Verlander gets big laughs at BBWAA banquet for joking about scandal
Astros right-hander Justin Verlander got some big laughs at the Baseball Writers' Association of America's awards banquet in New York on Saturday night for referencing Houston's sign-stealing scandal.
At NY BBWAA dinner, Verlander accepted AL Cy Young Award and noted how the Astros were “technologically and analytically advanced” as a way to praise the organization. But that phrase caused some in the audience to guffaw. Verlander waited until noise subsided before resuming
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 26, 2020
However, not everyone was amused by the one-liner as a clip of the speech started circulating.
Here’s video of Justin Verlander being the biggest hypocrite alive as he jokes about the cheating Houston Astros at the BBWAA dinner pic.twitter.com/ymUGhYd0It
— The Short Porch (@short_porch) January 26, 2020
Recently retired New York Yankees southpaw CC Sabathia was also present, and he was apparently unimpressed by Verlander's supposed attempt at humor.
Verlander just joked that "everyone knows the Astros are technologically analytically advanced." CC, 5 feet away, looks freakin' pissed.
— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) January 26, 2020
Have a friend at the BBWAA dinner who believes CC left during or right after Verlander’s speech. One can only hope he’s waiting for JV out in the lobby.
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) January 26, 2020
The 36-year-old Verlander was on hand to accept his AL Cy Young and was introduced by former teammate Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel, who played seven seasons in Houston and is now with the Chicago White Sox, was the first member of the 2017 Astros to publicly apologize for the sign-stealing scheme.
Verlander - who's had a tumultuous relationship with the press - has long been one of baseball's most vocal players when it comes to impropriety, cheating, and things generally being amiss. This past summer, he was critical of the balls being used by MLB for being juiced. The Astros also blocked Detroit Free Press reporter Anthony Fenech from postgame interviews in August on Verlander's behalf.