American Scandal - Houston Astros: Caught Stealing | The Game Within the Game | 2

Episode Date: October 22, 2024

As Jeff Luhnow and the Houston Astros work towards rebuilding the team, they hire veteran outfielder Carlos Beltran and bench coach Alex Cora to help guide their roster of younger, less experienced players. Both Beltran and Cora arrive in Houston with deep insights into the game, including the intricacies of sign stealing. And after the league expands access to instant replay in 2014, the veterans look for ways to take advantage of the new technology. Need more American Scandal? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive seasons, binge new seasons first, and listen completely ad-free. Start your free trial in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or visit wondery.app.link/IM5aogASNNb now.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hi, this is Lindsey Graham, host of American Scandal. Our back catalog has moved behind a paywall. Recent episodes remain free, but older ones will require a Wondery Plus subscription. With Wondery Plus, you get access to the full American Scandal archive, ad-free, plus early access to new seasons and more. Join Wondery Plus in the W office of the Houston Astros. Brandon Taubman walks toward the breakroom coffee machine carrying an Astros mug. Cheerful Christmas decorations are hanging around the office, but Taubman is not in a celebratory mood. Even though the Astros finished the 2016 season with a winning record, they failed to reach the playoffs.

And for Taubman's boss, General Manager Jeff Luno, that's not good enough. Luno has been using every tool imaginable to optimize his team's performance. But everyone in the office knows that if the Astros want to have a real shot at a World Series title, they're going to have to sign some veteran players who can mentor their talented but inexperienced roster. And there's one decision that has Taubman tied up in knots, the choice between two outfielders, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday. Taubman is an analyst with a resume not unlike Luno's, a background in finance paired with a personal obsession with fantasy baseball. He prides himself on being able to evaluate players

on the basis of cost-benefit analysis, and according to him, neither of these players is worth the cost. Both Beltran and Holiday are way past their prime and analytically unpredictable. They could have one more great season left in them, or their batting statistics could drop off a cliff. But the team isn't really looking at a third option. And Luno has ordered Taubman and the team's analytics expert Mike Fast to figure out the best answer before the end of the day. If he had to choose, Taubman thinks Beltran is the better option. But he knows that Luno prefers

Holiday, who was on the Cardinals during Luno's tenure there. And if Taubman is going to vote against the GM's preference, he knows he has to have a good reason. So after refilling his cup of coffee, Taubman heads over to Mike Fast's desk to review the data on both players. All right, Mike, sell me on holidays upside. Well, he's still got some pop in his back. Hit 20 home runs this season, and that's after missing about 50 games from injury. Pretty good on base percentage. Can play left field, first base.

Plus, he's only 37. Well, 38 next month. Not exactly the prime of his career. Well, you said you wanted the upside. He's still younger than Beltran. He'll be 40 next year. But 29 home runs this season, stayed healthy all year, switch hits with power from both sides of the plate. I mean, it's close, but statistically, Beltran has the edge. What about the downsides? Well, besides his age? His numbers dropped off in the second half of the season, but what? Jeff doesn't like him? Yeah, well, at least he likes Holiday more. He must have made a good impression while the two of them were in St. Louis. Yeah, Holiday is clearly Jeff's

guy, for whatever reason. And ultimately, it's up to him to make the final call. I'm not seeing enough upside to Beltran to stick my neck out. What does Hinch say? A.J. Hinch is the Astros' manager. He doesn't have an official say in signing new players, but as the team's leader in the clubhouse and on the field, his opinion carries weight. He says the team needs more Latin leadership. Right now, the clubhouse is split between English and Spanish-speaking players.

A guy like Beltran could unify them. Well, there's your answer. Yeah, but Jeff is not an easy guy to convince. And things you can't measure, chemistry, leadership, that I don't think we can sway in. Well, leave the data to me. I can make a case for Beltran. And if Jeff still isn't convinced, you can make the clubhouse chemistry argument. That'll carry some weight this year when Jeff's going all in on a playoff run. I hope so. I mean, Beltran's the choice. And he would elevate the Latin players on our roster.

