Inside the Astros

A.J. Hinch Reflects on Houston Astros Sign Stealing Scandal

Former Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch shares his thoughts on the sign stealing scandal that rocked the franchise.

Kade Kistner

A.J. Hinch Reflects on Houston Astros Sign Stealing Scandal
A.J. Hinch Reflects on Houston Astros Sign Stealing Scandal /
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The Houston Astros franchise was accused of one of the largest cheating scandals in North American sports history for their sign stealing "scheme" that took place during the 2017 MLB season. 

They won the World Series that same season, which only perpetuated the idea that they had truly cheated in order to win. Nevermind the fact that they boasted one of the most talented rosters in baseball.

One person who faced some of the toughest consequences was manager A.J. Hinch who was suspended for the entirety of the COVID-19 shortened 2020 MLB season. 

Now, Hinch just hopped on with the New York Post's Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman's program "The Show" just days ago to talk about the 2017 incident. 

"It was wrong, and it continues to be wrong, and we'll always have this question around 2017," Hinch said. "I also think you can say these guys are really good players. It's a really good system there. It was built brilliantly. 

"The additions after the fact have been really good. There's been a long run of success, of winning in that organization and rightfully so with the talent that is in that organization, on the field, off the field, all around that club." 

Was it wrong? Yes.

Was it still a very talented team that could have won the World Series anyways? Also yes.

Now Houston has added another title to their name after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games this past MLB season. 

It's time to move.

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

  1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Houston Astros?
  2. Mariners Fans Inexplicably Outraged Following Houston Astros' Social Media Post About Sweep
  3. Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
  4. Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
  5. Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
  6. Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
  7. Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
  8. Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
  9. Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
  10. Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball

Make sure to follow Inside the Astros on Twitter @InsideAstrosSI!

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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