-
Marly RiveraESPN Writer
CHICAGO — Jim, it was a nice effort.
Brian Cashman's sarcastic response to Brian when he addressed the audience. AstrosJim Crane, owner of the property, made a statement about it YankeesHouston's sign-stealing scandal: General Manager
Cashman said that “I don’t think anybody’s going to dance the tune he’s singing” before the start of the first game in a four-game set against White Sox at Guaranteed Rating Field on Thursday. “I think it's called Deflection. He's trying to make a comparison between a parking ticket and 162 felonies.
Cashman had earlier this week responded to Crane’s comments to USA Today. Crane refuted the New York executive's claim that the Astros' sign-stealing scandal was the reason for the Yankees recent championship drought in an interview with The Athletic this spring.
“The only thing that stopped me was my mind.” [the 2017 Yankees]Cashman stated this spring that the act was illegal and horrendous. “So, when I hear we haven’t been there since '09 ‘…,” I find it offensive. “The only thing that got us off track was a cheating situation that threw our boat off.”
Crane described Cashman's comments to Crane as “extremely bizarre,” especially in light of the famous letter that Rob Manfred, the MLB commissioner, sent to the Yankees last month.
Manfred wrote that an MLB investigation had found the Yankees illegally using their video replay to steal signs, and then relay them back to the dugout. This was in 2015 and 2016. The letter also stated that the Yankees had illegally used an iPad to see a live game from the bullpen. This was in June 2017. MLB fined the Yankees $100,000 and allocated the funds for Hurricane Irma relief.
Crane stated to USA Today, “There's the letters, and you were doing them, too.” “You were there dude. What are you talking? If I was on one of these teams and I knew the team was doing it I would just keep my mouth closed and go about my business.”
Cashman pointed out that the letter didn't state that the Yankees had engaged in real-time transmission of signs to the hitters in live at-bats. This was the threshold set in 2017 in the Astros case.
Cashman stated, “I don’t believe anybody associates it with what the Astros did other than Houston.”[That is]The industry has provided feedback, including Major League Baseball.
After the release of the letter, the Yankees made a statement pointing out that sign stealing was not being punished. Instead, they were being penalized “for improper use” of the replay room's telephone. They also noted that sign stealing was used by many teams during these years and became illegal only after the commissioner had specifically defined the rules.
Cashman, despite Randy Levine's strong desire to keep the letter sealed, said that he did not mind it being released.
Cashman stated, “There's nothing in that letter to be afraid.”
Manfred issued a memo in September 2017 to all teams warning that he would hold staff responsible for sign-stealing violations. Violators would face severe penalties.
MLB's investigation into the Astros found extensive, real-time and systematic sign-stealing violations in their 2017 championship run. This led to a multitude of suspensions and fines including the dismissal of A.J. Hinch was the Astros bench coach and is currently Red SoxAlex Cora was the Houston manager. Jeff Luhnow is Houston's general manager. Carlos Beltran, a former Astros player, has resigned as his manager position at the Yankees' YES Network. New York MetsAfter the scandal.
Cashman stated that Crane's comments were not going to be listened to by anyone. “And the reason why I kind of equated this to a parking ticket instead of a felony is that, as you remember, they lost multiple first-round draft picks and were fined millions of money. They also fired their general manager and manager for their actions. There is no other way to do it. It's a deflection. It isn't being sold. That song is not being sung by anyone. It is what it was. He tried, and I salute him.”
