Cheating! Dark Side of Baseball with 5 Examples

Remember when we cheated playing school games? What if that also happens in international sports like baseball? 

Imagine being at a baseball match with a bright sun and a hot dog in hand, but you are watching one of the best baseball pitchers. He bows his back, aims, and sends off a fastball and another strike. 

But something is wrong. You see a strange blot on it each time it is thrown towards the home plate. Is it possible that your best pitcher uses an altered baseball to gain an unfair advantage? 

This is not just any made-up situation. In this sport, there has been a long history of baseball cheating, which has several authentic cases for that matter. 

So, keep reading and find out about some of the most infamous cases of unsportsmanlike behavior in America’s favorite pastime.

Historical Examples of Cheating in Baseball

The Black Sox scandal was one of the most infamous events that happened in 1919.

Imagine it’s the year 1919. The Chicago White Sox are favored to win the World Series. They have the talent, skill, and fan following. 

Everything seems to be going their way. However, beneath this façade, something evil is unfolding. Some players have teamed up with gamblers behind the scenes. 

Their objective is simple: lose the World Series so as to get a fat paycheck. The thrilling games you’re watching are rigged and orchestrated for the benefit of a malicious few. 

This shocking betrayal became known as the “Black Sox Scandal,” which remains one of baseball’s darkest moments. 

It’s a catastrophe beyond description: Reputation, careers, trust—gone! This a stern reminder that cheating comes with a price in baseball, usually a very high cost.

Eight Men Out (1988) by John Sayles is a film about this scandalous period in baseball history. It’s one of the greatest movies on baseball.

The movie vividly illustrates the sinister plot surrounding this event that led to its unfolding. It portrays eight “Black Sox” players sympathetically as victims of low wages and exploitation by team owners.

The film has performances by John Cusack playing Buck Weaver and D.B Sweeney playing Shoeless Joe Jackson, among other characters who were part of the accused players list. 

These roles humanize not only Buck Weaver and Joe Jackson but everybody implicated in this fiasco.

They appear like men who just found themselves caught up in situations where they had no control over what they were doing instead of villains.

New York Giants sign stealing 1951

1951 was the year that witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history. Did I mention it was not all about skill?

The New York Giants, trailing behind the Brooklyn Dodgers, were desperate for a win. So desperate were they that they set up an elaborate 

sign-stealing operation to change their fortunes. 

How did they do it, you ask? There was a telescope in their clubhouse appropriately situated right behind the center field. 

An employee of the Giants team would use this telescope to spy on the signals of the catcher and then transmit this to his colleagues on the field.

With just one simple buzzer system, and don’t you see! They could identify what pitch was coming next.

And guess what happened? The Giants pulled off an astonishing comeback, clinching the National League pennant in a dramatic fashion. 

But when it finally came out that their sign-stealing was real years later, it had a sour taste. Win, yes, but fairness in sports, no way.

It was no surprise that such a controversial tale of desperation, ingenuity, and deceit inspired Hollywood. And how could it not be! 

Directed by Don Argott, “Signs of the Time,” a film released in 2014, depicts those events from the 1951 season, including the infamous Giants’ sign stealing. It’s also a riveting story like ours, which is full of ambition, innovation, and anything but ordinary baseball.

You watch some baseball movies on Netflix.

A Sticky Situation Indeed: The 1983 Pine Tar Incident

Just imagine yourself being in Yankee Stadium during the summer of 1983 when the Kansas City Royals are playing against the New York Yankees on this hot day.

The game gets interesting when George Brett, the third baseman for Kansas City Royals, bats a two-run home run with an excessive pine tar amount smeared onto his bat as it gives him a better grip.

Billy Martin, who is Yankees manager, accuses Brett of having too much pine tar on his bat according to rules governing baseball.

Surprise, surprise, the bat is examined by the umpires, who agree with Martin and rule Brett out, hence taking away his home run. 

But there is more to the story. The Royals lodged their protest, and American League president Lee MacPhail overturned the ruling of the umpires.

Subsequently, a replay of the game from where Brett hit his home run would later see Kansas City emerge as the winner.

This incident, which became famously known as the “Pine Tar Incident,” prompted many debates and rewrote rules on foreign substances being used on bats. 

The pine tar bat used by Brett is now in the Baseball Hall of Fame as a piece of baseball history.

The 1994 Nancy Kerrigan Bat Attack: A Swing that Shocked the World

Let’s change lanes for a moment and enter the world of figure skating. Yes, you are right. This incident, although not directly related to baseball, concerns a baseball bat and is one of the most notorious cases of cheating in sports ever. 