They respect him. He'd be a great mentor. All right, then. Let's make the case. Fast gets to work on the numbers, and Taubman returns to his desk to prepare his pitch for Beltran. He knows it won't be easy to convince Luno to change his mind. But Taubman has been with this organization since it was known as the Disastros, and he's seen how tough decisions like this one can lead to breakthroughs. In the past decade, Boeing has been involved in a series of scandals and deadly crashes that have dented its once sterling reputation. At the center of it all, the 737 MAX.

The latest season of Business Wars explores how Boeing allowed things to turn deadly and what, if anything, can save the company's reputation. Make sure to listen to Business Wars wherever you get your podcasts. From Wondery, I'm Lindsey Graham, and this is American Scandal. When Jeff Luno was hired as the general manager for the Houston Astros in 2011, owner Jim Crane gave Luno complete control of the team. And in just a few short years, he had rebuilt the Astros from the ground up, using a combination of moneyball-style analytics and a controversial strategy of losing on purpose to get higher draft picks. And by the beginning of the 2017 season,

Luno had transformed the Astros from a floundering club into a winning organization loaded with young talent. And amid all the team's unconventional practices, the signing of veteran slugger Carlos Beltran to a one-year deal attracted little notice. Major League teams routinely added aging stars to their rosters to bring some needed experience and help mentor young players. But what analysts like Brandon Taubman and Mike Fass could not see on their stats sheets was that Beltran would bring another dimension to the Astros,

one that went beyond the leadership skills of an all-star player. Beltran arrived at the Astros with a deep well of knowledge about a particular art form in baseball, stealing signs from an opposing team's catcher to discover what the pitcher is about to throw next. from an imposing team's catcher to discover what the pitcher is about to throw next. And Beltran arrived at a time when the organization was already studying sign-stealing as a potential way to carve out a competitive advantage. Sign-stealing had been around since nearly the dawn of baseball and has led to its fair share of controversies over the decades. But it evolved into a full-blown scandal with the 2017 Astros.

This is Episode 2, The Game Within the Game. It's the 1980s in Monatí, Puerto Rico. A young Carlos Beltran picks a broomstick up off the ground, lifts it into batting position, and then turns his eye toward his older brother Nino, who's standing a few yards away. Nino nods at an imaginary catcher, winds up, and hurls a rolled-up ball of tape in Carlos' direction. But Carlos never gets the chance to swing. The ball of tape gets caught by the wind and blown to the side of the street. Carlos groans and asks his brother to pitch it again, but Nino waves him off. The sun's setting and Nino has plans to hang out with his friends tonight. Carlos grips his broomstick bat in frustration.

He pleads with his brother for one last pitch, but Nino has already run off. So with the orange sun setting slowly on the horizon, Carlos grabs the ball of tape and his broomstick bat and starts walking to the nearest baseball field half an hour away. When he arrives, it's nearly twilight and the darkening field is deserted. The air is humid and the sounds of mosquitoes buzz in his ears, but this is where Carlos really feels at home. He heads over to home plate, tosses the ball of tape in the air, swings the broomstick, and makes contact. Tosses the ball of tape in the air, swings the broomstick, and makes contact.

The ball of tape only travels a few yards, but in Carlos' mind, he's hit a home run. He imagines stadium lights shining down on him and a crowd roaring his name. Carlos drops the broomstick and begins a victory lap around the bases, his small hands raised up into the night sky in celebration. This is what it's going to feel like when he makes it to the major leagues. By the end of his high school years, Carlos Beltran's big league dreams are already becoming a reality. He's become a versatile player on the diamond, with a deep understanding of the game, and he attracts the attention of several major league teams, including the Kansas City Royals, who drafts Beltran into their minor league system before his 19th birthday. But the transition to professional baseball isn't easy

