Do you feel that in the air? Its a rush of negative feelings across the United States, heading straight to Philly. For once in the last few years, it feels like the Mets are not recipients of unwarranted hate. However, the difference here is the negative emotions are warranted to Philly. This week another another accusation of stealing signs has been made against Philly. This time it was the Rockies who say that the Phillies are using binoculars from the bullpen and relaying the signs to the hitter.
Generally I slug off these types of things. However this accusation was made last year during the NLCS and it was also made in 2007 by the Mets.
Stealing signs is part of baseball. Generally what happens is the runner on second base can pick up on signs and try to relay them to the hitter. During these times the signs are changed constantly during the inning and some pitchers will choose to show retribution by striking the hitters. The ability to strike the hitters is what makes this stealing of signs part of the game. Something bad can happen to the stealing team. Also its occurring on the field.
But the Phillies are doing using binoculars and, according to the Mets, cameras. This is just irresponsible. However the next move is now placed on Major League Baseball. Every year they send out letters saying to using devices to steal signs is prohibited. The MLB has now warned the Phillies, but they need to watch the Phillies. The next time something happens, they need to slam an unprecedented fine down. Not unprecendented in terms of the amount of money, but one that shows that the MLB is standing for integrity of baseball.
The icing on the cake about all of this of course was Charlie's reaction. His reaction wasn't to deny it, it was to point the finger at the Mets. Apparently we are too good at home, and to bad on the road, to be playing legally. We are obviously doing something bad. Sorry to tell you Charlie, but we aren't hitting that much better at home, and if you have been watching our games (which its understandable that you are not, but you should at least read the box score) the success hasn't been do to our bats, but our pitchers performing well.
And now I turn to the Mets. This week the Phillies have been granted three extra home games. They have been accused of cheating and then they accused you of cheating. What are you going to do about it? Post it on the bullitan board. Get some emotions revving. Beat them on the diamond.
I don't mind the sign stealing so much, but using binoculars and cameras is going overboard and should be policed. I'm more of a fan of sign stealing when players are tipping themselves. In those cases then yes it is the right thing to do. If a pitcher or catcher is tipping pitches then he should pay the price.
I couldn't agree more with your statement.
When the players on the field are stealing signs, then its part of baseball. As soon as devices and other things get thrown into the mix, it crosses that, often gray, line from part of the game to cheating.