The Red Sox were recently found guilty of using Apple Watches to steal signs from the New York Yankees
On September 5, the New York Yankees submitted a report to MLB after questioning whether or not the Boston Red Sox were using technology to steal their signs. After doing some investigating of the team, MLB officials found that the Red Sox were, in fact, using electronic devices to steal signs from the Yankees.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Red Sox would have staff members who were in charge of watching instant replay videos pass the signs to team trainers electronically. The trainers would then pass the signs on to the players in the dugout.
Stealing signs without the use of electronic devices is not a violation. It is definitely frowned upon around the league, but it is not illegal. If the Red Sox didn’t use any electronics, they would be okay. But, since they violated the MLB’s policy, they were in some trouble.
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MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, made a statement shortly after the investigation. In the statement, Manfred said, “The Red Sox’ strategy violate our rules because of an electronic device.”
The Red Sox countered by accusing the Yankees of using a YES Network television camera to steal signs. MLB officials followed up on this and found that there was not enough evidence of the Yankees doing that. But, officials did find that in the past, the Yankees “had violated a rule governing the use of the dugout phone”.
After waiting some time, MLB finally punished the two teams. The punishments weren’t steep. Both teams were fined an undisclosed amount. The money will go to hurricane relief funds.
MLB says #Redsox fined undisclosed amount for violating electronics in dugout rule and money will be sent to aid hurricane relief.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) September 15, 2017
MLB said found insufficient evidence to support allegation Yankees had made inappropriate use ofYES Network to gain a competitive advantage.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) September 15, 2017
But MLB said during investigation found that b4 '17 #Yankees had improperly used dugout phone and were fined lesser undisclosed amount
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) September 15, 2017
Some fans feel that MLB went too easy on the Red Sox and that the team should have been handed a harsher punishment.
Commissioner Rob Manfred, said that the reason he went light on the Red Sox was because the investigation determined that the violation happened without any knowledge of the Red Sox front office or ownership knowing. Manfred also said that the team assured him that their will be no more future violations of this type.
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According to MLB Network Insider, Joel Sherman, Rob Manfred said that all 30 MLB teams were notified that any future violations of this kind will result in more serious sanctions.