Ben Zobrist Responds to Yasmani Grandal’s Accusations of Sign Stealing

After game two of the NLCS, Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal accused the Chicago Cubs of stealing signs. Grandal specifically named Cubs’ second baseman Ben Zobrist and said that he had Dodgers’ signs.

Regardless if Grandal’s claim is true or not, baseball teams are going to try to steal signs. It’s just a part of the game. As long as it’s not against the rules, teams are going to try to do it. It’s up to the Dodgers to make sure their signs aren’t easily figured out.

“Did we know Zobrist had the signs and was doing something for it? Yeah, we did…”

Zobrist denied the accusations in a tweet that he sent out on Monday.

This is hilarious….umm…no I was not stealing signs. Glad you think my baseball IQ is that high. https://t.co/2XMFmQJS5i

— Ben Zobrist (@benzobrist18) October 18, 2016

However Zobrist did admit to ESPN’s Jayson Stark that he has tried to steal signs before, but has been unsuccessful so far.

“I’ve tried [to steal signs] before, but it’s never worked out.”

Zobrist didn’t seem to take offense to the accusation, and joked around a bit when talking about it.

Roberts said stealing signs is part of gamesmanship, which is why catchers use different sets of signs with runners on base.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 17, 2016

Roberts’ view of stealing signs mirrors ex-Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, who said nearly the same thing after the St. Louis Cardinals were accused of stealing signs during the 2014 playoffs.

With two tense games so far, these little kinds of back-and-forth banter should add to an already exciting series.