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The MLB found that Houston illegally used technology and garbage cans to steal signs during the team's World Series-winning season in 2017.
- Jose Altuve was booed in his first at-bat since the Houston Astros' widely-publicized cheating scandal came to a head this offseason.
- The 2017 AL MVP was also heckled by a Dodgers fan prior to the spring training game against the Detroit Tigers.
- After an investigation this offseason, MLB found that Houston illegally used technology and garbage cans to steal signs during the team's World Series-winning season in 2017.
- Altuve found himself at the center of the scandal not just due to the hardware he took back to Houston, but also because of his lackluster apology and peculiar behavior that may have hinted at further cheating two seasons later.
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Jose Altuve has long been a fan favorite among MLB stars.
But in light of the Houston Astros' cheating scandal, things are already looking very different for the second baseman.
In his first at-bat of 2020 spring training, Altuve was ruthlessly booed by fans on hand at the Astros' game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, Monday afternoon.
Los Angeles Dodgers fans - who watched their team fall to Houston in a seven-game series for the 2017 title - are particularly incensed at both the Astros players' cheating and their lack of punishment despite their involvement. One such fan heckled Altuve prior to the opening pitch on Monday.
After an investigation this offseason, the MLB found that Houston illegally used technology and garbage cans to steal signs during the team's World Series-winning season in 2017. Altuve - who won American League MVP honors for his efforts that season - found himself at the center of the scandal not just due to the hardware he took back to Houston, but also because of his lackluster apology and peculiar behavior that may have hinted at further cheating two seasons later.
Many of Altuve's counterparts on opposing MLB teams have expressed outrage over the entire ordeal, which also implicated former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora and former New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran. Others have called for the league to resume to business as usual and leave the scandal in the past, but it appears as though fans aren't quite ready to let it go at this point.
- Read more:
- A former MLB pitcher is suing the Houston Astros, saying their cheating led to a 29-pitch, 4-run outing that ended his major league career
- The MLB came down hard on the Astros for cheating, but that might be small compared to what will happen to Red Sox manager Alex Cora
- Resurfaced video footage suggests the Houston Astros stole signs during the 2017 World Series
- Here's a breakdown of the damning videos that appear to show the Astros executing their elaborate sign-stealing scheme with the help of garbage cans
Jose Altuve's first appearance at the plate this spring. #astros pic.twitter.com/axIfy3G1ch
- David Nuño (@DavidNunoABC13) February 24, 2020Pre game #Dodgers fan giving it to Altuve but Astros fan has his back. #Astros pic.twitter.com/jwBYMPqk9Q
- David Nuño (@DavidNunoABC13) February 24, 2020