House of Houston
Fansided

Houston Astros: Assessing Carlos Correa’s latest comments on scandal

By James Mueller

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Houston Astros SS Carlos Correa’s sign-stealing comments sparked controversy among many. What should you make of his comments? Let’s look.

Dodger’s outfielder Cody Bellinger lashed out at the Houston Astros Friday, claiming that they stole the 2017 World Series from the Dodgers and that Jose Altuve stole the 2017 MVP from Aaron Judge.

Carlos Correa responded to Bellinger’s comments by speaking to Ken Rosenthal and then to the media at the Astros spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. Let’s take a look at what Correa said and assess how valid his statements are.

1. Correa took responsibility and expressed remorse for the Astros actions in 2017

While many were upset with Jim Crane and the Houston Astros player’s apologies at their press conference, Correa took responsibility and showed remorse for what happened in 2017.

Correa opened up to the media taking responsibility for what happened during the 2017 season and admitting it was wrong.

“I have no problem when people talk about what happened during the regular season of 2017,” Correa said. “Whatever people have to say, we have to take that on the chin. It was wrong.”

Later on in the interview, Correa was asked if he used the trash can banging system during his at-bats.

“Yes, I used the trash cans,” Correa told reporters. “Yes, I used the trash cans. And I’m here like a man and I’ll tell you I used it.”

Instead of avoiding answering the question or just giving a generic answer as many other Houston Astros players did, Correa was honest and seemed to express true remorse for what he and his teammates did in 2017.

Correa should be commended for showing leadership by taking responsibility for his and his team’s actions during the 2017 season.

2. Correa defended Altuve, who he claims did not use the trash cans

While admitting that he and most of the players used the trash can banging scheme when batting, Bellinger’s comment that Altuve stole the MVP from Aaron Judge did not sit well with him. Correa stated that Altuve, along with Josh Reddick and Tony Kemp, did not use the trash can banging system.

“We all know, Mike Fiers knows, that Altuve didn’t use the trash can,” Correa said. “He earned that MVP and nobody can take that away from him.”

Stats back up Correa’s statement too. Twitter user and Astros fan Tony Adams (@adams_at) sat down and recorded all bangs from the Astros home game in 2017 with video available. Adams found that there were only bangs on 2.8 percent of pitches Altuve faced, the lowest of any Astros starter.

While Adams’ findings show that there were still bangs on 24 pitches Altuve faced, Correa told reporters those bangs happened without Altuve’s consent and afterward he expressed anger.

“I remember one time somebody banged the trash can without his consent when he was hitting,” Correa said. “I don’t remember if he got a hit or got out. I just remember he was heated. And you guys don’t see Altuve mad very often.”

So I applaud Correa for standing up for his teammates, especially Altuve and find validity to his statement based on the stats that Adams recorded.

3. Correa defended the Astros 2017 title

During his interview with Rosenthal, Correa defended the legitimacy of the Astros winning the 2017 World Series.

While Correa did say that the trash cans were still in place during the 2017 postseason, he stated

More from House of Houston

that the Houston Astros sign-stealing system was not effective because of how many different signs teams use in the playoffs.

Correa went over key plays in the 2017 World Series, citing all the runs Houston scored with a runner on second. Pitchers and catchers are more cautious when a team has a runner on second and often change which sets of signs they are using so that the baserunner can’t communicate to the batter what pitcher is coming. This makes it nearly impossible to decode signs.

Along with citing all the runs the Astros scored with a runner on second, Correa also pointed out the fact that they won two games at Dodger Stadium and said they did not steal signs on the road.

While there is no way to know how much the sign-stealing system helped the Astros in winning the World Series there is validity to the points Correa brings up.

Next. Astros: Ranking the Top 4 lefty pitchers to make the roster. dark

Ultimately, while it is unfortunate what the Astros did it is time for MLB players and fans to move on from 2017 and focus on the upcoming season because nothing can change the past.

For those wanting to look further into Correa’s comments, the full transcript can be found here.

Home/Houston Astros