for Beltran. He's shy and speaks almost no English. He struggles to communicate with his teammates and coaches. Still, he stays focused on his goals. He cultivates new skills, like becoming a switch hitter, and rises through the Royals' minor league system until in September of 1998, Beltran plays his first game in the majors. In 1999, his first full season, Beltran posts 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases,

a feat so impressive that the American League votes him Rookie of the Year. But Beltran doesn't stop there. He continues working on his game and on his language skills. He starts developing confidence both on and off the field. And in 2000, when a bone bruise lands Beltran on the disabled list, the 23-year-old center fielder develops a touch of defiance as well. That summer, Beltran is ordered to report to the team's spring training facility for rehab, and Beltran isn't happy about it. It's the middle of the season, and the facility is located in Davenport, Florida,

over a thousand miles away from Kansas City. Beltran wants to stay with his teammates, and if possible, continue to join them on the road. So he submits a request to the team's management, but it's quickly rejected. He's told that the decision isn't personal, they're just following policy, and that if Beltran doesn't report to Florida, he risks being suspended. Beltran knows that some teams in the major leagues make exceptions for their star players, and as one of only three Kansas City players ever voted Rookie of the Year, Beltran believes he's earned the right to remain with his team. So when he gets home that night, he picks up the phone and dials his agent,

Scott Boris, to discuss the situation. Boris tells Beltran he's done all he can, but the Royals' general manager won't budge. The team's argument is that Beltran will be able to rehab his knee faster in Florida. Boris says the GM also reiterated that the Royals have a no-travel policy for players on the disabled list and that making an exception for Beltran and allowing him to stay on the road would set a bad precedent. This isn't the news that Beltran wanted to hear. He loves this league and his team,

but he's tired of feeling alienated as a Puerto Rican player, as a non-English speaker, and now as a player on the disabled list. He believes he's proven his worth to the team and he shouldn't be treated like an outsider anymore. So Beltran tells Boris he doesn't want to go to that rundown facility in Florida. He's sticking to his guns, even if that means facing consequences. Beltran's decision to take a stand is a personal one. So he's surprised when his defiance leads to long-term gains for all players. The Players Union defends Beltran,

and other major leaguers begin to speak up about the problematic rehab plans they've been prescribed. The fallout over Beltran's incident prompts teams throughout the league to improve their rehab facilities. And Beltran's advocacy efforts don't stop there. In 2002, he launches the Carlos Beltran Foundation, which offers education and sports to low-income kids in Puerto Rico. For Beltran, being of service off the field is just as important as performing on the field where Beltran, being of service off the field is just as important as performing

on the field, where Beltran is dominating. In 2004, he becomes the first player in history to finish four straight seasons with more than 20 home runs, 100 runs scored, 100 runs batted in, and 30 stolen bases. He's also making strides in his effort to learn English. Overall, Beltran is becoming a hot commodity. And in June 2004, he's traded to the Houston Astros, where he plays a single season before signing a $119 million contract with the New York Mets, the largest in the team's history. And when Beltran arrives in New York, he seems determined to show the world that he's worth every penny. After a brief slump in 2005, he goes on to hit more than 100 home runs over the next three seasons.

He appears in several All-Star games and wins three gold gloves for his outstanding play in center field. But Beltran knows he can't depend on his physical talent forever. So as he nears the age of 30, the mental part of the game starts to appeal to him more and more. And when one of his new teammates starts talking about ways to get even more of a psychological edge, Beltran is intrigued. In 2007, at the Met Spring training camp in Florida, Beltran is at batting practice when he overhears a veteran outfielder named Sean Green talking to a group of younger players about pitch tipping, the subtle changes in a pitcher's delivery that can tell a hitter what pitch to expect. Green is heading into his 15th season in the major leagues, and over the years he's gotten good at deciphering the small ticks that signal what a pitcher is about to throw. Beltran puts

