How ironic.
Red Sox announcer Will Middlebrooks criticized the Astros for being upset with Boston over sign-stealing drama during its 7-3 win on Saturday.
“I had a feeling this was gonna happen,” Middlebrooks said. “Imagine the Astros being mad about stealing signs. But guess what, that’s part of the game, when you can see the grip in a glove.”
The Astros were notably guilty of a major cheating scandal.
In 2017, they used a camera in center field to steal signs and then relayed the information to batters so they knew which pitch was coming.
The Astros were fined $5 million, docked draft picks and GM Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were suspended by MLB and eventually fired.
During Saturday’s game, Astros reliever Hector Neris exchanged words with Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson after the seventh inning.
Hudson shouted back, prompting both benches to clear.
During that seventh inning, Neris intentionally balked Trevor Story to third base.
Story appeared to be picking up signs and relaying them to batter Carlos Narvaez.
Both Neris and Story were coy about the incident after the game.
For their own part, the Red Sox were part of a smaller sign-stealing scandal in 2017.
They were fined for transmitting signs from their replay review room to individuals in the dugout wearing smartwatches.
