Manager A.J. Hinch thinks the allegations that the Astros are using whistles to relay stolen signs are pretty stupid and he's tired of talking about it.
“It made me laugh. Because it’s ridiculous," Hinch told reporters before Houston's Game 4 matchup with the Yankees on Thursday, via the Houston Chronicle. "Had I known it would take something like that to set off the Yankees or another team, we’d have practiced it in spring training. Because it works.”
A.J. Hinch on the whistling allegations: “It made me laugh. Because it’s ridiculous. Had I known it would take something like that to set off the Yankees or another team, we’d have practiced it in spring training. Because it works.”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 17, 2019
New York reportedly believed the Astros were using whistles to convey stolen signs during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. The Yankees ultimately won the game 7-0 as they changed up their signs to keep Houston off balance.
MLB cleared the Astros of any wrongdoing Thursday, according to The Athletic. The report stated no officials heard any whistles at any time coming from the Astros during the game.
Teams are prohibited from signaling to hitters from the dugout through whistling or other means. MLB had an official in the camera well next to the #Astros’ dugout in G1 and one in the back of the dugout in G2. Neither officials nor umpires heard whistling. #Yankees won G1, 7-0.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 17, 2019
Stealing signs is not illegal unless an electronic device is used and picking up tipped pitches is a common practice in MLB. The Astros somewhat famously picked up pitches from Yu Darvish during the World Series in 2017 and were accused in 2018 of using cameras to steal signs as were the Dodgers.
Houston's general manager Jeff Luhnow doubled-down on Hinch's comments Thursday.
“We’ve never done anything that’s been deemed to be incorrect," Luhnow said before the ALCS matchup. "Last year, we were trying to prevent other teams from doing things. It was dumb and we shouldn’t have done it because it made us look guilty. We haven’t done anything wrong."
Jeff Luhnow: “We’ve never done anything that’s been deemed to be incorrect. Last year, we were trying to prevent other teams from doing things. It was dumb and we shouldn’t have done it because it made us look guilty. We haven’t done anything wrong." - https://t.co/9AHid1RHV5
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 17, 2019
Houston has never been caught using a camera directly to steal signs, but the Yankees and Rays have reportedly been suspicious of it happening. At this point, though the Astros are just annoyed at the allegations and Hinch went on the offensive against the unnamed source which told the New York Post the Yankees believed the Astros were using whistles to relay stolen signs.
"When you guys ask me this question my face, my name is by my quotes," Hinch said. "My opinions, my reaction is all for you guys to tweet out and put on the broadcast. But when we have people who are unnamed or you guys have sources that are giving you information, I suggest they put their name by it if they're so passionate about it to comment about my team or my players. There's nothing going on other than the competition on the field. The fact that I had to field a question before a really, really cool game at Yankee Stadium is unfortunate. But if we can put it to rest, that'll be the last question I answer about pitch tipping or pitch stealing."
A.J. Hinch says this is the last time he'll ever answer a question on pitch tipping or sign stealing. #Astros pic.twitter.com/DnYFva7Kvc
— Joe (@JoeRiveraSN) October 17, 2019
The Astros and Yankees face off in Game 4 of the ALCS at 8:08 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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