Lindsey Graham (0:00)

Hi, this is Lindsey Graham, host of American Scandal. Our back catalog has moved behind a paywall. Recent episodes remain free, but older ones will require a Wondery plus subscription. With Wondery, you get access to the full American Scandal Archive ad free, plus early access to new seasons and more. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts. It's late 2016 in the front office of the Houston Astros. Brandon Taubman walks toward the breakroom coffee machine carrying an Astros mug. Cheerful Christmas decorations are hanging around the office, but Taubman is not in a celebratory mood. Even though the Astros finished the 2016 season with a winning record, they fail to reach the playoffs. And for Todman's boss, general manager Jeff Luno, that's not good enough. Luno has been using every tool imaginable to optimize his team's performance, but everyone in the office knows that if the Astros want to have a real shot at a World Series title, they're going to have to sign some veteran players who can mentor their talented but inexperienced roster. And there's one decision that has Taubman tied up in knots the choice between two outfielders, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday. Taubman is an analyst with a resume not unlike Luno's, a background in finance paired with a personal obsession with fantasy baseball. He prides himself on being able to evaluate players on the basis of cost benefit analysis, and according to him, neither of these players is worth the cost. Both Beltron and Holiday are way past their prime and analytically unpredictable. They could have one more great season left in them, or their batting statistics could drop off a cliff. But the team isn't really looking at a third option, and Luno has ordered Taubman and the team's analytics expert, Mike Fast, to figure out the best answer before the end of the day. If he had to choose, Taubman thinks Beltran is the better option. But he knows that Luno prefers Holliday, who was on the Cardinals during Luno's tenure there. And if Taubman is going to vote against the GM's preference, he knows he has to have a good reason. So after refilling his cup of coffee, Taubman heads over to Mike Fast's desk to review the data on both players. All right, Mike, sell me on Holiday's upside. Well, he's still got some pop in his bat, hit 20 home runs this season, and that's after missing about 50 games from injury. Pretty good on base percentage, can play left field, first base plus, he's only 37. 38 next month. Not exactly the prime of his career. Well, you said you wanted the upside. He's still younger than beltran. He'll be 40 next year. But 29 home runs this season. Stayed healthy all year. Switch hits with power from both sides of the plate. I mean, it's close, but statistically, Beltran has the edge. What about the downsides? What, besides his age? His numbers dropped off in the second half of the season, but. But what? Jeff doesn't like him. Yeah, well, at least he likes Holiday more. He must have made a good impression while the two of them were in St. Louis. Yeah, holiday is clearly Jeff's guy for whatever reason. And ultimately, it's up to him to make the final call. I'm not seeing enough upside to Beltron to stick my neck out. What does Hinch say? AJ Hinch is the Astros manager. He doesn't have an official say in signing new players, but as the team's leader in the clubhouse and on the field, his opinion carries weight. He says the team needs more Latin leadership. Right now the clubhouse is split between English and Spanish speaking players. A guy like Beltran could unify them. Well, there's your answer. Yeah, but Jeff is not an easy guy to convince. And things you can't measure. Chemistry, leadership. I don't think we can sway him. Well, leave the data to me. I can make a case for Beltran. And if Jeff still isn't convinced? You can make the clubhouse chemistry argument. That'll carry some weight this year when Jeff's going all in on a playoff run. I hope so. I mean, Beltran's the choice. And he would elevate the Latin players on our roster. They respect him. He'd be a great mentor. All right, then. Let's make the case fast. Gets to work on the numbers, and Taubman returns to his desk to prepare his pitch for Belgium. He knows it won't be easy to convince Luno to change his mind. But Taubman has been with this organization since it was known as the Disastros. And he's seen how tough decisions like this one can lead to breakthroughs. American Scandal is sponsored by Audible. I bet you heard that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert, right? Who came up with that? Malcolm Gladwell in his book Tipping Point. It's an idea that becomes something of an axiom and brought criticism to Gladwell for oversimplifying complex social concepts. So what does he do? He writes a snarky follow up revenge of the tipping, overstories, super spreaders, and the rise of social engineering. Too bad the Audible title itself isn't 10,000 hours long, because there's more to imagine. When you listen as an Audible member, you choose one title a month to keep from their entire catalog. New members can try audible free for 30 days. Visit audible.com as or text as to 500 500American Scandal is sponsored by T Mobile 5G Home Internet with new home Internet plus from T Mobile, you can get Internet right where you want it so you can boost your connection to places it hasn't reached before and transform your home Turn your backyard into a movie theater, turn