In January 1994, Nancy Kerrigan, who was a favorite among her fans and a potential gold medalist at the forthcoming Winter Olympics, was assaulted while practicing for the U.S.

 Figure Skating Championships. Using an extendable club resembling a bat, Shane Stant – later identified as her assailant – struck her on her right knee. 

The subsequent inquiries disclosed that this attack had been orchestrated by Jeff Gillooly (ex-husband to Tonya Harding) with associates of his so as to harm Kerrigan and secure Harding’s spot on the Olympic team. 

Known as “The Whack Heard Round the World,” this scandal sent ripples through the sports community, signifying how far some people can go to gain an unfair advantage over their competitors. 

Last year’s film “I, Tonya” is an example of such works that have depicted this infamous event with Margot Robbie playing as Harding.

Through its gripping storytelling, I, Tonya, exposes everything about this scandal that has come to be recognized as one of those darkest chapters in sporting history.

The Steroid Era (1990s-2000s): A Time of Power and Deception

Welcome to late 20th century America, which saw unprecedented power in baseball but has still remained one of its most controversial periods. 

This period, referred to as “The Steroid Era,” is characterized by substantial increases in home runs but also by rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). 

Many players tarnished their careers due to their involvement in this vice, including prominent figures like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa. 

These athletes, once lauded for their extraordinary feats, came under severe criticism and investigation as the truth behind their enhanced performances came out. 

Their talents were undeniable, but revelations about using PEDs stained their names and turned their accomplishments into a dark shadow. 

Fans of the game felt divided between admiring the impressive power hitting that defined the era and being exasperated by their heroes’ lack of moral fiber. 

The Steroid Era was a clear reminder that even in sports, people can make unethical decisions when they want to achieve something. 

This time in baseball history served as a catalyst for change, with stricter drug testing protocols and more severe penalties for PED use being introduced in order to level the playing field again. 

It remains an issue of contention in the story of this sport, reminding us all that while winning is great, it should not be won at any cost through illicit means.

The Houston Astros Sign-Stealing Scandal (2017): Modern Technology, Old Tricks

As recently as the previous year of baseball season in 2017, we find another incident of sign-stealing involving the Houston Astros.

This scandal is a clear indication that greed for success can make players engage in dishonest acts even in this tech-savvy 21st-century era. Know the full story from ESPN.

It turns out that the Astros were engaged in stealing opponents’ signs during the World Series winning season using an advanced system. 

This high-tech sign-stealing scheme was a violation of baseball’s rules and an obvious betrayal of the game’s integrity since the team used a center-field camera to zoom into the catcher of other opponents to see his signals.

Then, they bang on a garbage can to inform their batter about what kind of pitch was coming up next. 

Such penalties included suspension and subsequent dismissal of the Astros’ manager and general manager, coupled with forfeiture of first-round and second-round draft picks. 

Houston Astros Sign Stealing scandal has served as a wake-up call across all baseball communities, stressing vigilance and integrity are key issues in this fast-changing game where the temptation to cheat is no more than the closest video feed at any given time.

What are the Different Types of Cheating in Baseball? 

Sign Stealing: An Unethical Short Cut to Success

Sign stealing is a sneaky trick in baseball. In simple terms, it’s peeking at the opposing team’s signals. These signals are guides for pitchers and other players.

 Such persons steal these signs and have the upper hand against others. The best example of this was the Boston Red Sox in 2017. 

The team used an Apple Watch as part of sign-stealing from the New York Yankees. This scandal rocked the sports world.

Doctoring the Baseball: A Sly Move to Gain the Upper Hand

Doctoring baseball refers to altering a baseball in such a way that its behavior changes when pitched. 

This change can give a pitcher an unfair advantage over a batter. One common way to doctor a ball is by putting stuff on its surface like Vaseline, saliva, or pine tar, among others. 

These things change how it spins and goes, making it difficult for someone else to hit it with a bat. 

A notable example is an incident that involved Gaylord Perry, who was one notorious spitball pitcher ejected from a game after applying foreign substances on his ball; this was his second ejection in 1982 for doing so.

Corking the Bat: A Deceptive Power Play

Another underhand technique employed by certain players is corking the bat itself. It involves taking out some material from the inside of the bat barrel and filling it up with cork or any light substances like styrofoam balls, among others. 

Typically, players feel that lighter bats allow them to swing faster and, therefore, hit balls farther. 

The most famous instance of corked-bat cheating in baseball involved Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa, whose bat splintered during play, revealing its secret interior in 2003. 

