It just gets worse and worse for the Houston Astros.
Second baseman Jose Altuve, the hero of the team’s 2017 World Series title, is now fighting off rumors he and other Astros stars were wearing electronic buzzers under their jerseys to receive pitch information in the team’s sign-stealing scandal.
Altuve’s agent, Scott Boras, told Sports Illustrated on Thursday that “Altuve … wants it known that he has never, ever worn an electronic device in a major league game — ever. He never received any form — of a trigger or any information — via an electronic product that was on his body or in his uniform. He has never worn any electronic device. Ever.”
Altuve is pushing back amid swirling rumors that the presence of such a buzzer was one of the reasons he did not want his jersey torn off by celebrating teammates after his walkoff home run in the 2019 ALCS.
On the field after hitting the game-winner, Altuve told interviewers he did want to be shirtless because his wife preferred it that way.
On Twitter, baseball reporters and others noted that Altuve, as he was running toward teammates after the hit, clearly warned the other Astros not to rip his jersey.
Altuve making sure he keeps that jersey on (via r/nyyankees) pic.twitter.com/OO32FVFxTi
— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) January 16, 2020
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