your basement into a home office. For a limited time, get a free upgrade to T Mobile Home Internet plus while supplies last. Home Internet plus starts at just 50 bucks a month with autopay and any voiceline. Check availability@t mobile.com home Internet and get Internet right where you want it. During congestion, customers on this plan may notice speeds lower than other customers and further reduction if using greater than 1.2 terabytes per month due to data prioritization. After $20 bill credit plus $5 per month without autopay, debit or bank account required. Regulatory fees included. For qualifying accounts, $35 connection charge applies From Wonder I'm Lindsey Graham and this is American When Jeff Luno was hired as the general manager for the Houston Astros in 2011, owner Jim Crane gave Luno complete control of the team. And in just a few short years, he had rebuilt the Astros from the ground up, using a combination of Moneyball style, analytics and a controversial strategy of losing on purpose to get higher draft picks. And by the Beginning of the 2017 season, Luno had transformed the Astros from a floundering club into a winning organization loaded with young talent. And amid all the team's unconventional practices, the signing of veteran slugger Carlos Beltran to a one year deal attracted little notice. Major league teams routinely added aging stars to their rosters to bring some needed experience and help mentor young players. But what analysts like Brandon Taubman and Mike Fast could not see on their stats sheets was that Beltran would bring another dimension to the Astros, one that went beyond the leadership skills of an All Star player. Beltran arrived at the Astros with a deep well of knowledge about a particular art form in baseball, stealing signs from an opposing team's catcher to discover what the pitcher is about to throw next. And Beltran arrived at a time when the organization was already studying sign stealing as a potential way to carve out a competitive Advantage sign Stealing had been around since nearly the dawn of baseball and has led to its fair share of controversies over the decades, but it evolved into a full blown scandal with the 2017 Astros. This is episode two, the game within the game. It's the 1980s in Manatee, Puerto Rico. A young Carlos Beltran picks a broomstick up off the ground, lifts it into batting position and then turns his eye toward his older brother Nino, who's standing a few yards away. Nino nods at an imaginary catcher, winds up and hurls a rolled up ball of tape in Carlos direction, but Carlos never gets the chance to swing. The ball of tape gets caught by the wind and blown to the side of the street. Carlos groans and asks his brother to pitch it again, but Nino waves him off. The sun's setting and Nino has plans to hang out with his friends tonight. Carlos grips his broomstick bad. In frustration, he pleads with his brother for one last pitch, but Nino has already run off. So with the orange sun setting slowly on the horizon, Carlos grabs the ball of tape and his broomstick bat and starts walking to the nearest baseball field, half an hour away. When he arrives, it's nearly twilight and the darkening field is deserted. The air is humid and the sounds of mosquitoes buzz in his ears. But this is where Carlos really feels at home. He heads over to home plate, tosses the ball of tape in the air, swings the broomstick and makes contact. The ball of tape only travels a few yards, but in Carlos mind he's hit a home run. He imagines stadium lights shining down on him and a crowd roaring his name. Carlos drops the broomstick and begins a victory lap around the bases, his small hands raised up into the night sky in celebration. This is what it's going to feel like when he makes it to the major leagues. By the end of his high school years, Carlos Beltran's big league dreams are already becoming a reality. He's become a versatile player on the diamond with a deep understanding of the game, and he attracts the attention of several major league teams, including including the Kansas City Royals, who drafts Beltran into their minor league system before his 19th birthday. But the transition to professional baseball isn't easy for Beltran. He's shy and speaks almost no English. He struggles to communicate with his teammates and coaches. Still, he stays focused on his goals. He cultivates new skills like becoming a switch hitter and rises through the Royals minor league system until, In September of 1998, Beltran plays his first game in the majors in 1999, his first full season, Beltran posts 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, a feat so impressive that the American League votes him Rookie of the Year. But Beltran doesn't stop there. He continues working on his game and on his language skills. He starts developing confidence both on and off the field. And in 2000, when a bone bruise lands Beltran on the disabled list, the 23 year old center fielder develops a touch of defiance as well. That summer, Beltran is ordered to report to the team's spring training facility for rehab. And Beltran isn't happy about it. It's the middle of the season and the facility is located in Davenport, Florida, over a thousand miles away from Kansas City. Beltran wants to stay with his teammates and if possible, continue to join them on the road. So he submits a request to the team's management, but it's quickly rejected. He's told that the decision isn't personal, they're just following policy and that if Beltran