SAD NEWS: JUST NOW Astros Houston’s head coach has been sacked for his involvement in a sign-stealing scandal that tarnished the team’s reputation. The decision comes after an extensive investigation by Major League Baseball (MLB) into the Astros’ practices during their 2017 World Series-winning season.
### Key Points:
– **Head Coach Dismissal**: A.J. Hinch, the head coach of the Houston Astros, was fired following the MLB’s findings regarding the team’s use of technology to steal signs from opponents during games.
– **Investigation Findings**: The investigation revealed that Astros employees used a camera in the outfield to decode and relay signs to players, which is against MLB rules. This practice was primarily conducted during home games in the 2017 season, leading to significant advantages for the team [[2]](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/houston-astros-gm-manager-suspended-over-theft-pitching-signs-n1114701).
– **Consequences**: Alongside Hinch, General Manager Jeff Luhnow was also dismissed. The Astros faced a $5 million fine and forfeited their first and second-round draft picks for the next two years [[2]](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/houston-astros-gm-manager-suspended-over-theft-pitching-signs-n1114701)[[3]](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/houston-astros/news/astros-fire-aj-hinch-cheating-scandal-dismissal/bd94466fe2d1448028dbfa35).
– **Owner’s Statement**: Astros owner Jim Crane emphasized the need for a “clean slate” and acknowledged the organization’s responsibility in the scandal, stating, “We broke the rules, we accept the punishment” [[2]](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/houston-astros-gm-manager-suspended-over-theft-pitching-signs-n1114701).
This incident marks a significant moment in the Astros’ history, as they were previously celebrated for their success on the field.
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Learn more:
1. [Astros’ Jeff Luhnow, AJ Hinch suspended for 2020 – MLB.com](https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-sign-stealing-penalty)
2. [Houston Astros GM and manager suspended – then fired – for stealing signs](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/houston-astros-gm-manager-suspended-over-theft-pitching-signs-n1114701)
3. [Why did the Astros fire A.J. Hinch? Inside cheating scandal that led to manager’s dismissal | Sporting News](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/houston-astros/news/astros-fire-aj-hinch-cheating-scandal-dismissal/bd94466fe2d1448028dbfa35)