Philies World Series Ring Tainted

[Sweetleaf22]

Olivo said Billmeyer's actions could tarnish the two-time defending NL champions' image.

"If you're a good team and you win, I think you don't need to do that because they got good hitters, they got good players," Olivo said. "If it helps them, if they don't get caught, then whatever. If they get caught, then they're going to pay for it."

FOXSports.com first reported the reprimand from the league, which reviewed video of the matter Tuesday.

While sign-stealing is something all teams try to do, using electronic equipment, enhanced devices and technology is not allowed in baseball.

It's not the first time accusations of cheating have been lobbed at the Phillies. The New York Mets accused the Phillies of stealing signs through a center-field camera in 2007, and the Boston Red Sox leveled charges against them in 2008.

Major League Baseball isn't happy, and has told the Philadelphia Phillies to knock it off.

FSN Rocky Mountain, the flagship broadcaster of the Colorado Rockies, showed Billmeyer using the binoculars to peer in on Colorado catcher Miguel Olivo while the Phillies were at bat in the top of the second inning.

It also showed a quick image of Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino in the dugout on the bullpen phone in the top of the second.

We're not going to let a guy stand up there in the bullpen with binoculars looking in. We're smarter than that." Manuel said.

During the World Series last year, former Phillies manager Larry Bowa said Philadelphia has a reputation for stealing signs.

The Rockies noticed Billmeyer using the binoculars from his perch in center field in the first inning Monday night and asked FSN to zoom in on the visitor's bullpen.

Armed with evidence, Rockies manager Jim Tracy brought it to the attention of crew chief Jerry Crawford, who spoke with Manuel between the first and second innings of that game.

"I didn't know about it," Manuel said Wednesday. "I told the umpire, 'No, we don't have anybody out there with binoculars.' I come to find out that we did. He used them to watch Ruiz set up and his catching and things like that. At the same time, we're not supposed to have them out there."

A Phillies spokesman said Billmeyer wasn't commenting on the matter.

The video of Billmeyer showed him peering through the binoculars, then quickly pulling them down.

The Rockies weren't buying any of Manuel's explanations.

"As far as I'm concerned it's out of line," Tracy said. "It's one thing to go out and play a club as tough as you can possibly play it within the framework of the way they've structured things to be done. ... Nobody says that you don't explore something like that, but if you're cheating and you get caught, then you know what? Then you'd better do something about it. That's my reaction to that.

"But a pair of binoculars staring down the gun barrel of the hitting area? You know what, I don't think any club in baseball that's competing against that team would take too kindly to that," Tracy said. "Now you can come up with all kinds of reasons as to why you had them and what you were doing with them.

"Are we to believe them all? Or is it OK for us to think maybe there might be some sort of competitive advantage that you might be gaining for yourself? And then you start reflecting back on some of the things that have taken place in previous games and it makes you sit and wonder a little bit."

The Rockies aren't the first team to suspect the Phillies of shenanigans this season. Asked what he considered crossing the lines in baseball, Tracy said, "Using binoculars, that's crossing the line."

Tracy said: "We don't cry here. I want to make that clear right now. We work very hard."


During the World Series last year, former Phillies manager Larry Bowa said Philadelphia has a reputation for stealing signs.

[Windy City Irish]

yawn

[Dr. Jack]

Bellicheat would be proud

but in all seriousness this is nothing. Every team steals signs & it means little. Jmo

[Windy City Irish]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jack

Bellicheat would be proud

but in all seriousness this is nothing. Every team steals signs & it means little. Jmo

you will refer to him only as genius

thank you for your time

[be47320]

Interesting story..on a related note it is about to come out that both raul ibanez and jimmy rollins have been placing -200 no juice bets at pinnacle for the last year or so.

[Windy City Irish]

Originally Posted by be47320

Interesting story..on a related note it is about to come out that both raul ibanez and jimmy rollins have been placing -200 no juice bets at pinnacle for the last year or so.

25 UNIT future plays are hot these days!

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

thats great reporting sweetfraud but this has been going around the Phils for about 5 years so update ur search engine dummy.

On a sidenote i HEARD THE Pens wanted to put there 2009 stanley cup somewere will it will never be touched..so they decided to put on home plate at PNC Park..........HEY OHHHHHHHHHH. LOVE ME SOME FUTURES BETS

[chibob]

If the Black Babe continues on this pace, he will fall about 69 short of your predicted 140..might be one of the worst statements anyone ever made

At least I don't predict WS winner for Cubs, so your safe with your 102

71 LMAO

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

Bob it kills u that the Phillies are this good. everytime u make a statement regarding baseball it is the worst statement. Black Ruth will get his 145. Oh when I predicted a WS they won it then lost the next year and Im predicting it again and oh wait they are in 1st place again with a beat up team, dig into ur wallet and get cable cuz those rabbit ears on ur balck and white tv block u out from the rest of the MLBTake ur prune juice and meds and get in the hoveraround and go burn some rubber. 102 AND COUNTING. LMAO I seem to remember someone saying Lee is better than Howard wonder who that is? hmmmmmmm. Love it a BITTER old Cub fan so jealous

[Sweetleaf22]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/05/1...suspected.html


http://www.raysindex.com/2009/10/how...this-year.html

http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2010/0...cheating-gate/


http://tomahawktake.com/2010/05/12/p...ught-cheating/


http://www.walkoffwalk.com/2010/05/p...ir-way-to.html

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

Originally Posted by chibob

If the Black Babe continues on this pace, he will fall about 69 short of your predicted 140..might be one of the worst statements anyone ever made

At least I don't predict WS winner for Cubs, so your safe with your 102

71 LMAO

thanks Bob theres another 400ft bomb 2 more rbis. such a joke u r Bob

[Sweetleaf22]

[be47320]

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

thats a good pic of the pen coach. Billmeyer dserves some pub. GO HABS

[Sweetleaf22]

Im rooting for the Habs all the way .............



Go Habs.....................................