doesn't report to Florida, he risks being suspended. Beltran knows that some teams in the major leagues make exceptions for their star players. And as one of only three Kansas City players ever voted Rookie of the Year, Beltran believes he's earned the right to remain with his team. So when he gets home that night, he picks up the phone and dials his agent, Scott Borris, to discuss the situation. Boris tells Beltran he's done all he can, but the Royals general manager won't budge. The team's argument is that Beltran will be able to rehab his knee faster in Florida, Boris says. The GM also reiterated that the Royals have a no travel policy for players on the disabled list and that making an exception for Beltran and allowing him to stay on the road would set a bad precedent. This isn't the news that Beltran wanted to hear. He loves this league and his team, but he's tired of feeling alienated as a Puerto Rican player, as a non English speaker and now as a player on the disabled list. He believes he's proven his worth to the team and he shouldn't be treated like an outsider anymore. So Beltran tells Boris he doesn't want to go to that rundown facility in Florida. He's sticking to his guns, even if that means facing consequences. Beltran's decision to take a stand is a personal one, so he's surprised when his defiance leads to long term gains for all players. The players union defends Beltran and other major leaguers begin to speak up about the problematic rehab plans they've been prescribed. The fallout over. Beltran's incident prompts teams throughout the league to improve their rehab facilities. And Beltran's advocacy efforts don't stop there. In 2002, he launches the Carlos Beltran foundation, which offers education and sports to low income kids in Puerto Rico. For Beltran, being of service off the field is just as important as performing on the field. Where Beltran is dominating in 2004, he becomes the first player in history to finish four straight seasons with more than 20 home runs, 100 run score scored, 100 runs batted in and 30 stolen bases. He's also making strides in his effort to learn English. Overall, Beltron is becoming a hot commodity, and in June 2004 he's traded to the Houston Astros, where he plays a single season before signing a $119 million contract with the New York Mets, the largest in the team's history. And when Beltran arrives in New York, he seems determined to show the world that he's worth every penny. After a brief slump in 2005, he goes on to hit more than 100 home runs over the next three seasons. He appears in several All Star Games and wins three Gold Gloves for his outstanding play in center field. But Beltran knows he can't depend on his physical talent forever. So as he nears the age of 30, the mental part of the game starts to appeal to him more and more. And when one of his new teammates starts talking about ways to get even more of a psychological edge, Beltran is intrigued. In 2007, at the Mets spring training camp in Florida, Beltran is at batting practice when he overhears a veteran outfielder named Sean Green talking to a group of younger players about pitch tipping, the subtle changes in a pitcher's delivery that can tell a hitter what pitch to expect. Green is heading into his 15th season in the major leagues, and over the years he's gotten good at deciphering the small ticks that signal what a pitcher is about to throw. Beltran puts down his bat and listens as Green explains that these ticks could be as subtle as the pitcher flaring open his glove or having a slightly higher leg kick. Often, the pitchers aren't even aware they're doing it. Green tells the younger players that he'd be happy to teach them the techniques for spotting these pitcher's tips if they're interested in learning. But most seem hesitant. One young guy says the idea of watching the pitcher's body language seems like a distraction. He'd rather focus on the pitch. Another wonder is that if it's so easy to spot pitch tipping. Why? Everyone around the league isn't already doing it. But as the group disperses, Beltran sidles up next to Green. Hey Sean, I picked up some pitch tipping tricks in Kansas City, but if you got some more to show me, I'd love to learn. Sure, Carlos. Here, I'll show you a couple things right now. Greene points to one of the Mets pitchers as he practices his difference throws. You see the way he really digs into his glove before the next pitch? He's about to throw a changeup. Beltran stares at the Mets pitcher and sure enough, he works the baseball deep into his glove, winds up and then throws a changeup. He needs to work on that. I mean, if I can clock it in just a few pitches he's cooked out there against a real team, that's such a little thing, I never would have noticed. I think of pitch tipping and sign stealing too as mental offense and the game. I mean, I'm pretty good at hitting, but I'm a great hitter. If the other team's sloppy and not aware of their body language, if they don't have their guard up, you bet I'm working my way into their heads. How long did it take you to get good at this? Well, when I was coming up with the Blue Jays, tipping and sign stealing were required. Manager told us we had to get signs when we were on second. Scared the crap out of me really. But then it became a puzzle and I loved puzzles. Game within the game. What about you though? Sounds like you have some experience with it. I try, but with sign stealing, sometimes the catcher is throwing down signs so fast I barely