Video breaking down sign-stealing

[HoustonGM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhWYrmcSDAU&feature=player_embedded

Whoever did this video did an excellent job and it's really interesting.

[dickay]

interesting yes. i do agree with one of the early posters who feels the first pitch was a changeup and not a curve though.

[HoustonGM]

I refuse to read Youtube comments. This discussion (http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/joe_mauer_tips_pitches/) is much more likely to provide intelligent comments. Of course, the article (http://www.theworldofisaac.com/2009/10/joe-mauer-tips-pitches.html) that was posted along with the video was rubbish.

[dickay]

I refuse to read Youtube comments. This discussion (http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/joe_mauer_tips_pitches/) is much more likely to provide intelligent comments. Of course, the article (http://www.theworldofisaac.com/2009/10/joe-mauer-tips-pitches.html) that was posted along with the video was rubbish.

agreed...knowing the pitch at the last second doesn't all of a sudden make one a great hitter.

If I have issue with anyone, its Laird. You gotta do a better job changing things up, even go to the mound and talk about it if necessary. Heck, its the opposing catcher on second base no less, i'd be surprised if he wasn't trying to steal a sign.

[gRYFYN1]

interesting yes. i do agree with one of the early posters who feels the first pitch was a changeup and not a curve though.

Well the signals could just be Fastball/Off speed, Kubel could simply be waiting for a Fastball .. a relatively easy pitch to get a fly ball off of - hence his reluctance to swing at the first two off speeds.

Also, did the signaling contribute more or simply the fact that it was in the head of Verlander and his catcher that Mauer was doing it.

[dickay]

Well the signals could just be Fastball/Off speed, Kubel could simply be waiting for a Fastball .. a relatively easy pitch to get a fly ball off of - hence his reluctance to swing at the first two off speeds.

Also, did the signaling contribute more or simply the fact that it was in the head of Verlander and his catcher that Mauer was doing it.

i don't buy that verlander and laird were aware of it first off. possibly, but not totally sold. and I agree with you on the fastball / offspeed. such little time, you can't get to specific.

[dickay]

how many times has laird caught verlander?

[KowboyKoop]

Nah I don't buy it. Just a couple of coincidences and then the author throws some other stuff in just to support his argument.

"See how his eyes dart to Mauer at 2nd." Well no sh*t, he's looking at the pitcher, waiting for the pitch, which is directly in front of 2nd base.

"I think that Laird + Verlander are onto him, so they switched up the signs." OPINION, nothing more

"Mauer being non-chalant.." Uhhh...that's how every baserunner I've ever seen acts. What?

Catchers mix up signals and call time to go over the signals again ALLLL the time with a runner on 2nd. That is normal...

"Very ironic statement about trusting your catcher, talking about Mauer??" BS...if you want to throw a pitch in the dirt, you have to trust your catcher to block it. What, is blyleven trying to talk to kuble during the game?? Come on.......




This is a non-event to me. He fidgeted with his helmet a little bit and scratched his nose one time......give me a break...besides, there is NO CHANCE IN HELL that sign-stealing from 2nd base is going to be done THAT obviously..otherwise Mauer would've gotten a pitch on the nose his next two times at-bat...

[filihok]

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091001&content_id=7267384&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min


"I haven't gotten a sign yet," Morneau said. "I'm still waiting."

"It's a joke," Morneau said of the video. "It's funny, because you can look at anybody standing on second base and make a connection that if he's standing like this, he's giving pitches."

"That's why we're three games back -- we're stealing signs," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We scored two runs last night; we stole a lot of signs."

The Twins scoffed at the notion of Mauer tipping pitches, but Tigers catcher Gerald Laird, who was behind the plate in the video, told the Washington Post that the Twins have a reputation for stealing signs.

"That's the best they can come up with?" Gardenhire said. "Every team in baseball tries to steal signs. Every team in baseball tries to get the coaches' signs, the manager's signs, so ... really, that's old stuff."

[HoustonGM]

"That's the best they can come up with?" Gardenhire said. "Every team in baseball tries to steal signs. Every team in baseball tries to get the coaches' signs, the manager's signs, so ... really, that's old stuff."
That's exactly why this isn't a big deal and the Twins shouldn't be getting so defensive.

[gRYFYN1]

"That's the best they can come up with?" Gardenhire said. "Every team in baseball tries to steal signs. Every team in baseball tries to get the coaches' signs, the manager's signs, so ... really, that's old stuff."

I would hope players try to steal signs... I would be disappointed if they didn't.

[Red Sox Fan 734]

That was cool

[dickay]

well, i do believe he was stealing signs...and no there's nothing wrong with it. i think Det. was naive as i don't beleive they were onto it. I don't know how to find it but i'm curious to know how often laird catches verlander because what i saw was miscommunication. the catcher has to do a better job masking the pitches. if DET was onto him he should've made a trip to the mound and switched signals. sh!t we had alternate signals way back when i caught highschool ball. if DET was onto it they coulnd't have handled it worse.

[HoustonGM]

Laird has caught Verlander 29 of his 34 starts.

[dickay]

Laird has caught Verlander 29 of his 34 starts.

wow, thats terrible than.:(

[Keppinger]

If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'! The Twins can't afford to lose a game.

and the video was cool.

[oriole^]

That's exactly why this isn't a big deal and the Twins shouldn't be getting so defensive.

Hell, I remember Eddie Murray standing on second base and swiping signs. It was as easy to spot as a whale in a bathtub - he'd put both fists out in front of him for swing, and leave them down for take - and yet the announcers said nothing at all. Silly.

[HoustonGM]

If you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin'! The Twins can't afford to lose a game.

and the video was cool.
Just a note, it's NOT cheating.

[Jeffy25]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhWYrmcSDAU&feature=player_embedded

Whoever did this video did an excellent job and it's really interesting.

give that guy a broadcasting job!

[free2131]

If there was any doubt, the Twins complete overreaction definately, IMO, points to Mauer stealing those signs...

...which is a good thing fellas. Lighten up. ;)

[Jeffy25]

If there was any doubt, the Twins complete overreaction definately, IMO, points to Mauer stealing those signs...

...which is a good thing fellas. Lighten up. ;)

hey, give Laird credit for noticing, and likely knew that Mauer did this previously....i mean he caught on immediately, after the first sign was sent.....which makes me think Mauer has done this before, and Laird had seen the video of it.

[OregonDuck1989]

This video is really cool.