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The Houston Astros are on the verge of earning the label of “dynasty” if they can win the 2022 World Series. Houston reached the American League Championship Series each of the last six seasons. They’ve reached the World Series in four of those six seasons and won it all in 2017.
But rather than remembering this run as one of the best in baseball history, most fans label it with a gigantic asterisk. That’s because the team got caught in a massive, elaborate sign-stealing operation that now mars their 2017 World Series run.
Major League Baseball suspended both Houston manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow for a year. The Astros eventually fired both
But while neither Hinch nor Luhnow remains with the team, a number of players still do. So most baseball fans remain skeptical of the team’s continued success.
Those questions won’t go away after Houston catcher Martin Maldonado was caught using an illegal bat in Game 1 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Baseball Fans Call Out The Astros After They’re Caught Cheating Yet Again
The Phillies put together a remarkable comeback to beat Houston 6-5 in the opening game. But it didn’t always look promising. The Astros jumped out to a 5-0 lead on Phillies starter Aaron Nola in the first three innings.
One of those runs came via an infield single by catcher Martin Maldonado. Maldonado finished the game 1-for-3 with an RBI. But it wasn’t until FOX’s Game 2 broadcast that fans learned that he played the entire first game using an illegal bat.
Per FOX: Martín Maldonado used a bat last night Albert Pujols sent him that MLB considers not within the rules. It was grandfathered in for Pujols because he had been using it prior to 2010. So Martín back to using his bats.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) October 30, 2022
Maldonado faced no apparent penalty for the violation and started in Game 2. But baseball fans quickly jumped on the Astros for getting caught cheating yet again.
Cheating? In the World Series?? By the Astros??? No, that can’t be right. https://t.co/E57udtlla5
— Not A Basketball Fan (@drewhamm5) October 30, 2022
Beginning to think the Astros are cheaters. https://t.co/CxSaOwFOr0
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) October 30, 2022
Can’t stop cheating. Just sad at this point https://t.co/CFsl2NCaIr
— Kenjac (@JackKennedy) October 30, 2022
What’s another word for “not within the rules” https://t.co/kBr3xY3nc9
— AF (@ArkansasFred) October 30, 2022
Maldonado is currently 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Game 2. Presumably, he’s using a legal bat in that game.