Allegations of ‘buzzing devices’ against Altuve, Bregman raise Astros scandal stakes
Is the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal about to get even worse?
Allegations from unsubstantiated reports are starting to gather steam, especially among New York Yankees media.
Astros players Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman have been accused of wearing a sort of buzzing device under their uniforms to tip them to pitches. Fans and media have shared video and still images on social media, claiming they show the players cheating. One of the main points of their argument is Altuve’s reaction after hitting a walk-off homer to beat the Yankees in the ALCS in October.
Altuve is adamant that his teammates don’t mess with his jersey when he reaches them at home plate. Altuve keeps his arms around his jersey tightly when he touches home and into a mob of teammates. Moments later, Fox broadcaster Ken Rosenthal asked Altuve why he didn’t want his jersey ripped off in the celebration, which is oddly a thing in the league. Altuve didn’t have a good answer. At first, he delays his response by asking Rosenthal to repeat the question.
“I don’t know,” Altuve said laughing sheepishly. “I’m too shy. Last time they did that I got in trouble with my wife.”
Altuve denied the allegation through his agent Scott Boras, according to Joel Sherman of the MLB Network.
“I have never worn an electronic device in my performance as a major league player,” Altuve said through Boras.
The week began with Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow being fired after they were both suspended for a year by the league for their rolls in a sign-stealing scandal from their World Series-winning 2017 season.
Pitcher Trevor Bauer, who accused the Astros of cheating in 2018, posted an odd video of himself wearing a “band aid” on his chest before saying he was headed to play a card game.
This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 3:45 PM.
