On Tuesday morning, Major League Baseball put the proverbial hammer down on the Houston Astros, the Boston Red Sox, and a little bit on the New York Mets, for their personnels' respective sign-stealing activities starting in 2017.
Most of the allegations in the report were against the Houston Astros from 2017 and 2018, but it did affect the other teams as well. The Astros were accused of using the replay system from MLB to try to steal signs from the other teams, and of using trash cans to give noise signals to tell their teammates what pitches were coming.
I think MLB had to try to stop this continued activity before it got completely out of control. There have been sign-stealing attempts for the complete history of professional baseball, but the difference in this case was the fact that they were using the replay system to try to gain competitive advantage.
At first, the Astros manager A.J. Hinch was suspended by MLB for a year, but then he was fired, along with the general manager. I agree with this punishment. The Red Sox and Mets also fired their managers, because they were also Astros at the time and were mentioned in the report.
There is only one month until spring training starts. It will be interesting to see who the three new managers are going to be for this year.
They’re only four teams left in the NFL playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans on the AFC side, and the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers on the NFC side. I will be surprised if Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs do not represent their conference in the Super Bowl. Their never-ending offense reminds me of the 1999 St. Louis Rams team that was called the greatest show on turf. They scored 51 points last week after being down 24-0. Crazy!! Go Chiefs.
The Packers and 49ers game should be much closer. The 49ers have not won a Super Bowl since 1994. Their defense has been very good this year. However, the Packers' offense can be pretty explosive too and you can guarantee that Aaron Rodgers desperately wants to add to his legacy as a future Hall of Fame quarterback.
This should all make for some good football games to watch this weekend.
See you on the sidelines!
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A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
