This video is from Tuesday night’s Game 2 of the Twins-Tigers series. With Joe Mauer on second, a runner on third and Jason Kubel at the plate, Mauer gives the batter signals for which pitch is coming from Verlander. And he does so pretty blatantly. Observe (click here to see larger video, which has handy subtitles explaining what’s going on):
Video of Joe Mauer Blatantly Stealing Signs, Relaying Them to the Batter
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↵Of course, there is a chance that Mauer’s ear was just really bothering him right before every Verlander curveball — a sixth sense, like when Buffy would get cramps when a vampire was near by. But more than likely, this was his sign to the batter that the hook was coming. And really, what’s wrong with doing this?
↵In my mind: nothing. At the risk of going all get-off-my-lawn, this is a part of baseball, and it happens all the time. It’s the reason catchers change up their signals whenever a runner reaches second base.
↵So, if Mauer is savvy enough to get away with it, then good for him. (Or, more accurately, ballsy enough to continue doing it even after the opposition has recognized he’s doing so.) Although he should probably expect a fastball between the numbers. Baseball justice!
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