Houston Astros sign-stealing controversy deepens; 60 witnesses and 76,000 emails retrieved

Houston Astros sported a bright orange kit on occasion during ir Championship season in 2017. However, future doesn’t look too bright for Houston Astros currently. Astros were long suspected by rival teams and industry insiders of using electronic methods to steal opponents’ signs at ir home stadium, Minute Maid Park. Earlier last month, Major League Baseball (MLB) began investigating claims that Houston Astros used electronic equipment to steal pitching signs during ir championship season two years ago. That investigation has come a long way in last couple of weeks.

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Houston Astros in hot water

numbers surrounding controversy are staggering. In vember, four team sources associated with Houston Astros confirmed existence of sign-stealing system set in place by team. w, MLB has interviewed almost 60 witnesses and obtained close to 76,000 emails during its investigation. Former Houston Astros pitcher Mike Fiers was among first to admit that team used a camera in center field two years ago when y won ir only World Series title.

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When controversy came to light, Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said that MLB was investigating Houston’s conduct for past three seasons. He also said that he hoped to complete inquiry before start of next season. However, considering number of documents involved in investigation, it seems unlikely that league will be able to release its report before end of year. While sign stealing is t illegal in baseball, sport's wider regulations "prohibit use of electronic equipment" to steal signs or send information that could give a team an advant.

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