Sign-stealing is a long-time part of the game of baseball, but the use of technology that the Houston Astros employed to steal signs cost their leadership and plenty of others part of their careers.
While on WTMJ sister station ESPN Milwaukee at Brewers On Deck Sunday, Brewers manager Craig Counsell discussed the issue.
“What we found out is that in the competitive world of sports, when people are really, really competitive, it’s important to be diligent about the rules,” Counsell told Craig Karmazin on ESPN Wisconsin’s “Sunday Karma.”
“In everybody’s job, you have choices to make. You have ethics…ethics are important. We found some people who broke the rules.”
Counsell said that sign-stealing is a reflection of how players will try to push for advantages, but Houston went beyond the allowable norm.
“Obviously, they took things a little too far,” said Counsell.
“We didn’t do anything different. There are teams legally trying to get your sign. You’re always on edge for that no matter where you go. You’re more careful with Houston because they were good at it. That was the word that was out.”
2018 MVP Christian Yelich says that his Brewers team does not go over that line.
Christian Yelich just went on the record in saying the Brewers have not stolen signs. “We have nothing to hide,” he said. “We don’t do anything like that.” pic.twitter.com/BJcQJjdrDd
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) January 26, 2020
The 2019-20 off-season has also been one of change on the Brewers roster, with a long list of departures like Mike Moustakas, Yasmani Grandal and Eric Thames, and new arrivals like Avisail Garcia, Josh Lindblom and Jedd Gyorko.
“We’ve had change before,” said Counsell.
“Anytime you’ve had success, change is always hard, but it’s a reality in our market that has to happen. We have to find the next player that’s going to be successful for us.”
Listen to Counsell’s take on the 2020 Brewers, including their newcomers, in the podcast player above.,