A three-month investigation concluded with Major League Baseball finding that the Houston Astros indeed electronically stole signs via a camera set up at Minute Maid Park during their 2017 World Series season.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred released his findings in a nine-page report, which also included unprecedented punishments. The Astros were fined $5 million (maximum amount permitted under the MLB constitution), general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were suspended, and the team forfeited first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts.
Astros owner Jim Crane promptly fired Luhnow and Hinch, and the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets subsequently parted ways with Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran, respectively.
As the scandal was reverberating throughout the sport, the Los Angeles Dodgers issued a statement that explained they were asked by MLB not to comment on the matter.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers were the only team to receive such a directive from the league:
Correction: MLB had conversations with the Dodgers asking them not to comment. Recommendation was made to other clubs. https://t.co/vWgZRTY1Bz
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 24, 2020
“All clubs have been asked by Major League Baseball not to comment on today’s punishment of the Houston Astros as it’s inappropriate to comment on discipline imposed on another club,” the Dodgers’ statement read.
“The Dodgers have also been asked not to comment on any wrongdoing during the 2017 World Series and will have no further comment at this time.”
While the organization has largely avoided discussing the Astros and losing the 2017 World Series, a handful of players have voiced their opinion since the league finalized the investigation.
Cody Bellinger was particularly worried by speculation Astros players used wearable devices as well, and Alex Wood made it clear he would prefer to face a batter on steroids than one who has been tipped off.
The L.A. City Council also got involved, unanimously approving a vote to ask MLB to strip the Astros and Red Sox of their World Series titles and award them to the Dodgers. Manfred dismissed that possibility, with one reason being the league’s investigation of the Red Sox is not yet complete.
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