Two Los Angeles city councilmen are pushing to have Major League Baseball declare the L.A. Dodgers the rightful winners of the 2017 and 2018 World Series. The resolution, introduced last week by Paul Koretz and Gilbert Cedillo, comes on the heels of the MLB’s findings that the Houston Astros cheated their way to victory.
MLB concluded this week that the Astros used a camera to illicitly steal pitching signs from opponents' catchers during the 2017 season, which culminated with Houston defeating the Dodgers in the World Series.According to the league, the sign-stealing system was orchestrated by then-Astros bench coach Alex Cora, who went on to serve as the Red Sox manager in 2018. That season ended with Boston besting the Dodgers in the Fall Classic.
The full results of the investigation can be read here. They have resulted in the firing of General Manager Jeff Luhnow and Manager A.J. Hinch, plus $5 million in fines and the loss of first and second-round draft picks for two years. More disciplinary action and/or fallout may await.
Koretz told City News Service that the level of scandal here appears unprecedented.
“There have been scandals in the past over the century-plus that we've had Major League Baseball in this country. I'm not sure if we've had this documented an effort to steal two World Series, and we know the results.”
“I think that would be an appropriate payback” he added about having the Dodgers declared World Series champions. “I think this really besmirches the national pastime and the most historic sport in American history, and there has to be a message that this isn't allowed."