Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Cora was credited with helping to initiate the scheme back when he was with the Astros, and he's accused of using the same strategy in Boston.
- The MLB concluded its investigation into the Houston Astros' illegal use of technology and garbage cans to steal signs during its World Series-winning season in 2017 and issued punishments to those involved.
- Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were both handed a year-long suspension from the league before getting fired by team owner Jim Crane.
- Former Houston bench coach and current Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was also mentioned extensively in the MLB's findings.
- Cora was credited with helping to initiate the scheme alongside players back when he was with the Astros, and he's accused of employing the same strategy in Boston.
- The league will now shift its cheating investigation to the Red Sox's alleged sign-stealing during their World Series-winning season in 2018 - Cora's first year at the helm.
- If the evidence against Luhnow and Hinch resulted in a year-long suspension from the league, Cora's looming punishment promises to be considerably more severe.
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After a lengthy investigation, Major League Baseball has issued punishments for the Houston Astros' cheating scandal that rocked the league.
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were both handed a year-long suspension from the league for their involvement in the team's illegal use of technology and garbage cans to steal signs during its World Series-winning season three years ago.
Luhnow and Hinch were subsequently fired by Astros owner Jim Crane, according to ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan.
Passan also reported that Houston's sign-stealing extended into the postseason, according to the MLB's findings.
Former Astros bench coach and current Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora was mentioned extensively in the MLB's findings. And if the evidence against Luhnow and Hinch resulted in a year-long suspension from the league, Cora's looming punishment promises to be considerably more severe.
Cora was credited with helping to initiate the scheme alongside players back when he was in Houston with the Astros. He is accused of employing the same strategy in Boston once he became the team's manager.
Cora is not the only current MLB manager implicated in Houston's use of cameras to steal signs. Carlos Beltran, who played for the Astros during the 2017 season, was involved in the team's cheating scandal before becoming the New York Mets' manager. However, since the MLB chose not to punish any players, Beltran is likely to avoid any significant repercussions.
The league will now shift its cheating investigation to the Red Sox's alleged sign-stealing during their World Series-winning season in 2018 - Cora's first year at the helm. According to Passan, discipline for Cora "is going to be harsh."
- Read more:
- 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
- Former Astros pitcher says the team stole signs using an outfield camera and went 'above and beyond' to gain advantages in a new report
- Google reveals the 10 athletes who caught our attention the most in 2019
Of all the things in MLB's investigation and Rob Manfred's nine-page letter, this might be the most damning.
The Astros, who won the 2017 World Series, used their sign-stealing scheme that postseason. pic.twitter.com/nnSj1P2k7D
- Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020It is technically not a year-long suspension for Jeff Luhnow and AJ Hinch. Their suspensions begin today and conclude the day after the 2020 World Series ends.
It is still a massive suspension -- and considering Alex Cora's apparently culpability, his is bound to be far longer.
- Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020MLB says Alex Cora was involved in developing both schemes, in Houston and Boston. Discipline will be withheld until Sox investigation is complete. pic.twitter.com/6Y4saIgjgP
- Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 13, 2020"Witnesses consistently describe this new scheme as player-driven ... with the exception of Cora." pic.twitter.com/BbUZHulZlh
- Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020No players were disciplined by Major League Baseball in the Astros' investigation. While Mets manager Carlos Beltran was part of it, he was a player at the time and thus was not suspended.
Discipline for Red Sox manager Alex Cora is coming. It is going to be harsh, per sources.
- Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 13, 2020