Copyright 2017 Spokane Spokesman-Review
Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA)
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed on Tuesday a report that the Red Sox used an electronic device to steal signs from the Yankees at Fenway Park this season.
According to a New York Times report published late Tuesday afternoon, Major League Baseball investigators "determined that the Boston Red Sox executed a scheme to illicitly steal hand signals from opponents' catchers in games against the second-place Yankees and other teams," using an Apple Watch to do so.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman jump-started the investigation, the Times said, filing "a detailed complaint with the commissioner's office that included video the Yankees shot of the Red Sox dugout during" a three-game series at Fenway Park Aug. 18-20.
ESPN reported that the Yankees formally field the complaint on July 18.
It was the use of an electronic device, Manfred indicated early Tuesday evening, that was the potential violation as such devices for that purpose are prohibited.
"We actually do not have a rule against sign stealing," Manfred told reporters Tuesday in Boston where, coincidentally, he was visiting Fenway Park as part of his desire to visit as many ballparks as possible during a given season.
When confronted by the commissioner's office, the Red Sox admitted that they used an electronic device to steal signs and relayed the information to players.
Manfred confirmed that the Yankees also were being investigated - the Red Sox alleged the Yankees were using a YES Network camera to steal signs, an allegation Joe Girardi laughed off - but overall didn't seem overly concerned.
Manfred said: "We are 100 percent comfortable that it is not an ongoing issue."
The Yankees won the season-series against the Red Sox this season, 11-8, taking three of four games at the Stadium last weekend.
Sign stealing has been a part of baseball pretty much as long as the sport has been around. It is practiced by every team in some form or another.
It was too soon to say what, if any, penalty the Red Sox could face.
Pirates extend GM, manager
The Pittsburgh Pirates have extended the contracts for general manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle through the 2021 season.
Both have played integral parts in Pittsburgh's emergence from 20 consecutive losing seasons. The Pirates reached the postseason in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Huntington took over in 2007 and is the second-longest tenured general manager in team history. The Pirates have the fifth-best record in the majors since the start of the 2013 season.
Hurdle is 575-534-1 in six-plus seasons with Pittsburgh. He is one of three Pirates managers to reach the playoffs in three consecutive years.
Marlins families to go with team
With Hurricane Irma bearing down on South Florida, the Miami Marlins are allowing families of players and staff to travel with the team on their upcoming road trip.
The Marlins will be leaving Miami after Wednesday night's game against the Washington Nationals for a seven-game road trip to Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Cubs ace to miss at least one start
Jake Arrieta, the Chicago Cubs' 14-game winner, learned that he could be sidelined from seven to 10 days after an MRI revealed that he suffered a strain of his right hamstring.
Arrieta, who hurt his leg while throwing a pitch on Monday, said he will spend the next week with the training staff to work on mobility, stability and strength.
Read More of Today's AB Headlines
Subscribe to Our Daily E-Newsletter
Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy
