Ben Verlander’s Defense of Jose Altuve Reignites 2017 Astros Cheating Scandal Debate
The Houston Astros’ 2017 World Series win continues to spark heated discussion in the baseball world, even nearly a decade later. The scandal surrounding the team’s use of a sign-stealing system during that season has never truly faded—and now, a fresh take from a familiar name is pushing it back into the spotlight.
Ben Verlander, a former minor league baseball player turned analyst and the younger brother of legendary MLB pitcher Justin Verlander, has recently stirred controversy with his comments on social media defending Astros second baseman José Altuve. In a series of posts, Ben firmly denied Altuve’s involvement in the 2017 cheating scheme that helped the Astros secure their first-ever World Series title against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His remarks have reignited public debate, bringing back raw emotions for fans, players, and critics alike.
The controversy revolves around the now-infamous sign-stealing scandal, in which the Houston Astros were found guilty by Major League Baseball of using technology to illegally steal opposing teams’ signs during the 2017 season and postseason. A camera placed in center field fed live footage to a monitor near the dugout, where players and staff would decode the signs and communicate them to hitters using audible cues, like banging on trash cans.
This elaborate system was deemed a clear violation of MLB rules and sparked one of the biggest scandals in the sport’s modern history. Several members of the Astros organization, including then-manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow, were handed suspensions and subsequently fired. Yet, none of the players involved received formal punishment, thanks to immunity granted by MLB in exchange for cooperation.
Among those players was José Altuve, one of the faces of the franchise and 2017 American League MVP. Though he was part of the roster during the scandalous run, Altuve has consistently denied direct involvement in the sign-stealing system. And while some fans and media figures have remained skeptical of his innocence, others have defended him—Ben Verlander now among them.
Verlander’s recent posts emphasized his belief that Altuve was not only uninvolved but actively resisted using the system. “Jose Altuve didn’t cheat. He never wanted it, and he never participated in it,” Ben tweeted. “People are holding onto a narrative that doesn’t match the facts.”
He went further, suggesting that the vilification of Altuve has been largely undeserved. According to Ben, not all Astros players were complicit in the cheating, and Altuve has unfairly carried the weight of a scandal that was more collective in nature. “He’s a future Hall of Famer, and he did it the right way,” Verlander wrote. “It’s time people accept the truth.”
The backlash was swift. Critics pointed to a variety of moments during and after the 2017 season, including Altuve’s now-infamous refusal to let teammates rip off his jersey after a walk-off home run in the 2019 ALCS. That incident sparked widespread speculation that Altuve was wearing a buzzer or electronic device—a claim that has never been substantiated, but continues to fuel conspiracy theories.
Skeptics also argue that even if Altuve did not personally use the trash can system or other methods, he still benefited from a tainted environment and was part of a team-wide scandal. “It’s not about one player,” said one former MLB coach on social media. “It’s about a culture that let this happen and win a championship with it.”
Verlander’s comments were met with both applause and anger. Astros fans rallied around him, echoing his defense of their star player and calling for the baseball world to move on from the scandal. Dodgers supporters, on the other hand, saw it as yet another example of revisionist history aimed at downplaying a major injustice in the sport.
The timing of Verlander’s comments adds another layer of intrigue. With the MLB All-Star Game approaching and the Astros fighting to stay competitive in the AL standings, public interest in the team’s legacy—and the players who shaped it—has only intensified.
Justin Verlander, Ben’s older brother and a key member of the 2017 Astros pitching staff, has mostly stayed silent on the scandal in recent years. While he previously expressed regret that he didn’t do more to stop what was happening in the clubhouse, he has largely avoided directly commenting on teammates’ roles.
Now, with Ben taking a strong and vocal position, some fans wonder whether the Verlander family is attempting to reshape the narrative surrounding Houston’s championship and the players involved.
Jose Altuve himself has not publicly responded to Ben Verlander’s recent posts, but he has maintained throughout the years that his conscience is clear. In past interviews, he’s said that he tried to stay away from the cheating and wanted to win the right way.
Still, for many fans and media voices, the line between individual guilt and team accountability remains blurred. The scandal, though years in the past, continues to cast a long shadow over the achievements of the 2017 Astros—regardless of how much time has passed or how many players step forward to defend their roles.
Ultimately, Ben Verlander’s passionate defense of Altuve serves as a reminder that the wounds from 2017 have yet to fully heal. It reignites a discussion that Major League Baseball—and its fans—cannot seem to put to rest. Whether his words will sway public opinion or simply add fuel to the fire remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain: in the court of public opinion, the Astros’ 2017 title is still on trial.