The aftermath resulted in an eight-game suspension for Sosa and a permanent tarnish on his reputation.

Umpire Influence: A Controversial Element of the Game

Umpires in baseball are seen as fair. They ensure that rules are followed, and everyone is playing on equal ground.

 But there have been times when some umpiring decisions have led to accusations of bias and manipulation. 

A poignant example of this is the 1996 American League Championship Series when umpire Rich Garcia failed to call fan interference on a key play that may have changed the outcome of the series. 

These controversial situations highlight the fact that there are gray areas in baseball enforcement.

Hence, it is important for umpires to determine a match result at times, resulting in doubt by audiences as to whether or not they really watched a fair competition.

Pine Tar: A Sticky Situation

Pine tar is used by players to enhance their grip on a bat; however, if it is applied to a baseball, it can drastically change its flight path and speed, giving an unfair advantage to the pitcher. 

An illustration of this misuse was in the Kansas City Royals 1983 “Pine Tar Incident” that involved George Brett. Brett hit a two-run home run during a game against the New York Yankees that was nullified later after his bat was found to have excessive pine tar content. 

This led to a heated debate about the use of pine tar, which eventually forced people to reconsider how these rules should be approached. 

Steroid Use: A Serious Threat to Fair Play

The use of steroids is one of the most serious acts of cheating in baseball, as athletes abuse performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to boost their performance in various fields. 

These substances can raise a player’s strength and speed very high, resulting in better output from him/her. However, steroid use not only subverts the idea of fair play but also poses serious health risks to the user. 

The famous BALCO scandal that involved Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi remains one of the most remembered cases of steroid use in baseball history.

In the early 2000s, they were among some players who got steroid supplies from the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). 

This scandal sparked more drug testing and stiffer punishments for PED usage in Major League Baseball.

Electronic Sign-Stealing: A High-Tech Betrayal of Trust

New forms of cheating, such as electronic sign stealing, are part and parcel of baseball games because they capitalize on technology with which the opposing team’s pitching signals are decoded unlawfully. 

This cyber strategy involves setting up video cameras that capture the opposing team’s catcher’s signs and then interpret them immediately, helping batters understand what pitch will be thrown next based on that information. 

The 2017 Houston Astros scandal is one example. That year, the Astros had a camera in the outfield that was used to steal signs during their World Series championship season. 

Base Running Interference: A Cunning Play with Consequences

Running interference on bases is another controversial aspect of baseball, where a player deliberately impedes the fielder’s capability to reach a base. 

This is often through crafty but suspicious acts such as sliding when not necessary, colliding with the defensive player, or touching the ball. 

In some cases, this interference goes unnoticed because of its subtleness; however, in case it is detected, its consequences can be very significant. 

For instance, during the 2015 National League Division Series, Chase Utley of the Los Angeles Dodgers slid into second base and broke Mets’ shortstop Ruben Tejada’s leg while he was at bat. 

The play was initially ruled legal by umpires amid great controversy but eventually reversed to an interference after review by league officials.

Hidden Ball Tricks: An Elusive Deception

Baseball is not a sport that uses hidden ball tricks often; however, they are highly effective when employed. For example, when a fielder does not give the ball to the runner and tags the opponent out as soon as he or she steps off the base.

Although these strategies are rarely used, they can change the outcome of a match at crucial moments.

One of these cases happened in 2013 when Todd Helton, playing for the Colorado Rockies, effectively trapped Matt Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals into making this fatal mistake. 

In most cases, it is seen as a clever move, while others see it as an unjust act that borders on poor sportsmanship.

Balks and Deceptive Pitching: A Fine Line Between Strategy and Deception

Other approaches like deceptive pitching and balking have been termed dishonesty in baseball as well, which crossover to strategic play. 

A balk occurs when a pitcher makes an illegal motion on the mound in order to deceive the base runner. It can be a sudden flinch, an incomplete pitch, or even an illegal pick-off attempt.

These are banned because they help to disrupt the timing of baserunners, thereby giving pitchers undue leverage over them. 

For instance, Jay Howell was thrown out of a playoff game in 1988 for using pine tar on his glove, which he utilized to gain more control over his breaking ball- which had become a deceptive pitch through this means.

MLB’s Fight Against Cheating: Rules and Measures

Major League Baseball (MLB) has always been proactive in keeping the game credible. 

This has made them develop tight rules and consequences that deter players from crossing the line. These are steps taken by MLB to stop cheating.

