Phillies Accused of Stealing Pitch Signs: Report

The Phillies are accused of stealing more than just bases -- they allegedly were stealing pitch signs from the Colorado Rockies Monday night.

The MLB issued a warning to the Phils on Tuesday, according to a Fox News report:

"The incident in Colorado was brought to light during the telecast of the Rockies-Phillies game on Monday night by FSN Rocky Mountain, which showed that with the Phillies hitting in the top of the second inning, Philadelphia bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was using binoculars to look in at Rockies catcher Miguel Olivo.

The video also showed Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino in the dugout on the bullpen phone."

"We found the evidence inconclusive on what was being done, but we have spoken to the Phillies about the situation and the umpires have been told to be on full alert," an MLB official told FoxSports.com.

Manager Charlie Manuel told The Associated Press that Billmeyer simply was watching Philadelphia catcher Carlos Ruiz set up defensively Monday night.

On Wednesday the Phillies told NBC Philadelphia that they had received a warning from MLB but that the club had no further comment.

The Mets also filed a complaint raising similar concerns after the Phillies rocked New York ace Johan Santana earlier this month, according to Fox News.

It's worth noting that stealing signs in baseball is nothing new. Arguably the biggest moment in our National Pastime's history, Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard Round the World," allegedly happened as Thomson's Giants team was stealing signs, according to the book The Echoing Green.

Does a history of stealing signs make it fair -- is it just another example of gamemanship? What do you think?

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