Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Art of Stealing Signs, By Joe Mauer

This is pretty interesting, not because he's stealing signs, but because he makes it so damn obvious. I really don't have a problem with this, though. It happens all the time, and I'm sure the Yankees are guilty of it too, honestly I hope they are, wouldn't want them to be the only ones not doing it. I just hope they're not as obvious about it.

(hat-tip to Twinkie Town)

17 Comments:

JP said...

Idk, I never really liked it. I know it's part of the game but I feel its cheap, its about the Hitter against the Batter, who's better. I feel like when someone tips you off your cheating. Stealing signs should be considered just as bad as the batter who peaks at the signs.

Anonymous said...

Its like a video game. when you guess right where the pitch is coming you usually get a nice hit.

Logan. said...

I dont think theres anything wrong with it. He was just to damn obvious giving the relay. Normally guys will clench a fist, touch a knee, give a lean, going to the helmet and face is a dead give-a-way.

Not a troll or spammer. Just somebody to lazy to register :-D said...

any chats this weekend? how about the post season greg?

Greg Cohen said...

There will be live chats for all playoffs games that I'm not at.

Anonymous said...

Nettles, Pinella & Mercer used to talk about signs they gave to the batter. Leading off the base right hand on your knee or left hand on the hip etc. I remenber reading that Pete Rose wanted to fight someone on the Reds when they tried to tip a pitch to him (balling their hands up or leaving them open) when they gave him the wrong sign. I'm suprised that Laird didn't make a trip to the mound. The art of gamesmanship. Go Yanks and Oscar Gamble where ever you are.

Logan. said...

Im going to games 1 and 2! :D stOked

Logan. said...

Maybe you can help me out. I'm going to get some Tats touched up in a few hours and was gunna ask about getting another. I want to do something Yankees related but dont have any ideas.

So Far my best idea is to do the interlocking NY on the inner part of my wrist...I can't think of anything!

JP said...

I remember seeing someone in the creatures with a big interlocking NY with white and blue pinstripes with the numbers 2, 42, 51 and 6 on the inside of it. Pretty Ridic.

Scotty B said...

That was an awesome video. That is 100% part of the game and have no problem with it. I would also have no problem if the Tigers decided to blast Mauer with a pitch next time he was up.

Anonymous said...

Wow Reyes tore is hammy. Mets must be feelin great!

Ojas said...

It's really interesting to see a game within a game... I just wonder, across baseball, what percent of players would want to be given a clue about the upcoming pitch... there's gotta be a good portion of hitters who'd just prefer to react to the ball so that they're not thinking too much while trying to hit a pitch

SteveB said...

Hilarious!

Greg, I'm going to post this too & give you a hat-tip.

Anonymous said...

Part of the game but Verlander should drill Mauer.

Anonymous said...

I currently play in college, and we had a hitters' meeting about this and how to relay the signs to the hitter so that everyone is on the same page. Let me tell you, its much easier to hit when you know what's coming.

Anonymous said...

This is hogwash. If they felt he was stealing signs (like apparently the video indicates by suggesting Laird keeps backing off because of such) then they would have gone out to the mound to have a conversation about it. Not once during the AB does he trod out there to discuss new signs, alternate signs, or to talk about going sign-less for the next two pitches or so. Now, he may have been indication LOCATION... in or out based on the catcher's setup, becuase that doesn't require stealing of signs. But I'm beyond extremely doubtful that you can steal signs. They mix them up so much that you'd have to be on 2nd base for several batters to decode which sign pattern they're using. Then all they have to do is give the signal to change which sign they're using to completely throw off the sign stealer.

A catcher would have to be a complete retard to see himself that Mauer was giving signs and not once make a quick trip to the mound to discuss a possible deterrent.

Anonymous said...

If you have a problem with this, then you don't understand the game. This goes on every time someone gets to 2b. It's usually not so easy to spot, but look for it now and you will see it. This is a big part of why the Sox/Yanks games go on so long. Most teams will just change up the signs with guys on base and/or not tip location at all.