http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21414741&c_id=mlb

i watched this and noticed something peculiar. you can hear a whistle at the exact moment kinsler raises his hand to his mouth.

have the rangers been stealing signs?

Seriously? I think I'm going to need more proof than a dude touching his mouth.

Could be, but I'm not sure why he would whistle. It clearly would draw attention, and it looked like a changeup (when the normal sign would be to signal for fastball).

On a related note, someone told me that they clearly saw Bobby Wilson repeatedly signal fastball during Saturday's game. I'm still trying to find video of that.

yes I think that was Kins whistling but I don't think it had anything to do with the stealing signs. the catcher didn't set up until after the whistle and it was to late for Hammy to adjust. I think it was more of a destraction for the pitcher than a signal to Josh.

Maybe. But I personally don't think it matters.

Yeah, people have strong feelings about stealing signs. Some guys are against it vehemently, some don't care at all, and some think it's fine in certain situations.

From most of what I've read, most people seem to think it's acceptable as long as it's only by players on the field. Having someone on the bench do it is often frowned upon, and having an outsider do it (as the Blue Jays have been accused of, even recently) is considered cheating by almost everyone. If you assume it's only players involved, then I don't think it's a problem. If you want to make sure your pitch calls can't be read by a baserunner, it's your responsibility to mask them appropriately. There's a reason they use signs instead of just calling out "hey Jered! Throw a fastball!" If your signs are easy to read by the other players on the field, that's not their problem, and I don't think you should blame the players for using it as an attempt to gain leverage.

But that's just my opinion.

Maybe. But I personally don't think it matters.

Yeah, people have strong feelings about stealing signs. Some guys are against it vehemently, some don't care at all, and some think it's fine in certain situations.

From most of what I've read, most people seem to think it's acceptable as long as it's only by players on the field. Having someone on the bench do it is often frowned upon, and having an outsider do it (as the Blue Jays have been accused of, even recently) is considered cheating by almost everyone. If you assume it's only players involved, then I don't think it's a problem. If you want to make sure your pitch calls can't be read by a baserunner, it's your responsibility to mask them appropriately. There's a reason they use signs instead of just calling out "hey Jered! Throw a fastball!" If your signs are easy to read by the other players on the field, that's not their problem, and I don't think you should blame the players for using it as an attempt to gain leverage.

But that's just my opinion.

Stupid reposting. Sorry guys.

I have no problems with players stealing signs (doesn't look like Kins is doing anything like that). Like Andy said, if you're signs are easy enough to steal, then you may as well be yelling fastball or changeup at the catcher.

Players stealing signs is part of the game. Honestly, that's smart baseball. There is nothing unethical or bad about steailing opposing team's signs. It's another thing when a accusations come out like the Blue Jays deal, when a hired man is in the stands from an unfair vantage point and relaying signs to the players. Kinsler, and every other Ranger, relay signs to the hitter from second base - whether it be a sound or any type of motion.

Every team in baseball attempts to steal the opposing team's signs. It's a big part of the game.

This is a topic we've visited before and I tend to agree with the majority opinion -- again -- that stealing signs has been part of baseball forever.
But while I'm fine with sign stealing, I'm not fine with the complaints of the team, or pitcher, or catcher of the team getting them stolen.
The solution is simple and can be handled two ways. Either make them hard to steal, or, and this is the most effective, change them around when you have someone on base and you suspect they are getting stolen.
If a batter has just been told by the runner at second a curve is coming but its a fastball near his ribs, the batter isn't going to trust his runner again. End of problem.
And was Kinsler really whistling to Hamilton about what pitch to hit? Whistling? Really?
If he wanted to be so obvious he might as well yell what the pitch was.

Wasn't A-Rod accused of something similar? When he would see the catcher slide his glove toward the inside part of the plate for another hitter, A-Rod would whistle. I actually saw it a couple of times during one braodcast of a game last year. It's sneaky but works.

I'm not certain that the whistle came from Ian there, and further, I have no problem whatsoever with a baserunner on second stealing signs from the catcher. If you don't want guys stealing your signs, mix them up when there are guys on base, or have the signals come from somebody other than the catcher.