Dusty Baker Defends Jose Altuve Over Astros’ Cheating Scandal

Dusty Baker & Jose Altuve (Image Credits: Imagn)

Dusty Baker Defends Jose Altuve Over Astros’ Cheating Scandal

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated May 15, 2026 1:31 AM ET

The Houston Astros became the most hated sports team, certainly in North America, when the sign-stealing scandal broke out in 2019. Jose Altuve became the biggest target of abuse from rival fans, being the most prolific batter and arguably the face of the team. Yet several former Astros players and staff stated Altuve did not take unfair means to gain any advantage.

Former Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker recently pleaded the innocence of Jose Altuve with regard to the sign-stealing scandal. He expressed sadness over the hatred Altuve received from the rival fans when the team traveled on the road. Baker feels the Astros’ second baseman became the arch-enemy in the minds of MLB fans, even though he was really innocent.

“You know the guy who took the brunt of it was really Jose Altuve. And he was really the most innocent dude there. That really affected me, how he was treated, and he didn’t deserve it,” he told former NBA star Matt Barnes on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast.

Former Astros Manager Dusty Baker spoke on Jose Altuve and the Astros cheating scandal, via the @allthesmokeprod

“You know the guy who took the brunt of it was really Jose Altuve, and he was really the most innocent dude there. That really affected me, how he was treated and he… pic.twitter.com/JKzV4dzcaf
— SleeperAstros (@SleeperAstros) May 14, 2026

The Astros won the first World Series title of the franchise in 2017. But a couple of years later, it was found that they used illegal methods to pick up signs from opposing teams at their ballpark. They placed high-zoom cameras behind the batter’s eye to predict the type of pitch coming. The information was relayed to the batter by banging on a trash can.

Dusty Baker Opens Up On Taking Astros Job Amid Scandal

MLB suspended then-Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and his bench coach, Alex Cora, for the entire 2020 season. The Astros’ front office brought in Dusty Baker as the next manager of the team. The 76-year-old reflected on joining the team amid such high controversy.

Dusty Baker (Image Credits: Imagn)

“I knew I had a chance to win,” Baker said. “I didn’t care about the scandal. Because I wasn’t there. I just asked the world to forgive them. Because the hardest thing in the world is for people to forgive each other, but everybody’s quick to throw stones.”

Baker led the Astros to three division titles in four years, along with two American League pennants and the 2022 World Series. He stepped down from his role at the end of the 2023 campaign.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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