Former Astros Catcher Admits Participating In Cheating Scandal

Former Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis has admitted to participating in the sign-stealing scandal that took place during the 2017 season. Gattis has confessed to knowing what pitch was coming when he hit his pinch-hit homer in Game Seven of the ALCS against the New York Yankees.

The Astros used a sign-stealing system where players in the dugout watched the live camera feed from center field and deciphered the pitch being thrown. They would then bang a trash can when a breaking ball was coming but stay quiet when a fast ball was thrown. Gattis tweeted that he was in favor of the idea at the time.

When asked if he knew what pitch was coming from New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia when he hit his pinch-hit homer in Game 7, Gattis replied, “Yes. I’m pretty sure. Back door cutter slider.” He also confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs.

Gattis stated that he did not know if second baseman Jose Altuve used remote buzzers inside his jersey to signal what pitch was coming, but suggested that it might have been possible. He also commented on the 2017 World Series where the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw was hammered for six runs in Game 5 in Houston. Gattis tweeted that he knew what was coming against Kershaw.

Gattis concluded his Twitter thread by acknowledging that he sometimes says stupid things. The Astros general manager and field manager were suspended for the 2020 season for their failure to prevent the rule violations committed by the Astros.