While the COVID-19 pandemic might prevent Los Angeles Dodgers fans from being inside Dodger Stadium to boo the Astros, it clearly didn’t stop them from getting a few shots in at the team.
Nearly nine months after MLB found the Houston Astros electronically stole signs from opponents, including the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series, baseball fans in Los Angeles got in a little revenge on Saturday.
With the Astros playing at Dodger Stadium for the first time since MLB revealed the biggest cheating scandal in decades, fans came out in droves to greet the team with heckling, trolling and even a sign flying above the ballpark.
Hostility toward the Astros was already high coming into the 2020 MLB season. It only intensified in July when Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly was suspended eight games – reduced to five on appeal – after he threw near the heads of Astros’ hitters.
It wasn’t the first time Kelly was suspended for throwing at an opponent. However, Kelly and MLB fans were outraged by the punishment this season because Houston’s players avoided discipline for their role in the cheating.
At the time of MLB’s investigation, commissioner Rob Manfred granted immunity to all players who cooperated. The decision drew significant criticism and led to a rule change this season.
Of course, it’s too little and far too late for the Dodgers. The team and fan base feels robbed of a World Series. And while a rally outside Dodger Stadium to heckle the Astros didn’t completely erase the pain, it brought a moment of joy for Los Angeles fans.
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