down his bat and listens as Green explains that these ticks could be as subtle as the pitcher flaring open his glove or having a slightly higher leg kick. Often, the pitchers aren't even aware they're doing it. Green tells the younger players that he'd be happy to teach them the techniques for spotting these pitcher's tips if they're interested in learning. But most seem hesitant. One young guy says the idea of watching the pitcher's body language seems like a distraction. He'd rather focus on the pitch. Another wonder is that if it's so easy to spot pitch tipping, why everyone around the league isn't already doing it? But as the group disperses, Beltran sidles up next to Green. Hey, Sean, I picked up some pitch-tipping tricks

in Kansas City, but if you got some more to show me, I'd love to learn. Sure, Carlos, here, I'll show you a couple things right now. Green points to one of the Mets pitchers as he practices his different throws. You see the way he really digs into his glove before the next pitch? He's about to throw a changeup. Beltran stares at the Mets pitcher, and sure enough, he works the baseball deep into his glove, winds up, and then throws a changeup. He needs to work on that. I mean, if I can clock it in just a few pitches, he's cooked out there against a real team. That's such a little thing I never would have noticed. I think of pitch tipping and sign stealing, too, as mental offense in the game. I mean, I'm pretty good at hitting, but I'm a great hitter.

If the other team's sloppy and not aware of their body language. If they don't have their guard up, you bet. I'm working my way into their heads. How long did it take you to get good at this? Well, when I was coming up with the Blue Jays, tipping and sign-stealing were required. Manager told us we had to get signs when we were on second. Scared the crap out of me, really.

But then it became a puzzle, and I love puzzles. Game within the game. What about you, though? Sounds like you have some experience with it. I try, but with sign stealing, sometimes the catcher is throwing down signs so fast I barely spot them. Or I get distracted. Pitch tipping, I don't even know where to start with some guys. Well, you can always start with the pitcher's hands and feet.

What are their hands doing in the glove before they throw? Where do they place their feet on the mound? Watch our guy on this pitch. Beltran gazes out at the Mets pitcher as he continues to practice in the afternoon sun. He winds up and throws a fastball. All right, now where was his glove before he threw that heat? In front of his chest? Where, though? Where exactly? Well, pretty high up, almost near his collarbone. All right, maybe that's it. Now let's test that theory. Beltran watches the pitcher again. He raises his glove to the height of his collarbone, winds up, and throws a fastball. Beltran can't believe it. Almost as soon as he started trying, he found a tick. He glances over at Green,

who grins. See? Yeah, you're getting it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go find a pitching coach and tell him this guy needs to clean up his tells. Beltran nods and returns his gaze to the pitcher, eyes focused, as a thrilling new skill takes root in his mind. It's a skill set that Beltran will carry, refine, and perfect through the next decade of his career, playing for teams like the Giants, the Cardinals, and the Yankees, until he finally lands back in Houston, Texas. And it's there that Beltran's pitch-tipping and sign-stealing expertise will take a turn from the masterful to the unethical. expertise will take a turn from the masterful to the unethical.

On January 5th, 2024, an Alaska Airlines door plug tore away mid-flight, leaving a gaping hole in the side of a plane that carried 171 passengers. This heart-stopping incident was just the latest in a string of crises surrounding the aviation manufacturing giant, Boeing. In the past decade, Boeing has been involved in a series of damning scandals and deadly crashes that have chipped away at its once sterling reputation. At the center of it all, the 737 MAX, the latest season of business wars, explores how Boeing, once the gold standard of aviation engineering, descended into a nightmare of safety concerns and public mistrust. The decisions, denials, and devastating consequences bringing the Titan to its knees. And what, if anything, can save the company's reputation?

Now, follow Business Wars on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge Business Wars, the unraveling of Boeing, early and ad-free right now on Wondery Plus. He was hip-hop's biggest mogul, the man who redefined fame, fortune, and the music industry. The first male rapper to be honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sean Diddy Cone. Diddy built an empire and lived a life most people only dream about. Everybody know ain't no party like a Diddy party, so. Yeah, that's what's up. But just as quickly as his empire rose, it came crashing down.