spot them or I get distracted pitch tipping. I don't even know where to start with some guys. Well, you can always start with the pitcher's hands and feet. What are their hands doing in the glove before they throw? Where do they place their feet? On the mound. Watch our guy on this pitch. Beltran gazes out at the Mets pitcher as he continues to practice in the afternoon sun. He winds up and throws a fastball. Alright, now where was his glove before he threw that heat? In front of his chest. Where though? Where? Where exactly? Well, pretty high up. Almost near his collarbone. Alright, maybe that's it. Now let's test that theory. Beltron watches the pitcher again. He raises his glove to the height of his collarbone, winds up and throws a fastball. Beltran can't believe it. Almost as soon as he started trying, you found a tick. He glances over at Green who grins. See? Yeah, you're getting it now. If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go find a pitching coach and tell him this guy needs to clean up his tells. Beltran nods and returns his gaze to the pitcher, eyes focused as a thrilling new skill takes root in his mind. It's a skill set that Beltron will carry, refine and perfect through the next decade of his career, playing for teams like the Giants, the Cardinals and the Yankees until he finally lands back in Houston, Texas. And it's there that Beltron's pitch tipping and sign stealing expertise will take a turn from the masterful to the unethical. American Scandal is sponsored by Uncommon Goods Spark something uncommon this holiday with just the right gift from Uncommon Goods. Incredible hand picked gifts for everyone on your list. Gifts that spark, joy, wonder, delight. And that it's exactly, exactly what I wanted feeling all in one spot. Like what my wife found recently. 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And for a limited time visit aura frames.com and get $45 off Aura's best selling carver Matte Frames by using promo code as at checkout that's a U R A frames.com promo code as this exclusive Black Friday Cyber Monday deal is their best of the year, so don't miss out Terms and conditions applied While Carlos Beltran is learning the art of sign stealing and pitch tipping with the New York Mets, his future Astros teammate Alex Cora is in Boston, contemplating his future in Major League Baseball. Like Beltran, Cora was born and raised in Puerto Rico and discovered his passion for baseball at a young age. He received an offer to join the Minnesota Twins when He was just 17 years old, but opted to hone his skills at the college level before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1996. Eventually, Cora migrated to the Cleveland Indians as a free agent before landing with the Boston Red Sox in 2005. Over the years, Cora established himself as a strong utility player, specializing in second base and shortstop but playing almost every position on the field, depending on his team's needs and beyond his physical skills. Korra was also known for his keen intellect and knowledge of the game. But as he enters his 30s, Cora is forced to face the fact that his physical skills are fading and that the Red Sox are actively training a rookie, a 23 year old named Dustin Pedroia, to become their everyday second baseman, which will cut into Cora's playing time. So it's an emotional period for Cora, who has to practice alongside the man who's effectively his replacement. But when the 2007 season begins, Cora notices that Pedroia is struggling to make an impact on the field, and he isn't the only one that sees it. The team's management has also noticed the young hotshot is having a hard time adjusting to the majors, so they ask Cora to work with Pedroia in practice and for the good of the team. Cora agrees. So one late morning at Fenway park in Boston, Cora stands off to the side of the field, watching Pedroia take batting practice. Over and over, Pedroia makes contact, but ball keeps coming off his bat in the same direction down the left field line. Cora watches the rookie slap a few more balls into left and shakes his head and jogs over to the batting cage. Dustin, you know there's green on the right side of the Field too, right? Yeah, but it's just my natural swing. I'm a pole hitter. I get more power that way. Hey, look, power's great, but if you try to hit the ball the same way every time, your swing becomes predictable. And trust me, big lead pitchers are going to take advantage of that. So you think I should change my swing? It's more to do with your timing. I think you're just being a bit too eager. Try not to jump on every pitch. Look for a ball that's more outside. Wait a split second longer before you swing. Try it. Cora steps back from the batting cage as the pitcher throws a chain. It tails away from Pedroia, but he extends his bat and slaps the ball through the right side of the infield. Oh, that's it. How'd it feel? Okay, I guess. I never liked hitting the other way because I can't hit the ball as hard. Hey, look, the power is going to come. You need to keep practicing and stay patient. I mean, I. Look, I was a rookie too. You want to prove yourself and hit a homer every time, right? But you got to relax and take what the pitcher gives you. You know what I'm saying? Change saying I need to chill out. Maybe, maybe. But I mean, you've got intensity and I love that. Just don't let it take over every time you swing. When you step up to the plate, take a deep breath. The ball is coming to you, so you need to