NewsSign, steal, shiver? Yanks on guard
Phillies deny intercepting foe's on-field communications
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
11/03/09 5:52 AM EST
NEW YORK -- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel didn't see what the big deal was. Yes, former Phillies manager Larry Bowa had accused his team of stealing signs during the World Series. But so what?
Earlier Monday, though, Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino took offense to the notion that his club was gathering information about fastballs and curves.
"I guess he knows something that I don't know about, obviously," Victorino said before Game 5. "We play between the lines, and that's what it's about.
"For Bowa to come out and say something like that, if he doesn't know what he's talking about, if he doesn't have cold, hard facts, he shouldn't say something like that. It's just not something that should be said. For you to pop off like that, I'm not happy."
Perhaps, though, Victorino should not take as much offense. There is no Major League Baseball rule prohibiting teams from stealing signs, unless electronic equipment is involved -- a stipulation that the league didn't even recognize until 2001.
Two years ago, the Mets, convinced that the Phillies were stealing signs from a camera in center field at Citizens Bank Park, filed a complaint to the league, which conducted an investigation that ultimately proved inconclusive.
Bowa referenced a possible camera when he accused the Phillies on ESPN 950 radio on Monday.
"There's rumors going around that when you play the Phillies, there's a camera somewhere or bullpen people are giving signs," Bowa told the radio station. "And catchers are constantly changing signs. That's the rumor. Now, is it proven? No."
Taking every possible precaution, Yankees catcher Jorge Posada spent his time in Philadelphia constantly trotting out to the mound, changing signs with his pitchers -- particularly with CC Sabathia in Sunday's Game 4 victory. Those actions prompted Bowa's accusations, which have since prompted responses from the Yankees and Phillies.
CLOSING IN
| Year | G6 result | Series result |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Lost | Lost in 7 |
| 1996 | Won | Won in 6 |
| 1978 | Won | Won in 6 |
| 1977 | Won | Won in 6 |
| 1962 | Lost | Won in 7 |
| 1956 | Lost | Won in 7 |
| 1953 | Won | Won in 6 |
| 1951 | Won | Won in 6 |
| 1947 | Lost | Won in 7 |
| 1936 | Won | Won in 6 |
| 1926 | Lost | Lost in 7 |
| 1923 | Won | Won in 6 |
| 1921 | Lost | Lost in 8 |
"Every team does it," Posada said. "It's something we've got to be aware of and we are."
The only way to combat it, Posada said, is by constantly switching up signs.
"We have to," he said. "In the dugout and in between innings, in the middle of an at-bat, that's why we have to keep talking on the mound."
Jerry Hairston, a veteran of five teams and 12 big league seasons, said roughly half the teams attempt to steal signs with varying degrees of success.
"I think a lot of teams try to do it, and I think it's up to the team to prevent it from happening," Hairston said. "If there are guys on second base trying to relay signs, and if we're not doing a good job of hiding that, shame on us. That's the whole cat and mouse game of the game of baseball. You've just got to prevent the other team from taking your signs."
So rather than complain to the league or anyone else, the Yankees will simply do their best to hide their intentions. It may mean many more trips to the mound. It may mean some conspiring in the dugout.
The Yankees don't care how time-consuming it may be. They're simply worried about the end result.
"Right now, we're trying to win the game," Posada said. "That's all we can really take care of. It's something that's in baseball. It's happening. We think guys are aware of it. Every team is doing it."
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