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While Carlos Beltran is learning the art of sign stealing and pitch tipping with the New York Mets, his future Astros teammate Alex Cora is in Boston, contemplating his future in Major League Baseball. Like Beltran, Cora was born and raised in Puerto Rico and discovered his passion for baseball at a young age. He received an offer to join the Minnesota Twins when he was just 17 years old, but opted to hone his skills at the college level before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1996. Eventually, Cora migrated to the Cleveland Indians as a free agent before landing with the Boston Red Sox in 2005. Over the years, Cora established himself as a strong utility player, specializing in second base and shortstop, but playing almost every position on the field

depending on his team's needs. And beyond his physical skills, Cora was also known for his keen intellect and knowledge of the game. But as he enters his 30s, Cora is forced to face the fact that his physical skills are fading, and that the Red Sox are actively training a rookie, a 23-year-old named Dustin Pedroia, to become their everyday second baseman, which will cut into Cora's playing time. So it's an emotional period for Cora, who has to practice alongside the man who's effectively his replacement. But when the 2007 season begins, Cora notices that Pedroia is struggling to make an impact on the field, and he isn't the only one that sees it. The team's management has also noticed the young hotshot is having a hard time adjusting to the majors.

So they ask Cora to work with Pedroia in practice, and for the good of the team, Cora agrees. So one late morning at Fenway Park in Boston, Cora stands off to the side of the field, watching Pedroia take batting practice. Over and over, Pedroia makes contact, but the ball keeps coming off his bat in the same direction, down the left field line. Cora watches the rookie slap a few more balls into left, then shakes his head and jogs over to the batting cage. Dustin, you know there's green on the right side of the field too, right? Yeah, but it's just my natural swing. I'm a pull hitter. I get more power that way. Hey, look, power's great. But if you try to hit the ball the same way every time, your swing becomes predictable.

And trust me, big league pitchers are going to take advantage of that. So you think I should change my swing? Well, it's more to do with your timing. I think you're just being a bit too eager. Try not to jump on every pitch. Look for a ball that's more outside. Wait a split second longer before you swing. Try it. Cora steps back from the batting cage as the pitcher throws a changeup. It tails away from Pedroia, but he extends his bat and slaps the ball through the right side of the infield. That's it. How'd it feel? Okay, I guess. I never liked hitting the other way because I can't hit the balls hard. Hey, look, the power's going to come.

You need to keep practicing and stay patient. I mean, look, I was a rookie too. You want to prove yourself and hit a homer every time, right? But you got to relax and take what the pitcher gives you. You know what I'm saying? You're saying I need to chill out. Maybe, maybe. But, I mean, you've got got intensity and I love that. Just

don't let it take over every time you swing. When you step up to the plate, take a deep breath. Ball is coming to you, so you need to meet it on your time. Well, thanks, man. But you know, why are you helping me like this? I mean, I might be taking my job. Oh, yeah. I mean, second base is your position, right? No, I'm a utility guy, and I know my role. Right now, part of my role is making sure you're prepared. All right, for this next pitch, try squaring it up and hitting it back up the middle. Cora points straight back at the pitcher. Pedroia nods, takes another pitch, and sends the ball sailing over the pitcher's head towards center field.

Pedroia turns to Cora, smiling. And Cora feels something that surprises him, a sense of pride. Cora's days playing in Major League games might be numbered, but he's noticing a new passion growing in him. He likes mentoring others. Maybe Cora thinks he does have a future in Major League Baseball after all. Maybe he's destined to coach. Alex Cora's career as a player in the Major Leagues ends in 2011,

and he begins laying the groundwork for a transition into coaching. Meanwhile, his future colleague, Carlos Beltran, spends the next few years playing for several different teams and continuing to hone his skills in the psychological aspects of the game. With every season, Beltran grows more comfortable at pitch tipping and sign stealing. And he's about to discover a whole new world of sign stealing opportunities thanks to a new Major League Baseball policy on how technology can be used in games. In January 2014, the league approved the use of expanded video replay in games. This new system will give managers the ability to dispute more plays using instant replay to support their challenges to umpires'

