Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
While when one thinks of sign stealing as automatic cheating, it's not always the case, and in the ALDS the Toronto Blue Jays did quite a fair share of it against the New York Yankees, but not in the same way the Houston Astros did it.
During the playoffs, the Blue Jays had their signs stolen as well since at this point it is just part of the game.
Sign stealing confirmed for Toronto Blue Jays against the New York Yankees in ALDS
Jon Conahan of the Sporting News reported on the tactics the Blue Jays employed during the ALDS, and while many consider it unethical, it's simply part of the game. Even the Yankees admitted to doing the same, the Blue Jays were just better at it.
"The sources were not authorized to speak about the matter or share further details about what the Blue Jays saw because the information was sensitive and could impact future games. But this much is already clear: as the Blue Jays and Yankees pushed for the AL East title in September, the teams were eyeing each other closely in search of possible tells.»-Conahan
Similar to how NFL coaches cover their mouths when calling out plays, MLB pitchers need to do a better job at hiding their pitches, or coming up with more signs to throw baserunners off track. It's not right or wrong, it's just a way to get one up on the other. Unlike how the Astros did it, by using cameras, which of course is illegal.
"If teams don't want their signs being relayed to hitters, they need to do a better job mixing them up when a runner is on second base. This has been happening for years and exists at levels far below Major League Baseball."-Conahan
Like every other team the Blue Jays try to get every advantage they possibly can, and for them it worked better than their opponents throughout the postseason, all the way to the World Series, but nobody should think for one second that they were the only ones doing it.
Source: The Sporting News
Blue Jays were reportedly stealing the Yankees signs, but not in a bad way
Blue Jays were reportedly stealing the Yankees signs, but not in a bad way
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16|453 ANSWERS Blue Jays caught stealing the Yankees signs in the ALDS Is it wrong for teams like the Toronto Blue Jays to steal signs in the MLB? | ||
| Yes | 173 | 38.2 % |
| No | 280 | 61.8 % |
| List of polls | ||