Dallas Keuchel Apologizes for Astros' Sign-Stealing Scandal

Former Astros pitcher said it's "not like every game we had it going on" when asked about the club's sign-stealing scandal.

As the fallout from the Astros' sign-stealing scandal has sent baseball reeling, pitcher Dallas Keuchel addressed the incident for the first time publically.

Keuchel, now a member of the White Sox, apologized for the Astros' actions at SoxFest on Friday. He played for Houston for the first seven years of his career.

"It's just what the state of baseball was at that point in time. Was it against the rules? Yes, it was. And I personally am sorry for what's come about the whole situation," he said, per The Chicago Sun-Times' Madeline Kenney.

Keuchel added it's "not like every game we had it going on" when discussing about the club's cheating. He also shared that he's spoken with some of his former Astros teammates about the incident, as well as pitcher Mike Fiers revealing the scheme.

"A lot of guys are not happy with the fact that Mike [Fiers] came out and said something or the fact that this even happened. But at the same time, there is some sorrow in guys' voices."

Dallas Keuchel was apologetic about Astros ‘17 scandal. Also said ‘a lot of guys were not happy that Mike (Fiers) came out and said something’#SoxFest pic.twitter.com/fIDUoo1lCs

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) January 24, 2020

Keuchel apologizes for Astros sign-stealing scandal. Said it was “not like every game we had it going on.” pic.twitter.com/oAS4DewLk5

— Paul Sullivan (@PWSullivan) January 24, 2020

The allegations against the Astros first came to light in a November report by The Athletic when former Houston pitcher Mike Fiers accused his former team of using a centerfield camera to steal catchers' signs in 2017. The team streamed the video feed to a monitor near the Astros' dugout, where pitches were relayed to batters by a teammate banging on a trash can.

On Jan. 13, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred released a nine-page report detailing how Houston cheated during the 2017-18 regular seasons and postseasons. The Astros defeated the Dodgers in seven games to win the 2017 World Series. Manfred suspended Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow through the 2020 World Series, but owner Jim Crane subsequently fired them.

The Red Sox and Mets later parted ways with managers Alex Cora and Carlos Beltrán after both men were named in MLB's report. Cora served as the Astros' bench coach in 2017, while Beltrán was a member of the World Series-winning roster.

Last weekend, Astros stars Alex Bregman and José Altuve addressed the scandal at the club's FanFest. 

Bregman was brief with reporters when asked about the incident.

"The commissioner came out with a report, MLB did their report, and the Astros did what they did, meaning they made their decision on what they're going to do. I have no other thoughts on it," Bregman said.

Altuve declined to comment on the scandal and shot down rumors that Houston players cheated with wearable devices.

"I wasn't upset to be honest, even though we all know it wasn't true," Altuve said. "We all know that some people made that up. The best thing that happened to me was that MLB investigated that and they didn't find something."

Altuve previously denied wearing a buzzer when his agent, Scott Boras, released a statement to Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci.

This offseason, Keuchel joined the White Sox after signing a three-year, $55 million deal. He spent the second half of the 2019 season with the Braves after waiting for a contract in free agency.