calls on the field. And to support this new policy, every clubhouse has to construct a replay review room. In these rooms, often just yards from the dugout, there will be screens with a live video feed of the game from various angles, and a clubhouse employee will monitor the feed throughout the game in case a manager calls and needs footage reviewed. The goal of this new replay technology is to create fairer calls and games, but it opens the door for other uses, including some that bend the rules. The practice of sign-stealing has always been legal, but limited to what players can see in real time with their own eyes. Teams are not supposed to use things like binoculars or cameras to look for signs

or communicate about them during games. But now these video replay rooms with high-resolution game footage, including shots of the catcher's signs, are providing teams a new way to study their opponents. And players like Carlos Beltran, who's now in his second season with the New York Yankees, are eager to capitalize on this new information. In the summer of 2015, before a game, Beltran sits in the replay room in the Yankees' clubhouse watching footage of the team he's playing that night with two of his teammates.

Beltran's skills for pitch tipping and sign stealing have come a long way in the eight years since Sean Green tutored him on the Mets. Now he's working with some of the best players in the league who are also skilled at sign stealing. So here in the late afternoon, the men huddle around the TV monitor, queuing up footage of the other team's pitcher and catcher trying to decode their sign sequences. They play, pause, rewind over and over while comparing notes. Beltran clocks the catcher, putting down a whole series of signs. Three fingers, four fingers, then two, then one. Pitcher responds by throwing a fastball. Beltran notes that he

suspects this is a classic chase-the-two sequence, where the actual sign is whatever follows a flash of two fingers. It's an easier sequence to crack, while others on the tape are more complex. One of Beltran's teammates points out that their opponent might change their sign sequences tonight, so even with all this studying of last night's footage, there's no guarantee it'll pay off in the upcoming game. But Beltran knows this kind of preparation can still produce results. If there's a choice between goofing off and being in the replay room studying footage, Beltran would much prefer to use his time productively.

But Beltran admits his teammate does have a point. And if the guys don't want to be in here decoding sequences, they don't have to. That's when another teammate speaks up. He also concedes that watching last night's footage may be useless, but what if they were to watch streaming footage of the catcher during tonight's game, right here in the replay room? That could give them a real advantage. After all, these TV monitors are just a few strides away from their dugout. If sequences were cracked in the middle of the game, that information could be relayed to the team.

It wouldn't be simple. If a sign was cracked, someone would have to signal it to their guy on second base, who'd then have to signal it to the player at bat. And there are a lot of ways for that communication chain to break down, especially since all of this would need to be done in a matter of seconds. But despite its complexities and dubious ethics, using this new technology to decode their opponent's signs during the game is intriguing to Beltran. Ultimately, he and his teammates are competitors,

and they're passionate about finding any advantage they can. Besides, the league ordered clubhouses to construct these video rooms. It seems obvious that they, as players, would use them to compete at a higher level. So Beltran tells his teammates that he'd be interested in figuring out how to do it. But for now, he needs to start warming up. So he rises and nods to the players. They've picked up a few sequences of the opposing team. But they'll need more.

Maybe tonight, they can take their first swing at using the replay room to decode them in real time. I'm Jake Warren, and in our first season of Finding, I set out on a very personal quest to find the woman who saved my mum's life. You can listen to Finding Natasha right now, exclusively on Wondery+. In season two, I found myself caught up in a new journey to help someone I've never even met. But a couple of years ago, I came across a social media post by a person named Loti. It read in part, three years ago today that I attempted to jump off this bridge, but this wasn't my time

to go. A gentleman named Andy saved my life. I still haven't found him. This is a story that I came across purely by chance, but it instantly moved me and it's taken me to a place where I've had to consider some deeper issues around mental health. This is season two of Finding and this time, if all goes to plan, we'll be finding Andy. You can listen to Finding Andy and Finding Natasha exclusively and ad-free on Wondery Plus. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. By the second half of the 2016 season, Carlos Beltran has been traded from the Yankees to the Texas Rangers. Alex Cora is eyeing coaching roles in clubhouses across the country and providing commentary on ESPN. And the Houston Astros have started winning in a real way. General Manager Jeff Luno's controversial strategy for turning the team around with analytics is

