Phillies Warned By MLB re: Sign Stealing

[Gwreck]

Link is Here.

Article wrote: Major League Baseball issued a warning to the Phillies on Tuesday concerning accusations that bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was stealing signs during Monday night�s game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. "We have looked at the video and talked to the Phillies about the actions of their bullpen coach,�� a Major League Baseball official told FOXSports.com. "We found the evidence inconclusive on what was being done, but we have spoken to the Phillies about the situation, and the umpires have been told to be on full alert as to what is going on.�� The Rockies are the second team that's filed a complaint about the Phillies, according to a source close to the situation. It's believed the New York Mets made a similar accusation after the Phillies knocked around Mets left-hander Johan Santana on May 2. The incident in Colorado was brought to light during the telecast of the Rockies-Phillies game on Monday night by FSN Rocky Mountain, which showed that with the Phillies hitting in the top of the second inning, Philadelphia bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was using binoculars to look in at Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo. The video also showed Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino in the dugout on the bullpen phone. The Phillies claimed that Billmeyer was evaluating the Philadelphia catcher, according to a source, although the evidence wouldn't support that claim; Billmeyer was using the binoculars during the top of the second hitting, when the Phillies were hitting � which means Miguel Olivo of the Rockies was the catcher.

[soupcan]

Since when it is it illegal?

[Gwreck]

It's not when done correctly.

The phone and binoculars are what got them the warning.

Apparently in 2001 baseball sent a memo to all teams prohibiting the use of "electronic equipment" when communicating with "on-field personnel."

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Cheating Phillie bastards!!!!

And why can't our people figure out how to cheat like this? I always assumed they were wearing the black unis so they could sneak around like cat burglars swiping signs and all kinds of things.

[MFS62]

After reading that story, the sports guy on WCBS Radio noted that the Mets accused the Phillies of the same thing earlier this year. Did any CPF-ers hear about that? Or was it not made (too) public?

Later

[soupcan]

MFS62 wrote: After reading that story, the sports guy on WCBS Radio noted that the Mets accused the Phillies of the same thing earlier this year. Did any CPF-ers hear about that? Or was it not made (too) public?

Article wrote: The Rockies are the second team that's filed a complaint about the Phillies, according to a source close to the situation. It's believed the New York Mets made a similar accusation after the Phillies knocked around Mets left-hander Johan Santana on May 2.

Yeah - that was the Santana game. There were rumblings after that game.

[Frayed Knot]

MFS62 wrote: After reading that story, the sports guy on WCBS Radio noted that the Mets accused the Phillies of the same thing earlier this year. Did any CPF-ers hear about that? Or was it not made (too) public? Later

Somebody (Burkhardt maybe?) mentioned it the other day but that was more a case of they think Johan was tipping his pitches with hand angles and such. If that's the case it's the Mets fault, not the Phils. But binoculars and electronics aren't kosher.

[G-Fafif]

MLB to discipline Phillies by awarding them three additional home games.

[metsmarathon]

that aughtta teach em!

[bmfc1]

Hey Charlie, go f yourself.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5184584

[Gwreck]

How about you stop lying, Charlie, and then we can start taking you seriously.



He's not watching the Philly catcher in the top of the inning, douchebag.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Judging by their record, the Phillies are equally adept at cheating whether at home or on the road.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I'd state that the Phillies cardboard box of a ballpark is an equalizer, except that would be allowing Chuck E. Cheese to change the argument.

[MFS62]

Anudder Philly voice heard from:

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Manuel suspicious of Mets' home mark -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPNNewYork.com Rod Barajas doesn't mind stealing signs, as long as it's done the old-fashioned way. So the Mets catcher didn't hold back when asked to comment on the controversy surrounding Philadelphia Phillies bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer, who was caught on camera peering through binoculars at Coors Field earlier in the week. "I've never heard [of] anything like that happening before," Barajas said after Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Nationals. "I know that they're good at stealing signs, [because] I played there -- the old-fashioned way, which is fine. I'm not going to sit here and say it's wrong that they're doing that. Hey, if they're able to do it, by relaying a sign with a runner on second base, why wouldn't you, why wouldn't you do that? It's gonna be a big advantage." Phillies manager Charlie Manuel told The Associated Press that Billmeyer was simply watching Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz set up defensively Monday night. FSN Rocky Mountain, the flagship broadcaster of the Colorado Rockies who revealed the incident, also showed a quick image of Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino in the dugout on the bullpen phone in the top of the second. "When you have coaches in the bullpen who are relaying signs -- like you said, I'm not saying that he did it, I don't know what's going on -- but in general, if that's what was happening, I think it's something that shouldn't happen, and it's not part of this game," said Barajas, who caught 48 games for the Phillies in 2007. "We were not trying to steal signs," Manuel said of the allegations. "Would we try to steal somebody's signs? Yeah, if we can. But we don't do that. We're not going to let a guy stand up there in the bullpen with binoculars looking in. We're smarter than that." But Manuel was not done. The Phillies' chief later turned his attention to the Mets, hinting in a CSNPhilly.com report their home record has a suspicious undercurrent. "Somebody maybe ought to check the Mets if they did that," Manuel said. "Their [bleeping] home record is out of this world and they're losing on the road. Sometimes that's a good indicator of getting signs and [crap]. I see somebody setting there at (14-7) at home and (4-8) on the road, I'd get concerned about that. That kind of crosses my mind. "I'm not accusing them, but you look at that and -- damn. We're about the same home and road. I'm just saying their record is much better at home and they hit better." This week was not the first time the Phillies have been accused by other teams of stealing signs. In 2007, the Mets alleged the the club was using a center-field camera to gain an advantage. The Boston Red Sox also levied charges in 2008. But Mets pitcher Johan Santana wasn't ready to take the bait Wednesday -- even after being shelled by the Phils in his most recent appearance against the NL champs. "We won the first game," he said. "And then I just didn't have a good game the day that I pitched ... But I'm not gonna comment on something I don't really know." ESPNNewYork.com staff writer Kieran Darcy and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Later

[metirish]

This is such a bullshit story.....I wish it away.

[Guest Edgy DC]

We have that already linked above.

[Guest attgig]

Maybe the next time phillies come to town, they should make it a special promotion night. hand out binoculars to everyone in the outfield seats....

[HahnSolo]

Gwreck wrote: How about you stop lying, Charlie, and then we can start taking you seriously. He's not watching the Philly catcher in the top of the inning, douchebag.

We sure he's not looking at broads?

[Benjamin Grimm]

No sign of a boner.

[Guest Edgy DC]

isn't that Herbie from the Fantastic Four next to him?

[Gwreck]

HahnSolo wrote: We sure he's not looking at broads?

I think that's why they only got a warning. They were absolutely lying. Why is unclear.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: No sign of a boner.

Maybe he's looking at broads for other people.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Gwreck wrote: HahnSolo wrote: We sure he's not looking at broads?

When we did the big Mickey Weston story back in 1991, we were allowed to sit in the Rochester photo bin, which was a part of the dugout. The photog I was with had one of those huge lenses, and before the game a couple of the players came over and asked if they could use it for a minute. And looking at female fans was exactly what they were doing. Saw Solo's post and thought about that.

[Centerfield]

You guys are being unfair to Charlie Manuel.

What Charlie said:


"We're not going to let a guy stand up there in the bullpen with binoculars looking in. We're smarter than that."


What the picture shows:




Do you see anyone standing? Didn't think so. Charlie will take your apologies now.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Rockies manager Tracy still fuming over Phillies using binoculars in the bullpen By The Associated Press (CP) � 35 minutes ago DENVER � Rockies manager Jim Tracy is still fuming over the Philadelphia Phillies using binoculars in the bullpen. Before Colorado played Washington Thursday, Tracy took exception to a comment he read in which Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was quoted as saying "keep crying." Tracy said: "We don't cry here. I want to make that clear right now. We work very hard." The Phillies insisted Wednesday they weren't trying to steal signs when bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was caught on camera peering through binoculars from the bullpen bench at Coors Field on Monday. Asked what he considered crossing the lines in baseball, Tracy said, "using binoculars, that's crossing the line."