Astros sign-stealing scandal: Team SACKS GM Jeff Luhnow, AJ Hinch after MLB suspension

Controversy seems to be hanging over the head of the Houston Astros administration. After former pitcher Mike Fiers revealed that the Houston Astros used electronic equipment to steal pitching signs during their championship season three years ago, the repercussions from that incident have now come to light. General manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were fired by owner Astros owner Jim Crane earlier this week. Also Read | MLB Could Use On-field Technology To Prevent Sign Stealing After Houston Astros Scandal Astros owner fires Jeff Luhnow, AJ Hinch one hour after MLB takes action Speaking in a press conference on the back of the announcement, Jim Crane said that he took the decision to fire Jeff Luhnow and AJ Hinch in order to preserve the lofty standards he has for the city of Houston. “I have higher standards for the city and the franchise, and I am going above and beyond MLB's penalty,” Crane said in the press conference. “We need to move forward with a clean slate, and the Astros will become a stronger organization because of this today. You can be confident that we will always do the right thing and will not have this happen again on my watch.” Also Read | Houston Astros Sign-stealing Controversy Deepens; 60 Witnesses And 76,000 Emails Retrieved Astros owner Jim Crane announces the dismissal of GM Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch. https://t.co/xvuj6zOK9x pic.twitter.com/YP5J97AlC3 — MLB (@MLB) January 13, 2020 Just under an hour before the announcement from the Houston Astros, the MLB announced the penalties for the Astros sign-stealing incident. The direct implication of the Astros sign-stealing incident will see the Houston Astros forfeit their first and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 MLB Drafts. A fine of $5 million was also levied on the Houston Astros, the highest allowable fine under the Major League Constitution. However, the MLB ruled that the compensation pick the Astros received for losing Gerrit Cole to the Yankees in free agency will remain untouched. Also Read | Houston Astros Accused Of Using Electronic Equipment To Steal Pitching Signs Former Houston Astros pitcher Mike Fiers told The Athletic that the team used a camera in center field during their championship season in 2017. https://t.co/aEv9Rvl4kZ — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 12, 2019 Astros sign-stealing penalty could work against Red Sox Interestingly, Jeff Luhnow, AJ Hinch and the Astros will not be the only ones bearing the brunt of the Astros sign-stealing incident. With the MLB levying the highest possible fine on the Astros, a precedent has now been set for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox are alleged to have used cameras to steal signs during their 2019 championship season. Two years before this incident, the Red Sox were also fined for using Apple Watches to steal signs. Upon further investigation, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was found to be the "ringleader", according to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's report. Also Read | MLB 2020 Could Be Make-or-break Season For Mets, Indians, And Phillies; Here's How

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Astros sign-stealing scandal: Team SACKS GM Jeff Luhnow, AJ Hinch after MLB suspension

On Monday night, the MLB levied a heavy penalty on the Houston Astros for sign-stealing. Houston Astros then decided to fire GM Jeff Luhnow & manager AJ Hinch.

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