meet it on your time. Well, thanks, man. But, you know, why are you helping me like this? I mean, I might be taking my job. Well, yeah, I mean, second base is your position, right? No, I'm a utility guy and I know my role. Right now, part of my role is making sure you're prepared. Alright. For this next pitch, try squaring it up and hitting it back up the middle. Cora points straight back at the pitcher. Pedroia nods, takes another pitch and sends the ball sailing over the pitcher's head towards center field. Pedroia turns to Cora, smiling, and Cora feels something that surprises him. A sense of pride. Cora's days playing in major league games might be numbered, but he's noticing a new passion growing in him. He likes mentoring others. Maybe Cora thinks he does have a future in Major League Baseball after all. Maybe he's destined to coach. Alex Cora's career as a player in the major Leagues ends in 2011, and he begins laying the groundwork for a transition into coaching. Meanwhile, his future colleague, Carlos Beltran spends the next few years playing for several different teams and continuing to Hone his skills in the psychological aspects of the game. With every season, Beltran grows more comfortable at pitch tipping and sign stealing. And he's about to discover a whole new world of sign stealing opportunities, thanks to a new Major League Baseball policy on how technology can be used in games. In January 2014, the league approves the use of expanded video replay in games. This new system will give managers the ability to dispute more plays using instant replay to support their challenges to umpire's calls on the field. And to support this new policy, every clubhouse has to construct a replay review room. In these rooms, often just yards from the dugout, there will be screens with a live video feed of the game from various angles. And a clubhouse employee will monitor the feed throughout the game in case a manager calls and needs footage reviewed. The goal of this new replay technology is to create fairer calls and games, but it opens the door for other uses, including some that bend the rules. The practice of sign stealing has always been legal, but limited to what players can see in real time with their own eyes. Teams are not supposed to use things like binoculars or cameras to look for signs or communicate about them during games. But now these video replay rooms, with high resolution game footage, including shots of the catcher's signs, are providing teams a new way to study their opponents. And players like Carlos Beltran, who's now in his second season with the New York Yankees, are eager to capitalize on this new information. In the summer of 2015, before a game, Beltran sits in the replay room in the Yankees clubhouse, watching footage of the team he's playing that night with two of his teammates. Beltran's skills for pitch tipping and sign stealing have come a long way in the eight years since Sean Green tutored him on the Mets. Now he's working with some of the best players in the league who are also skilled at sign stealing. So here in the late afternoon, the men huddle around the TV monitor, queuing up footage of the other team's pitcher and catcher trying to decode their sign sequences. They play pause, rewind, over and over while comparing notes. Beltron clocks the catcher putting down a whole series of signs. 3 fingers, 4 fingers, then 2. Then one pitcher responds by throwing a fastball. Beltron notes that he suspects this is a classic chase the two sequence, where the actual sign is whatever follows a flash of two fingers. It's an easier sequence to crack, while others on the tape are more complex. One of Beltron's teammates points out that their opponent might change their sign sequences tonight. So even with all this studying of last night's footage, there's no guarantee it'll pay off in the upcoming game. But Beltron knows this kind of preparation can still produce results. If there's a choice between goofing off and being in the replay room studying footage. Beltron would much prefer to use his time productively. But Beltran admits his teammate does have a point. And if the guys don't want to be in here decoding sequences, they don't have to. That's when another teammate speaks up. He also concedes that watching last night's footage may be useless. But what if they were to watch streaming footage of the catcher during tonight's game right here in the replay room? That could give them a real advantage. After all, these TV monitors are just a few strides away from their dugout. If sequences were cracked in the middle of the game, that information could be relayed to the team. It wouldn't be simple. If a sign was cracked, someone would have to signal it to their guy on second base, who would then have to signal it to the player at bat. And there are a lot of ways for that communication chain to break down, especially since all of this would need to be done in a matter of seconds. But despite its complexities and dubious ethics, using this new technology to decode their opponent's signs during the game is intriguing to Beltron. Ultimately, he and his teammates are competitors, and they're passionate about finding any advantage they can. Besides, the league ordered clubhouses to construct these video rooms. It seems obvious that they, as players, would use them to compete at a higher level. So Beltran tells his teammates that he'd be interested in figuring out how to do it. But for now, he needs to start warming up. So he rises and nods to the players. They've picked up a few sequences of the opposing team, but they'll need more. Maybe tonight they can take their first swing at using the replay room to decode them in real time. Hey, I'm Ryan Reynolds. At Mint Mobile, we like to do the opposite of what big wireless does. They charge you a lot, we charge you a little. 