When MLB’s report on the Houston Astros sign-stealing scheme dropped in January 2020, the Boston Red Sox immediately had a problem on their hands. Manager Alex Cora — who had been the bench coach in Houston 2017 — was implicated as the mastermind of the plot to relay signs decoded from a hidden video feed via trash can banging.
The only reason he wasn’t immediately suspended and fired alongside Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch was his role with the new team … which MLB was still investigating over different sign-stealing accusations.