Last Friday the Minnesota Twins released Minor Leaguer Derek Bender for telling the opposing team what pitches they’d be getting. Cheating in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) has been happening for decades, with several high-profile scandals bringing attention to the ways in which players and teams attempt to gain an unfair advantage. From the steroid scandal of the late 1990s to the use of technology to steal signs in recent years, cheating has evolved, and the consequences have been severe. The most recent example, involving a minor league player tipping pitches, underscores the ongoing struggle to maintain integrity in the game. The various methods of cheating, the motivations behind them, and their impact on baseball as a whole deserve a closer look.
The steroid scandal back in the 1990s was one of the most notorious instances of cheating in MLB history. At the time, many players were suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) to boost their physical abilities and achieve remarkable feats on the field. Some of the biggest names in baseball were implicated in this scandal, including Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa. These players, once celebrated for their incredible home run records, found their reputations tarnished when evidence of steroid use emerged.
The motivation behind steroid use was clear: hitting home runs and achieving greatness in a sport where statistics often determine a player’s legacy. The home run race of 1998 between McGwire and Sosa captivated fans and brought attention back to baseball following a strike in 1994 that had left many disillusioned with the sport. Fans flocked to stadiums to witness history, but few knew that the achievements they were witnessing were fueled by banned substances.
Players who used steroids gained an edge in strength, recovery time, and endurance. These drugs allowed them to hit the ball farther and play at a higher level than they could have naturally. While it is impossible to know how many players were involved in steroid use, the culture of baseball during that era certainly enabled and encouraged it. The desire for fame, fortune, and a place in the record books outweighed the risks associated with getting caught.
In 2003, MLB implemented its first testing program for steroids, and in 2005, the league adopted stricter penalties for positive tests. However, by that time, the damage had been done. The steroid era had left an indelible mark on the game, with fans and analysts questioning the legitimacy of records set during that period. Players who had been clean were overshadowed by those who had used PEDs, and many felt that the sport had lost some of its credibility.
The steroid scandal not only damaged the reputations of individual players but also called into question the integrity of baseball as a whole. Fans began to wonder how many of the sport’s most iconic moments had been tainted by cheating. The league’s slow response to the issue further eroded trust, as it became clear that MLB had turned a blind eye to the problem for years.
The steroid era may have been the most egregious example of cheating in baseball, but it was by no means the last. In 2017, the Houston Astros were caught in a sign-stealing scandal that shocked the baseball world. The team had used technology to steal signs from opposing teams, giving them an advantage in knowing what pitches were coming. This information was then relayed to Astros hitters, allowing them to adjust their approach at the plate accordingly.
Sign stealing itself is not illegal in baseball, but using technology to do so crosses the line. The Astros employed a system that involved cameras positioned in the outfield to capture the opposing team’s signs. This information was then communicated to the hitters by banging on a trash can, signaling what type of pitch was coming.
The Astros’ cheating scheme came to light in 2019 when José Altuve blew the whistle on his team. An investigation by MLB followed, and the league handed down punishments to the Astros, including suspensions for general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch. However, many fans and players felt that the Astros should have been stripped of their 2017 World Series as a result of this cheating tactic, and yet their title was not vacated. The players involved were not punished, leading to widespread frustration within the baseball community.
The fallout from the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal was immense. Opposing players and fans alike expressed outrage, with some suggesting that the integrity of the sport had once again been compromised. Many players felt that the Astros had stolen not only signs but also opportunities for fair competition. The scandal also raised questions about the role of technology in baseball and how it could be regulated to prevent future incidents of cheating.
In 2018, the Boston Red Sox found themselves embroiled in a similar scandal. Like the Astros, the Red Sox had used technology to steal signs, although their method involved the use of an Apple Watch. MLB launched an investigation into the Red Sox’s actions, and while the punishments were not as severe as those handed down to the Astros, the incident further highlighted the issue of technological cheating in the game.
The Red Sox’s involvement in sign-stealing raised concerns that cheating had become more widespread than previously thought. Teams were increasingly turning to technology to gain an advantage, and the integrity of the game was once again in question. MLB responded by implementing stricter rules regarding the use of technology during games, but the damage had already been done. The reputations of both the Astros and the Red Sox were tarnished, and many fans began to view these teams’ recent successes with suspicion.
The Astros and Red Sox scandals also brought to light the question of accountability. While team officials and coaches were punished, the players themselves faced little to no consequences. This lack of accountability frustrated many within the baseball community, as it seemed that the individuals who had directly benefited from the cheating were not being held responsible for their actions.
Cheating in baseball is not limited to the major leagues, as a recent incident in the minor leagues demonstrated. In September 2024, the Minnesota Twins released minor league catcher Derek Bender after he was found to have told the opposing team what pitches were going to be thrown. Bender’s actions, which occurred at the end of the minor league season, were viewed as a serious breach of the game’s integrity.
Bender’s case last week is unique in that it involved a player actively assisting the opposing team, rather than attempting to gain an advantage for his own team. However, the result was the same: the integrity of the game was compromised. By tipping pitches to the other team, Bender violated the unwritten rules of baseball and damaged the competitive balance of the game.
The Twins’ decision to release Bender was swift and decisive, reflecting the seriousness of his actions. In a statement, the team emphasized that Bender’s behavior was “unacceptable” and that they were committed to maintaining the integrity of the game. Bender’s release serves as a reminder that cheating, in any form, will not be tolerated in professional baseball.
While Bender’s actions may seem like an isolated incident, they reflect a broader issue within the sport. Players at all levels are under immense pressure to perform, and some may be tempted to bend or break the rules in order to gain an advantage. Whether it’s through PEDs, sign-stealing, or tipping pitches, the desire to win can sometimes lead players down a dangerous path.
The issue of cheating in baseball is complex, and there are no easy solutions. While MLB has taken steps to address cheating, such as implementing stricter penalties for steroid use and cracking down on the use of technology to steal signs, the problem persists. The temptation to cheat will always exist as long as there are incentives to do so, whether they come in the form of fame, fortune, or a place in the record books.
One of the key challenges in combating cheating is determining how to hold players and teams accountable. In the case of the steroid scandal, many players were able to continue their careers with little to no consequences, while in the sign-stealing scandals, the teams themselves were punished, but the players involved were not. This lack of consistent accountability sends a mixed message and may encourage future cheating.
Another challenge is the role of technology in the game. While technology has brought many positive advancements to baseball, such as instant replay and improved analytics, it has also opened the door for new forms of cheating. MLB must find a way to strike a balance between embracing technology and ensuring that it is not used to undermine the integrity of the game.
At its core, baseball is a sport built on competition and fair play. When players and teams resort to cheating, they undermine the very foundation of the game. The steroid scandal, the Astros and Red Sox sign-stealing schemes, and Derek Bender’s actions all serve as reminders that cheating has no place in baseball. Maintaining the integrity of the sport is crucial, not only for the players and teams but also for the fans who invest their time, energy, and passion into the game.
Here’s the thing folks: Cheating in baseball may never be completely eradicated, but it is up to MLB, team officials, and the players themselves to work together to ensure that the sport remains fair and competitive. The future of baseball depends on it.
With that… it’s time to watch another playoff race in which there is surely some form of cheating happening under the radar.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!