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By the second half of the 2016 season, Carlos Beltran has been traded from the Yankees to the Texas Rangers. Alex Cora is eyeing coaching roles in clubhouses across the country and providing commentary on espn. And the Houston Astros have started winning in a real way. General manager Jeff Luno's controversial strategy for turning the team around with analytics is finally producing results. Detractors still believe Luno is taking the human element out of the game, reducing players to just numbers and data. But all Luno cares about is taking his team to its most sought after milestone, a World Series championship. But by mid season, it's clear that 2016 will not be the year the Astros get there. The team still lacks a few components, and it's never more apparent than when the Astros are playing their Lone Star State rivals, the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have always been a pretty good team, but this season they've been dominating the Astros, and it's starting to get to the players in Houston. After one especially brutal loss, Astros relief pitcher Pat Nischak trudges into the clubhouse to find his teammates looking frustrated and demoralized. Some of them stare at their cell phones while others sit half dressed in their uniforms, heads hanging in their hands. They're all wondering how the Rangers got one over on them again, and Neshak is feeling as clueless as the rest of them. All he wants to do is hit the shower and rinse the stink of defeat off of him. But before he can head to his locker, Neshak feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns to find one of his fellow bullpen pitchers, a younger guy who really got lit up tonight by Rangers hitters. Neenshack, meanwhile, is a veteran and occasional mentor to the less experienced guys. He tells the young reliever not to let himself get too down about tonight's game. Everyone has a bad outing sooner or later. But the young pitcher isn't just frustrated. He's angry because he thinks there's only one explanation for how well the Rangers hit tonight, they must have had the Astros signs. Neshak admits that may have been true earlier in the season, but the Astros have been changing their sequence just for games against the Rangers, so he doesn't see how it's possible that the Rangers are stealing them. But the young pitcher leans close and says he's starting to think that the Rangers may have someone sitting in the crowd getting decoded signs from the video replay room, then signaling to their hitter what's coming. Neshak considers this. He has heard whispers that with the advent of replay rooms, some teams might be taking their sign stealing efforts into uncharted territory. Anishak admits that in this day and age, if he were a hitter, he'd bring someone to every game and have them sit out in the center field bleachers with a pair of binoculars to catch the signs. Competitive edge aside, the financial incentives would be too tempting to resist. A 20 point difference in batting average could translate to millions of dollars in a player's salary. But Neshak also notes that when it comes to sign stealing, the rules are clear. It is only allowed when it's done without any kind of technology. So if the young pitcher is accusing the Rangers of cheating, they'll need proof. Certainly more than just a sneaking suspicion that the Rangers are hitting a little too well. The young pitcher nods and says it might be all in his head. Still, he hopes that before tomorrow's game, their pitching coach changes up the signs again and this time comes up with sequences that are harder to crack. And Neshak agrees. With the advent of this new replay technology and who knows what else, a new sign stealing arms race could be underway, and Nishak can't help but wonder how far some teams will go to stay competitive in the 2016 season. Ultimately, no evidence comes to light that the Texas Rangers use their instant replay cameras to steal signs. But teams all over the league are growing increasingly suspicious of each other's tactics. It's in this environment late in the 2016 season that an intern named Derek Vigoa presents a spreadsheet of other team signs that he calls codebreaker to the Astro's front office. @ the time, Codebreaker is just one of the Astros many initiatives to use data and technology to gain an advantage. They're also using a radar system called TrackMan to analyze pitchers by recording the movement and spin of their pitches, and they bring in high speed cameras to study their hitters and help them correct flaws in their swing. Compared to such high tech innovations, Goa's Codebreaker spreadsheet is far from dazzling, but some in the organization are intrigued by its possibilities, including general general manager Jeff Luno. Still, Luno and his team know that technology alone won't be enough for the Astros to make a real run at a World Series title. So to get the edge they need, they also look to bring on more veteran talent, both on and off the field. So in the first weeks of the offseason, Astros manager AJ Hinch hires Alex Cora as a bench coach, and player analyst Brandon