The rules of MLB are straightforward. Do you get caught using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs)? In the first instance, an 80-game suspension awaits you.

You’re out for a whole year after two strikes. Three strikes equals a lifetime ban. Remember Alex Rodriguez?

He was an all-star third baseman for the New York Yankees. However, in 2013, a dark cloud appeared over him while on the field. 

The MLB put him behind bars for 211 games because he tested positive for PEDs, even though he denied using them as part of his training routine.

What about electronic sign stealing? Last year, MLB introduced rules to address this issue. They barred access to video replay rooms during games.

They were also given a league-supplied random password into the system to be used by each team’s replay official as well. 

Do you remember the Boston Red Sox? They cheated by using Apple Watches to steal signs in their 2017 season. The punishment was severe; 

Alex Cora got banned from working with any club for one year, and they lost their second-round pick.

Nor does base running interference have any mercy shown upon it either, since if a baserunner intentionally impedes a fielder, he is automatically out. 

When it comes to fines or suspensions, they can be imposed on a player too. That incident involving Chase Utley in 2015?

 It caused MLB to change its sliding rule so as to guarantee the safety of the players involved.

Cheating in baseball is not simple at all; it is complex as it involves numerous aspects that overlap each other at times. 

Major League Baseball has done a lot to deal with this. The fight against cheating goes on as technology advances and new gimmicks come up. It is a war that never ceases to protect the soul and principle of this popular game.

Consequences of Being Caught Cheating in Baseball

• Suspensions: When a player gets caught cheating, they often face suspensions. First-time offenders may be subjected to an 80-game suspension.
• Fines: Players may also be forced to pay large sums of money other than just suspensions when they cheat.
• Loss of Reputation: A player’s reputation may be ruined after being implicated in a scandal regarding cheating, thereby affecting their public image and future career prospects.
• Loss of Draft Picks: Teams involved in cheating scandals can lose valuable draft picks that will hinder the team’s ability to replenish itself with young, talented individuals, as well as assemble a competitive roster for years to come.
• Termination of Contracts: In some cases, players found guilty of cheating may have their contracts terminated by their teams.
• Stripping of Titles and Awards: In extreme circumstances, teams found guilty of cheating might be stripped of their titles and awards, thereby erasing their achievements from the record books forever.

Examples of Recent Baseball Cheating

There as well has been quite a number of scandals in baseball during the modern era.

Next, we will explore some examples of baseball cheating that have happened in various leagues recently.

In 2017, Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros were accused of cheating. This was because of their high-tech sign-stealing scheme while they were having their championship season. Here is what unfolded. 

As some players went to bat, they started hearing strange sounds coming from the stands.

An investigation followed soon after that. Astonishingly, the Astros had rigged a camera behind their center fielder’s catching area. It allowed them to figure out what signs rival pitchers were giving them. 

They signaled such signs to their batters by banging on garbage cans. 

The repercussions were serious.

A $5 million fine was imposed on the team, which forfeited its first and second-round picks for two consecutive seasons, then proceeded to suspend its manager and general manager for one year each.

Jumping into 2019 now, the Atlanta Braves found themselves in trouble with the MLB for not complying with international signing rules.

 Offering additional benefits to these players involved was an offense. The punishment was dire here; they lost thirteen of their international signings, and GM was banned from ever participating in anything related to the sport.

Approaches for Preventing Baseball Cheating

• The MLB and other baseball associations must stay ahead of cheaters by adopting better systems than this one since the game keeps evolving every day due to technology changes, among other factors shaping it; however, below are tips that may help:
• Enhanced Monitoring and Surveillance: This can involve looking out for early signs of attempts by cheaters through more stringent monitoring measures employed during games, including appointing overseers who observe dugouts and locker rooms.
• Increased Transparency: Reporting transparency can also help combat this vice since it encourages teams or individuals to report suspicions without worrying about negative consequences.
• Regular Audits: This should be a regular feature in order to ensure that the teams are abiding by the rules and regulations, as this can also encompass going through tapes of game recordings to see how much technology was used.
• Education: In addition, education programs should be created so that players, coaches, and officials get to know the dangers of cheating when playing. 
• Stronger Penalties: While the current punishments are severe, there may still be space for even greater ones. Tougher suspensions or heftier fines might do. Perhaps even more severe draft pick loss could be instituted.

Conclusion

In baseball or any other sport, for instance, it is vital to adhere to the principles of fair play and respect for the rules that form its basis.

The integrity of baseball rests on the commitment of all players, coaching staff, and referees towards fair play and good sportsmanship.

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