Commissioner Rob Manfred released his report regarding the investigation into the Red Sox sign-stealing investigation on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. In the report, the commissioner found that “unlike the Houston Astros 2017 conduct, in which players communicated to the batter from the dugout area in real time the precise type of pitch about to be thrown, [J.T.] Watkin’s conduct, by its very nature, was far more limited in scope and impact.” The report found that manager Alex Cora, and the coaching staff, the front office or most of the players on the team, “knew or should have known that Watkins was utilizing in-game video to update to the information that he had learned from his pregame analysis.”
The report went on to further say, “Communication of these violations was episodic and isolated to Watkins and a limited number of Red Sox players only.” Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred wrote in his report that he does not believe Cora was aware of Watkins’ actions, and he will not impose additional discipline.
MLB suspended the team’s video replay system operator J.T. Watkins without pay through the 2020 postseason and stripped the organization of its second-round draft pick this year. MLB didn’t impose additional penalties for then Red Sox manager Alex Cora. MLB stated in the report that Cora is already suspended for 2020 for only his actions in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal, not for his involvement with the Red Sox.
Alex Cora response
In a statement provided to ESPN on Wednesday ESPN on Wednesday, Alex Cora said that he is “relieved that these MLB investigations are concluded.”
“I am grateful for the Commissioner’s thoughtful and thorough investigation relating to my conduct as Red Sox manager,” Cora said. “I also take full responsibility for the role I played, along with others, in the Astros’ violations of MLB rules in 2017. The collective conduct of the Astros’ organization in 2017 was unacceptable, and I respect and accept the commissioner’s discipline for my past actions.
Red Sox response
Boston Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy stated in response to Major League Baseball’s report and said that “As an organization, we strive for 100% compliance and rules… MLB acknowledged the front office’s extensive efforts to communicate and enforce rules and concluded that Alex Cora, the coaching staff, and most of the players did not engage in, nor were they aware of any violations. Regardless, these rule violations are unacceptable. We apologize to our fans and Major League Baseball and accept the commissioner’s ruling.”
Additionally, in a statement provided to ESPN, Sam Kennedy stated that the team’s 2018 World Series Championship “isn’t tainted as a result of the investigation. However, he said the team’s actions were still unacceptable.
“I want to be very clear that any violation of Major League Baseball’s rules is unacceptable,” Kennedy said. “Earlier this afternoon, [owner] John Henry and [chairman] Tom Werner had the opportunity to address commissioner Rob Manfred, and the 29 other Major League Baseball owners on a call and John and Tom took full responsibility and apologized to those guys for what happened… We accept the findings in the report, and Major League Baseball conducted the interview. It was exhaustive and thorough, and it found that [Watkins] engaged in the conduct described in the report and with a limited group of players. That’s really all we can say, given that it was baseball’s conclusion and their report.”
Who or what is to blame?
The answer to this question is at the heart of what occurred in Houston and Boston. Teams, employees, and players are obligated to follow the rules set out by the league. It is unrealistic to believe that league officials can monitor everything all the time that goes on in baseball clubhouses during the season and postseason. However, it is up to the leadership of baseball to install a culture that does not reward or promote cheating. It is also the responsibility of ownership, front office staff, and the manager to police its players and provide leadership to players to act in a proper way that not only represents themselves but the organization that they play for in a positive light. If the players don’t, then the responsibility falls to the manager and the organization.
It is essential to put into proper context the nature of the Boston Red Sox wrongdoing. According to MLB rules back in 2018 and currently, there is no prohibition on all methods that a club can use to decode the signs from the catcher to the pitcher. According to MLB rules, it is permissible for baserunners, especially those who reach second base to try to decode an opposing teams’ signs. Also, it is permissible for clubs to use video before and after the game to try to decode an opponent’s sign sequences. Maybe this is where the league is wrong, and it might be time to address this issue that has been going on for decades. The “Art of Sign Stealing” should be frowned upon, and those who participate in trying and or caught stealing signs should be ready for harsh penalties.