Taubman signs Carlos Beltran to give the clubhouse the Latino leadership Hinge believes it needs. Soon, the Astros front office starts to feel like it finally has all the pieces it needs for a truly competitive team. And for Beltran, it feels like he might finally have a shot at doing the one thing he has yet to win, a World Series. Beltron will be turning 40 years old in 2017, so he knows his time as a major league player is running out. If he can't win a championship with the Astros, he may never get another chance. So Beltron is excited to arrive at spring training in Florida in early 2017. But as he meets his talented new teammates, he realizes there's still one area where the Astros are critically behind. One day after practice, Beltran calls for the Astros players to gather around him in the locker room. Hey, guys, Come. Come here. I gotta tell you something. Your sign sequences are way too easy to pick. Carlos, that was just practice. Why are you stealing signs during practice? I'm not talking about practice. I've been watching your signs every time I've played you guys over the last several years. They're all too simple. I can pick them up easy from second base. Yeah, well, even if you do know what pitch is coming to you, you still have to hit it, right? You do, but it's a lot easier if you know what's coming. And it makes a lot of difference when you chased in the playoffs. I mean, a weak team is not going to make a comeback thanks to sign stealing. But for a strong team like us, this it's the kind of advantage that can turn a game. But you guys, you're just giving away your signs. They're too basic. Listen, I played for the Yankees, the Rangers, the Cardinals. I've been to the postseason six times. Alex Cora won a World Series with the Red Sox, and he'll tell you the same thing. This is what playoff teams do. They steal signs. They make sure no one else is stealing from them. They win the mental part of the game. The mental part of the game. Oh, we're just going to forget about the fundamentals? No, no, this is fundamental. Let me put it this way. You've got a former Red Sox and a former Yankee giving you insight about stealing signs, but your plan is to ignore it and keep going with the system you have. The system that did not get you into the playoffs last year. How's that mentality make this a better team? The Astros players glance at each other. Beltran can tell he's starting to win them over because, guys, look, I don't know about you, but I want to make it to the playoffs. In fact, I want to win a World Series. I've never done it, but I'm willing to do what it takes to get there. I hope you are, too. As Beltran walks away, he hopes he can inspire his fellow players to elevate the mental part of their game. It may take him several weeks to get them on board with high level sign stealing, but he believes it's a good first step. He imagines the clubhouse lit up with celebration come fall, the frenzy of his teammates shouting with excitement, cameramen crowded around and champagne bottles being popped. The World Series might be several months away, but for Beltran, it's so close he can already taste From Wonder E. This is Episode two of Houston Astros Caught Stealing for American Scandal in our next episode, the Houston Astros get to work refining their code breaker system for deciphering signs. But as the league begins to crack down on electronic signs dealing with other teams, the Astros are forced to decide if they should give up their newfound competitive edge. If you're enjoying American Scandal, you can unlock exclusive seasons on Wondry. Binge new season first and listen completely ad free when you join Wondery plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a survey@wondry.com survey if you'd like to learn more about the Astro sign stealing scandal, we recommend the books Winning Fixes Everything by Evan Drelich and Cheated by Andy Martino. This episode contains reenactments and dramatized details. And while in most cases we can't know exactly what was said, all our dramatizations are based on historical research. American Scandal is hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham for Airship Audio editing by Christian Paraga Sound design by Gabriel Gould Music by Lindsey Graham this episode is written by AJ Marichel Edited by Emma Cortlandt Fact checking by Alyssa Jung Perry Produced by John Reed Managing Producer Olivia Font Senior Producer Andy Herman Development by Stephanie Jenz Executive producers are Jenny Lauer, Beckman, Marsha Louie and Erin O'Flaherty for wandering Dracula, the ancient vampire who terrorizes Victorian London. Blood and garlic, bats and crucifixes. Even if you haven't read the book, you think you know the story. One of the incredible things about Dracula is that not only is it this wonderful snapshot of the 19th century, but it also has so much resonance today. The vampire doesn't cast a reflection in a mirror, so when we look in the mirror, the only thing we see is our own monstrous abilities. From the host and producer of American History Tellers and History Daily comes the new podcast, the Real History of Dracula. We'll reveal how author Bram Stoker rated ancient folklore, exploited Victorian fears around sex, science and religion, and how even today, we remain enthralled to his strange creatures of the night. You can binge all episodes of the Real History of Dracula exclusively with Wondry. Join Wondery and the Wondry app, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.