San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
ASTROS HECKLERS GET SIGNS STOLEN
Fans hoping to heckle the sign-stealing Houston Astros at their spring opener were met with quite the coincidence.
They got their signs stolen.
In the Astros' first spring training game since their sign-stealing scandal rocked baseball, some fans brought signs jeering Houston, and ballpark personnel confiscated them before the exhibition opener against the World Series champion Washington Nationals on Saturday night in West Palm Beach, Fla.
In a Series rematch which eventually was canceled by rain, the Nats got hearty cheers, while everyone in an Astros jersey — including the mascot, Orbit — was booed.
Houston did not use any players implicated in MLB'S probe.
Two men in Nationals gear sitting behind the Astros dugout briefly held up crudely drawn signs just before first pitch. One read: “You see my hate?” in large block letters. And another said: “Houston” with an asterisk below it, suggesting the Astros' 2017 World Series title should be permanently blemished because of the cheating.
The men didn't get to show off their signs for long. A woman who worked for the ballpark quickly approached to take the signs. They didn't argue with the woman, but they did look confused as she walked away with them folded in her arms.
The Astros and Nationals share a spring training complex.
Matthew Silliman, who held one of the signs, said he didn't know they were forbidden. He drove to the game from Tampa Bay and said he's been waiting to let the Astros know what he thinks of them.
“I'm a big Nats fan and it's wrong,” he said. “They're cheaters.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred concluded last month the Astros violated rules by using a television camera to steal catchers' signs during their run to the 2017 World Series title and again in the 2018 season.
One fan in a Nationals jersey yelled: “Hey Altuve, are you scared to play tonight?” Others screamed “you suck!” and “cheaters!”
First-year Houston manager Dusty Baker said he didn't think the reception was “too bad” and said his team will have to get used to it.
Elsewhere
Cole Hamels rejoined the Braves just in time for their spring training opener in North Port, Fla. But the injured left-hander is still a ways off from using the mound at the club's new spring home.
The Rancho Bernardo High alum signed an $18 million, one-year deal with Atlanta this offseason but informed the team just before camp started that he was experiencing shoulder discomfort during training. The 36-year-old was sent to Dallas to get treatment from surgeon Keith Meister.
Now he's back but says he's waiting for inflammation in the shoulder “to calm down.” He expects to remain in North Port after Atlanta breaks camp for opening day. “I know I'm behind the 8-ball,” he said. “But once I knock (the inflammation) out right away, I know I'll be able to be the best pitcher I can and put up good numbers.
• Right-hander Jack Flaherty is getting the ball on opening day for the Cardinals. Manager Mike Shildt
said Flaherty will start the season opener March 26 at Cincinnati.
• The Red Sox named Jerry Narron to be bench coach under interim manager Ron Roenicke. Narron has spent 32 years as a player and coach in the majors and was previously Boston's bench coach in 2003.
• The White Sox agreed to a $16 million, five-year contract with reliever Aaron Bummer that includes two club options, and a $3.5 million, one-year deal with infielder Leury Garcia.