The Houston Astros He doesn’t appear to be running away from fraud allegations.
Catcher Martin Maldonado was using an illegal racquet in the World Championship Game 1 Friday night, according to MLB.
FOX’s Tom Verducci revealed on Saturday night’s Game 2 broadcast that Maldonado found out from MLB earlier Saturday that the bat he used on Friday was illegal.
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Martin Maldonado of the Houston Astros performs a second half RBI in Game 1 of the 2022 World Championships against the Philadelphia Phillies at Minute Maid Park on Friday, October 28, 2022 in Houston.
(Daniel Sherry/MLB Images via Getty Images)
Maldonado obtained the bat from Albert Pujols and used it because he thought it was similar in size and weight to the model he was using. The bat barrel is a bit larger than allowed.
Maldonado also wanted to honor the future Hall of Famer, who retired this season after hitting 703 homers.
In 2010, Major League Baseball changed bat specifications, making the Pujols shape illegal. However, the league said players in the league before 2010 were not required to meet these specifications. Consequently, Pujols was able to use the bat for the rest of his career. Maldonado hasn’t been allowed to use a bat since he started his MLB career in 2011.
The Astros have become infamous for being the culprits of The most famous sign-stealing scandal in baseball history in 2017. A trash can blasting program helped them win the world championship that year.
Martin Maldonado of the Houston Astros during World Championships practice at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2022 in Houston.
(Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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No player was penalized for the scheme, but the team was fined $5 million and lost two recruiting picks, and manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended and fired. .
It was also said that Jose Altuve wore a bell while walking on his floor during the 2019 ALCS, although this has not been confirmed.
Maldonado was a member of the 2019 Astros but not on the 2017 roster.
Houston Astros’ Martin Maldonado (15) hits an RBI song in the second half during Game 1 of the 2022 World Championships against the Philadelphia Phillies at Minute Maid Park on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 in Houston.
(Logan Riley/MLB Images via Getty Images)
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He went 1 for 3 with the RBI on Friday, but the Astros lost in 10 points to the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-5. He hit and lined out in his first two games in Game 2 at bats on Saturday.
