HOUSTON, Texas — The Astros are in position to even up the American League Championship Series Wednesday night against the Red Sox.
But, the defending World Series Champions were in an unenviable position Tuesday and Wednesday when Yahoo reported that the Red Sox were warned about a man employed by Astros who may steal their signs during games.
Major League Baseball officials conducted an investigation and released this statement:
“Before the Postseason began, a number of Clubs called the Commissioner’s Office about sign stealing and the inappropriate use of video equipment. The concerns expressed related to a number of Clubs, not any one specific Club. In response to these calls, the Commissioner’s Office reinforced the existing rules with all playoff Clubs and undertook proactive measures, including instituting a new prohibition on the use of certain in-stadium cameras, increasing the presence of operations and security personnel from Major League Baseball at all Postseason games and instituting a program of monitoring Club video rooms."
“With respect to both incidents regarding a Houston Astros employee, security identified an issue, addressed it and turned the matter over to the Department of Investigations. A thorough investigation concluded that an Astros employee was monitoring the field to ensure that the opposing Club was not violating any rules. All Clubs remaining in the playoffs have been notified to refrain from these types of efforts and to direct complaints about any in-stadium rules violations to MLB staff for investigation and resolution. We consider the matter closed.”
KVUE's sister station in Houston, KHOU, interviewed Astros General Manager, Jeff Luhnow Wednesday afternoon about the allegations and the investigation by MLB.
"It's really not fair to be talking about any particular individual. He's doing what people are asking him to do. To put him in an article and put pictures of him is very irresponsible," said Luhnow.
"I think what happens is when a team has success, there will be a lot of other people looking at them to see what's driving their success."
First pitch of game four of the American League Championship Series in Houston is set to begin at 7:39 p.m.
