Explaining the Astros Cheating Scandal and Lingering Hate for George Springer

This recurring confusion stems from the infamous 2017 Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. During their World Series winning season, the Astros illegally used a camera system to steal opposing teams' pitching signs from the dugout and then relayed them to batters in real-time, often by banging on a trash can. George Springer was a prominent player on that team. Many baseball fans, especially those of teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers (who lost to the Astros in the 2017 World Series), believe the Astros' championship was illegitimate and that the players involved were not sufficiently punished. This widespread resentment means that any incident involving these players, such as George Springer being hit by a pitch, can trigger renewed anger and celebratory reactions from fans who still feel cheated. The topic frequently resurfaces as new fans enter the sport or past incidents are brought up, leading to requests for an explanation of the historical context behind the 'Trashtro Cheater' label.