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OT: Sign-Stealing Irks Martin Yet Again

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:44 am
by LittleOzzy
There are a few things in this world that make Russell Martin mad. Chief among them is when he thinks an opponent is stealing the signs he's showing to his pitcher.

Last season, when Martin thought his hometown Toronto Blue Jays were stealing signs, he made very public accusations, nearly touching off an international incident.

Now he's setting his sights on the Baltimore Orioles.

After Monday night's ended game, Martin barked at Baltimore's Robert Andino, and the two yelled back and forth as the teams cleared the field. Martin wouldn't detail what was said, saying his memories are "blacked out," and in general his accusations were more muted than his aggressive statements last July in Toronto.

"A little yapping session towards the end," Martin said, dancing around the details. "I think he was inviting me to a sparring session next offseason."

But Martin made his meaning clear—and acknowledged privately that he was annoyed about what he thought was sign-stealing.

"I don't like that, no," he said.

Andino told Baltimore media Tuesday afternoon that he was not stealing signs, and that he's not that kind of player. But Yankee manager Joe Girardi said that those denials are expected—and it's part of a catcher's job to let opponents know they're watching.

"If the guy's doing it, he's not going to say, 'OK." They're going to act like they're not doing it," Girardi said. "Stealing signs has been in baseball a long time. Calling out people you think are stealing signs has been in the game a long time, too. It's all part of the merry-go-round we live on."


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 89166.html

Re: OT: Sign-Stealing Irks Martin Yet Again

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:49 am
by tecumseh18
Maybe Jose needs that guy in white back in the stands.

Re: OT: Sign-Stealing Irks Martin Yet Again

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:19 pm
by xAIRNESSx
He needs to stop whining and get over it. Stealing signs is a part of baseball.

Re: OT: Sign-Stealing Irks Martin Yet Again

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:17 pm
by Fairview4Life
He needs better signs.

Re: OT: Sign-Stealing Irks Martin Yet Again

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:42 pm
by dagger
Fairview4Life wrote:He needs better signs.


I'd like to stand behind him at an ATM.

Re: OT: Sign-Stealing Irks Martin Yet Again

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:55 pm
by whysoserious
As his own manager said, stealing signs has been a part of the game forever. You can say something to opposing players on the field, you can even tell your pitcher to throw inside and brush em off the plate next time. But to whine to the media, just shut up, change your signs and keep it on the field.

Re: OT: Sign-Stealing Irks Martin Yet Again

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 4:09 pm
by Mike Hunt
What is it with these players thinking that players shouldn't try to steal their signs? Hell, why do they even go through sign progressions if they think opponents should look away while on second base? Should an honourable player avert his eyes until the pitcher is in his wind-up? It doesn't make sense. Sign-stealing should not be frowned upon. It should be praised and considered a skill.

Re: OT: Sign-Stealing Irks Martin Yet Again

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:55 pm
by illy
stealing signs is apart of the game, they should change up their signs if need be.