Yankees’ Brian Cashman dismisses World Series drought idea, saying teams cheated us

The New York Yankees are back in the World Series for the first time since 2009.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman was asked what it means to him to be back in the World Series after 15 years, and his answer may surprise many.

“It means a lot, and I hate that 15-year thing because it completely forgets and discounts that some other organizations cheated us when we were finally all set. If you knew what was going on, I don’t think they would think we would have even made progress in that time, so I hate that 15-year thing because I don’t think it accurately reflects history,” Cashman said during an appearance on MLB Network’s “High Heat.”

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New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman talks to the media prior to the game between the Yankees and the Washington Nationals at Yankee Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

Cashman is referring to the 2017 and 2019 Houston Astros teams that defeated the Yankees in the ALCS.

During the 2017 season, the Astros placed a camera in the outfield of their home stadium aimed at home plate. A TV monitor was placed in the dugout showing the camera in the outfield.

Players and staff then decoded the signals from the opposing catchers and then announced with a loud sound which pitch was coming. The sound was generally banging on a trash can.

In a now-deleted post, 2017 Astros member Evan Gattis admitted that he knew which pitch came from Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia during the Astros’ 4-0 Game 7 victory due to their sign-stealing system.

The Astros defeated the Yankees in that ALCS and went on to win the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

MEMBER OF CHEATING ASTROS TEAM GOES ON SCANDAL, KNEW WHICH PITCH WAS COMING ON KEY ALCS HOMER

Houston Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis, #11, in action during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Minute Maid Park. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Gattis also admitted that the team also knew what pitches were coming in the World Series.

The MLB handed out one-year suspensions to then-Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch. Both Luhnow and Hinch were fired the day the suspensions were handed down. Hinch now currently manages the Detroit Tigers.

The Astros also forfeited their first- and second-round draft picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts, while also being fined $5 million.

Also suspended was Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Cora was Houston’s bench coach in 2017 before taking over as manager with the Red Sox after their World Series run.

Cora was suspended for a season and then rehired by the Red Sox after serving his suspension. Cashman may also have been subtly talking about the 2018 Red Sox, who managed to get Cora to the World Series because they were also punished for sign stealing — that team beat the Yankees in the ALDS.

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Jose Altuve, #27 of the Houston Astros, reacts to being awarded the ALCS MVP after winning the AL pennant with a 6-4 win in Game 6 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, 19 October. 2019 in Houston. (Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Carlos Beltran was hired as manager of the New York Mets, but was fired before managing a single game due to his involvement in the operation while he was a player on the team.

In the 2019 ALCS, Jose Altuve hit a walk-off home run in Game 6 to send the Astros over the Yankees to the World Series. People were suspicious that Altuve was wearing a buzzer that indicated what pitch was coming because as he rounded third base and headed home, he signaled to his teammates not to take off his shirt.

Altuve then headed to the clubhouse to change jerseys before conducting his interview and celebrating with the team. It has never been confirmed that Altuve was wearing a buzzer.

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New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman speaks to the media during the MLB General Managers Meetings at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

After taking shots at the Astros, Cashman praised his current group.

“But regardless, we’re proud to be where we are today. I think without a doubt that our baseball operations, our organization, led by our owner Hal Steinbrenner, I think we field a championship-caliber team every year at the put on the field, and You can dream big things, and this year’s version has proven successful so far, and hopefully we can take advantage of that by winning four more games,” Cashman added.

The World Series kicks off Friday at 8:00 PM ET on FOX in Los Angeles. Gerrit Cole gets the start for the Yankees, while Jack Flaherty gets the start for the Dodgers.

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