finally producing results. Detractors still believe Luno is taking the human element out of the game, reducing players to just numbers and data. But all Luno cares about is taking his team to its most sought-after milestone, a World Series Championship. But by mid-season, it's clear that 2016 will not be the year the Astros get there. The team still lacks a few components, and it's never more apparent than when the Astros are playing their lone star state rivals, the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have always been a pretty good team, but this season, they've been dominating the Astros, and it's starting to get to the players in Houston. After one especially brutal loss, Astros relief pitcher Pat Neshek trudges into the clubhouse to

find his teammates looking frustrated and demoralized. Some of them stare at their cell phones, while others sit half-dressed in their uniforms, heads hanging on their hands. They're all wondering how the Rangers got one over on them again, and Neshak is feeling as clueless as the rest of them. All he wants to do is hit the shower and rinse the stink of defeat off of him. But before he can head to his locker, Neshek feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns to find one of his fellow bullpen pitchers, a younger guy who really got lit up tonight by Rangers hitters. Neshek, meanwhile, is a veteran,

an occasional mentor to the less experienced guys. He tells the young reliever not to let himself get too down about tonight's game. Everyone has a bad outing sooner or later. not to let himself get too down about tonight's game. Everyone has a bad outing sooner or later. But the young pitcher isn't just frustrated, he's angry. Because he thinks there's only one explanation for how well the Rangers hit tonight. They must have had the Astros' signs. Neshak admits that may have been true earlier in the season.

But the Astros have been changing their sequence just for games against the Rangers. So he doesn't see how it's possible that the Rangers are stealing them. But the young pitcher leans close and says he's starting to think that the Rangers may have someone sitting in the crowd, getting decoded signs from the video replay room and signaling to their hitter what's coming. Neshaq considers this. He has heard whispers that with the advent of replay rooms, some teams might be taking their sign-stealing efforts into uncharted territory. And Neshek admits that in this day and age, if he were a hitter, he'd bring someone to every game and have them sit out in the center field bleachers with a pair of binoculars to catch the signs. Competitive edge aside, the financial incentives would be too tempting to resist. A 20-point difference in batting average could translate to millions of dollars in a player's salary. But Neshek also notes that when it comes

to sign-stealing, the rules are clear. It is only allowed when it's done without any kind of technology. So if the young pitcher is accusing the Rangers of cheating, they'll need proof, certainly more than just a sneaking suspicion that the Rangers are hitting a little too well. Proof, certainly more than just a sneaking suspicion that the Rangers are hitting a little too well. The young pitcher nods and says it might be all in his head. Still, he hopes that before tomorrow's game, their pitching coach changes up the signs again, and this time comes up with sequences that are harder to crack. And Neshak agrees.

With the advent of this new replay technology, and who knows what else, a new sign-stealing arms race could be underway, and Neshaq can't help but wonder how far some teams will go to stay competitive. In the 2016 season, ultimately, no evidence comes to light that the Texas Rangers used their instant replay cameras to steal signs, But teams all over the league are growing increasingly suspicious of each other's tactics. It's in this environment, late in the 2016 season, that an intern named Derek Vigoa presents a spreadsheet of other teams' signs that he calls Codebreaker to the Astros' front office. At the time, Codebreaker is just one of the Astros' many initiatives

to use data and technology to gain an advantage. They're also using a radar system called TrackMan to analyze pictures by recording the movement and spin of their pitches. And they bring in high-speed cameras to study their hitters and help them correct flaws in their swing. Compared to such high-tech innovations, the GOA's Codebreaker spreadsheet is far from dazzling. But some in the organization are intrigued by its possibilities, including General Manager Jeff Luno.

