Well before Major League Baseball was focused on navigating the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and searching for means to begin the 2020 regular season, there were several factions within the sport in the aftermath of the league’s investigation into the Houston Astros.
With a report from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred released in January, the Astros were found to have electronically stole signs en route to winning the 2017 World Series, which of course is when they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.
Manfred elected not to strip the Astros of their title, and players were granted immunity in exchange for cooperation with the investigation.