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Astros fans still unforgiving toward Jose Altuve despite Dusty Baker calling him āmost innocentā
TL;DR
Astros fans continue to hold resentment towards Jose Altuve, despite Dusty Baker's defense calling him 'most innocent.' Altuve remains a focal point of anger related to the Astros' 2017 sign-stealing scandal.
Key points
- Jose Altuve faces ongoing hostility from fans
- Dusty Baker defends Altuve as 'most innocent'
- Astros found guilty of sign-stealing in 2017
- No players faced disciplinary action after the investigation
- Altuve remains a focal point of public anger
Mentioned in this story
Jose AltuveHouston AstrosDusty Baker
Astros fans still unforgiving toward Jose Altuve despite Dusty Baker calling him āmost innocentā originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jose Altuve has never fully escaped and still faces hostility from opposing fans nearly nine years after the Houston Astros' 2017 sign-stealing scandal. As the team's biggest star and the 2017 American League MVP, he remains the primary target for public anger.
After an official investigation, the Astros were found guilty of illegally stealing opposing teams' pitches. Per reports, they also relayed them to hitters by banging on a trash can. While Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch, no players faced disciplinary action at the time.
That outcome never sat well with the rest of the baseball community, leaving Altuve to face most of the criticism.
According to pitch-charting data compiled by researcher Tony Adams, out of 866 pitches Altuve saw at home in 2017, only 19 were preceded by trash-can bangs, just 2.2% of his total pitches.
Former teammate Carlos Correa also defended Altuve, stating publicly that Altuve actively refused the system and did not want to participate. Despite the receipt, hostile road crowds continue to boo him.
Q&A
Why are Astros fans still angry at Jose Altuve?
Astros fans remain upset with Jose Altuve due to his association with the team's 2017 sign-stealing scandal, which has left a lasting negative impression.
What did Dusty Baker say about Jose Altuve?
Dusty Baker referred to Jose Altuve as the 'most innocent' in light of the criticism he has faced since the sign-stealing scandal.
What was the outcome of the Astros' sign-stealing investigation?
The Astros were found guilty of illegally stealing signs, resulting in suspensions for their general manager and manager, but no players faced disciplinary action.
How has the 2017 sign-stealing scandal affected Altuve's reputation?
The scandal has severely impacted Altuve's reputation, making him a primary target for criticism from fans and opposing teams even years later.