Still, Luno and his team know that technology alone won't be enough for the Astros to make a real run at a World Series title. So to get the edge they need, they also look to bring on more veteran talent, both on and off the field. So in the first weeks of the offseason, Astros manager A.J. Hinch hires Alex Cora as a bench coach. And player analyst Brandon Taubman signs Carlos Beltran to give the clubhouse the Latino leadership Hinch believes it needs. Soon, the Astros' front office starts to feel like it finally has all the pieces it needs for a truly competitive team. And for Beltran, it feels like he might finally have a shot at doing the one thing he has yet to accomplish, win a World Series. Beltran will be turning 40 years old in 2017, so he knows his time as a Major League player is running out.

If he can't win a championship with the Astros, he may never get another chance. So Beltran is excited to arrive at spring training in Florida in early 2017. But as he meets his talented new teammates, he realizes there's still one area where the Astros are critically behind. One day after practice, Beltran calls for the Astros players to gather around him in the locker room. Hey guys, come here. I gotta tell you something. Your sign sequences are way too easy to pick. Carlos, that was just practice. Why are you stealing signs during practice? I'm not talking about practice. I've been watching your signs every time I've played you guys over the last several years.

They're all too simple. I can pick them up easy from second base. Yeah, well, even if you do know what pitch is coming to you, you still have to hit it, right? You do, but it's a lot easier if you know what's coming. And it makes a lot of difference when you're chasing the playoffs. I mean, a weak team is not going to make a comeback thanks to sign stealing. But for a strong team like us, it's the kind of advantage that can turn a game. But you guys, you're just giving away your signs. They're too basic. Listen, I played for the Yankees, the Rangers, the Cardinals. I've been to the postseason six times. Alex Cora won a World Series with the Red Sox, and he'll tell you the same thing. This is what playoff teams do. They

steal signs. They make sure no one else is stealing from them. They win the mental part of the game. The mental part of the game. Oh, we're just going to forget about the fundamentals? No, no, this is fundamental. Let me put it this way. You've got a former Red Sox and a former Yankee giving you insight about stealing signs, but your plan is to ignore it and keep going with the system you have, the system that did not get you into the playoffs last year. How's that mentality make this a better team? The Astros players glance at each other. Beltran can tell he's starting to win them over. Because guys, look, I don't know about you, but I want to make it to the playoffs. In fact, I want to win a World Series. I've never done it, but I fellow players to elevate the mental part of their game.

It may take him several weeks to get them on board with high-level sign-stealing, but he believes it's a good first step. He imagines the clubhouse lit up with celebration come fall, the frenzy of his teammates shouting with excitement, cameramen crowded around, and champagne bottles being popped. The World Series might be several months away, but for Beltran, it's so close he can already taste it. From Wondery, this is Episode 2 of Houston Astros Caught Stealing for American Scandal.

From Wondery, this is Episode 2 of Houston Astros' Cost Stealing for American Scandal. In our next episode, the Houston Astros get to work refining their codebreaker system for deciphering signs. But as the league begins to crack down on electronic sign stealing with other teams, the Astros are forced to decide if they should give up their newfound competitive edge. If you're enjoying American Scandal, you can unlock exclusive seasons on Wondery Plus. Binge new seasons first and listen completely ad-free when you join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a survey at wondery.com slash survey. If you'd like to learn more about the Astro sign-stealing scandal, we recommend the books Winning Fixes Everything by Evan Drellick and Cheated by Andy Martino.

This episode contains reenactments and dramatized details. And while in most cases we can't know exactly what was said, all our dramatizations are based on historical research. American Scandal is hosted, edited, and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham for Airship. Audio editing by Christian Paraga. Sound design by Gabriel Gould. Music by Lindsey Graham. This episode is written by A.J. Marischel. Edited by Emma Cortland. Fact-checking by Alyssa Jung Perry. Produced by John Reed. Managing producer Olivia Fonte. Senior producer Andy Herman. Development by Stephanie Jens. Executive producers are Jenny Lauer Beckman, Thank you.