American Scandal Houston Astros: Caught Stealing | Radical Methods | 1
Oct 15, 2024
Explore the dramatic rise of the Houston Astros, who went from underdogs to champions through innovative strategies amidst brewing controversy. Discover the tension sparked by a mysterious banging sound linked to sign stealing during a crucial game. Delve into the clash between traditional baseball practices and modern data-driven methods that reshaped the sport. Unpack the tumultuous rebuilding phase marked by controversial management decisions that tested players' morale and the ethical boundaries of competition.
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Banging In The Stands Exposed A Cheat
- Danny Farquhar realized the Astros were stealing signs mid-game when he heard banging before certain pitches.
- He and catcher Kevin Smith adjusted by calling pitches without signs and struck out Evan Gattis.
Data Plus Video Created An Ethical Fault Line
- The Astros' rapid rise blended aggressive data use with new video technologies that created ethical gray areas.
- That combination enabled unprecedented advantages but later triggered a major cheating scandal.
Luhnow's Data Obsession Started Early
- Jeff Luhnow bonded over fantasy baseball and data with colleagues long before joining MLB.
- His analytics obsession traced back to childhood and academic training in engineering and economics.