Astros’ GM Luhnow and Manager Hinch Suspended

The Houston Astros’ General Manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch have been suspended for one year. This punishment was handed down after video evidence emerged of the Astros using technology to steal signs mid-game.

The investigation was launched into their World Series-winning 2017 season. It concluded that Houston was guilty enough to incur high-level punishments.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke the news on Monday afternoon.

On top of the two year-long suspensions, the Astros have been fined $5 million. They will also lose first and second round MLB Draft picks in 2020 and 2021. No players have been penalized as of Monday afternoon.

The scandal broke wide open when a viral video seemed to show audio evidence of how the Astros were stealing signs. An employee would use a camera trained on the field to discover whether an off-speed pitch or a fastball were about to be thrown.

If an off-speed pitch was coming, the employee would bang on the lid of a trash can loud enough to be heard by the batter. Pictures then emerged of the “workstation” in the Astros’ tunnel to their clubhouse.

These allegations surfaced in early November, and the MLB took their time in investigating and deliberating on what the punishment would be, if any. It is unclear at this time if Luhnow and Hinch will be the only high profile members of the organization to be punished

Featured Image courtesy of Michael Wyke/Houston Chronicle

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