to gain an on-field advantage. However, when looking at similar scandals across the other major sports, most namely the Patriots’ filming scandals, the punishments following have been relatively weak.
Commissioner Robert Manfred is receiving widespread criticism for his rather soft punishment on the Astros. Luhnow and Hinch’s suspensions seem light, as they will likely receive jobs after their mandatory year off. A $5 million fine seems like a lot, but it is not that costly in the grand scheme of things. The loss of draft picks could be costly as well, but there is no guarantee that any of the players they will miss out on will have a real impact on their future.
What will truly determine where this scandal stands is how Manfred decides to punish Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran. Cora and Beltran have been identified as the masterminds behind the sign-stealing scandal, and the fact that the scandal followed Cora to the Red Sox could result in a lifetime ban. Beltran was fired by the Mets before even managing a game, but it’ll be interesting to see how he is disciplined since he was a player at the time.
There are also new rumors coming out about players where electronic devices to tip them off about which pitch is coming. 2017 MVP Jose Altuve has been in the center of these new allegations as a photo has surfaced which seems to suggest evidence of a device under his jersey.
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Thus, this scandal is far from over. However, it already ranks among the worst scandals in MLB history. Since it directly involves a concerted, team effort to cheat, I would put it above any PED-related scandal. Just the Black Sox scandal, it is likely that this scandal had a direct impact on the on-the-field results of the World Series two years in a row with both the Houston Astros and the Red Sox. Thus, at the end of the day, if Manfred lays the hammer down on Cora and Beltran, it could rank just behind the Black Sox scandal.