Hinch clarifies buzzers answer
Ex-manager clarifies answer on issue that was fueled by Altuve’s actions
A.J. ’Hinch says he is “not aware” of players using buzzers in the Astros’ sign stealing.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — After his non-denial last week fueled more speculation the Astros wore buzzers to steal signs during the 2019 season, former Houston manager A.J. Hinch said in a statement he is “not aware” of any team using wearable devices.
The statement was posted in a Sports Illustrated story by Tom Verducci, the same reporter who conducted the exclusive interview with Hinch on MLB Network.
“There has been a significant reaction to my answer to the ‘buzzer’ question,”
Hinch said. “To be clear, I have never seen any such device used in baseball. I am not aware of any such device existing or being utilized with the Astros, the players, or any other team.”
In response to rampant speculation that surfaced after Major League Baseball released its report against the Astros, the league said in a statement it investigated wearable devices during its probe and found “no evidence to substantiate it.”
In the Feb. 7 interview, Verducci asked Hinch whether he could assure fans Houston never wore buzzers to transmit signs.
“We got investigated for three months,” Hinch said.
“The commissioner’s office did as thorough an investigation as anyone could imagine was possible. I know you mentioned the emails and the texts and the messages. And I believe it. And I believe in the findings.”
Hinch’s statement on Wednesday revealed that the league quizzed him about buzzers during his interviews for the investigation.
“In my interview with Tom, I acknowledged the commissioner’s report as evidence due to the indepth nature of the investigation, not as an intended non-answer or a way to elude the question,” Hinch said in the statement.
Hinch’s non-denial only heightened the paranoia that began with Jose Altuve’s
peculiar celebration following his American League pennant-winning home run against the Yankees. Amid the chaos, Altuve insisted his teammates not rip off his jersey. He ran into the clubhouse shortly after crossing home plate and changed shirts.
At Astros FanFest in January, Altuve said the thought of his wearing a buzzer was “ridiculous” and “we all know someone made that up.” Josh Reddick and Alex Bregman also denied the team wore buzzers.
During his opening news conference at Yankees spring training on Wednesday, manager Aaron Boone was asked whether he was “fully convinced” Houston did not wear buzzers during the 2019 ALCS.
“No,” Boone said. “That’s certainly one of the great unknowns.”