The New York Yankees are making a comeback to the World Series for the first time since 2009. General Manager Brian Cashman expressed his excitement about returning to the championship series after 15 years, but also expressed frustration about the past. Cashman pointed out that the Yankees had been cheated by other teams during that period, specifically referencing the Houston Astros who used a sign-stealing system to gain an unfair advantage in the 2017 and 2019 ALCS matchups against the Yankees. Cashman mentioned that he believes the Astros’ cheating impacted the outcomes of those series, implying that the Yankees could have been the ones advancing to the World Series during those years instead.
The Astros’ sign-stealing scandal involved setting up a camera in the outfield to focus on home plate, decoding signs from opposing catchers, and relaying the information to players by making loud noises, like banging on a trash can. Former Astros player Evan Gattis admitted that the team knew what pitches were coming in key games, including during the ALCS against the Yankees and the subsequent World Series. As a result, the MLB handed out suspensions to Astros’ General Manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch, who were also fired. The team was fined, lost draft picks, and was subjected to other penalties. Cashman also alluded to the 2018 Red Sox, managed by Alex Cora, who were punished for similar sign-stealing actions and defeated the Yankees in the ALDS.
Carlos Beltran, who was hired to manage the New York Mets but was let go due to his involvement in the sign-stealing operation while he was a player on the Astros, was another implicated individual in the scandal. During the 2019 ALCS, suspicions arose when Jose Altuve hit a walk-off home run in Game 6 to send the Astros to the World Series over the Yankees, as he signaled to his teammates not to remove his shirt, leading to speculation about a buzzer hidden underneath his jersey. While it was never confirmed that Altuve was wearing a buzzer, the controversy surrounding the Astros’ cheating practices continues to cast a shadow over their accomplishments.
Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding past postseason losses to cheating teams, Cashman expressed pride in the current group of players and their efforts in reaching the World Series once again. He credited the organization, led by owner Hal Steinbrenner, for consistently putting together championship-caliber teams and expressed hope that the current team would be able to capitalize on this opportunity and win the championship. The World Series is set to begin on Friday, with Gerrit Cole starting for the Yankees and Jack Flaherty starting for the Dodgers. Cashman’s comments reflect a mix of frustration over past injustices and optimism for the future success of the Yankees in the upcoming series.
Cashman’s remarks shed light on the impact of the Astros’ cheating scandal on the Yankees and how it has influenced the team’s journey to the World Series this year. The controversy surrounding the sign-stealing practices of the Astros, as well as the repercussions faced by those involved, highlight the challenges and ethical dilemmas faced in professional sports. Despite the setbacks faced by the Yankees in previous postseasons, Cashman remains hopeful and proud of the current team’s accomplishments, emphasizing the importance of fair play and integrity in the sport. The upcoming World Series matchup provides an opportunity for redemption and a chance for the Yankees to prove their worth on the biggest stage once again.
