Report: Red Sox stole signs via watch
The Boston Red Sox reportedly have admitted to Major League Baseball that they improperly used electronic devices to steal signs from the New York Yankees.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that the Red Sox used a high-tech watch to relay signs by the Yankees’ catchers during a series last month at Fenway Park.
The newspaper said the Red Sox told MLB investigators that Boston manager John Farrell, general Dave Dombrowski and other team executives were not aware of the scheme.
Commissioner Rob Manfred, who was at Fenway Park on Tuesday night as part of a previously planned visit, said he wanted to get the matter resolved quickly. He didn’t comment about possible penalties.
“The only thing that I can tell you about repercussions is that to the extent that there was a violation on either side — and I’m not saying that there was — to the extent that there was a violation on either side, we are 100 percent comfortable that it is not an ongoing issue — that if it happened, it is no longer happening,” he said. Farrell said he knew the rule. “Electronic devices are not to be used in the dugout,” he said before Boston hosted the Blue Jays. “But beyond that, the only thing I can say is it’s a league matter at this point.”
The Times, according to unidentified sources, said the MLB probe started after Yankees general manager Brian Cashman filed a complaint with the commissioner’s office that included video. The newspaper said the video showed a member of Boston’s training staff looking at his Apple Watch in the dugout and relaying a message to players.
The Red Sox have a 3½-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East race with a month left in the regular season. The teams don’t play again this season.
The Times said the Red Sox filed a complaint Tuesday against the Yankees, alleging the club used a camera from its YES television network to steal opponents’ signs.
“No chance,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.
The Times said the Red Sox told MLB investigators that club personnel watched instantreplay video and then electronically sent pitch signals to team trainers in the dugout, who relayed the information to players.
The newspaper said video showed Boston assistant athletic trainer Jon Jochim checking his Apple Watch and relaying the information to Boston players Brock Holt and second baseman Dustin Pedroia. The newspaper said one clip showed Pedroia passing along the intelligence to outfielder Chris Young, who formerly played for the Yankees.
The Red Sox won two of three from the Yankees during the series, Aug. 18-20. The Times reported that in the first game, after Boston first put a runner on second, Rafael Devers hit a home run. The Red Sox went 5-for-8 in that game when they had a runner at second, and won 9-6. Pittsburgh extensions: The architect of the Pirates’ renaissance and the man who helped guide the team to three straight playoff berths are staying. The team said it has extended the contracts of general manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle through the 2021 season.
Both have played integral parts in Pittsburgh’s emergence from 20 consecutive losing seasons. The Pirates reached the playoffs in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Briefly: Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta underwent an MRI exam on his achy right hamstring, and manager Joe Maddon said the right-hander’s next start could be pushed back . ... The White Sox activated infielder Yoan Moncada from the 10-day disabled list and requested release waivers on left-hander Derek Holland.