PHILADELPHIA — Shane Victorino joked he’s not smart enough to steal signs.
And if he was, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder says he’s doing a lousy job of having success with the inside knowledge.
Former Phillies manager Larry Bowa said in a radio interview on Monday that the team has a reputation for stealing signs — one possible reason the Yankees have held so many meetings on the mound.
“I guess he knows something that I don’t know about, obviously,” Victorino said before Game 5 against the New York Yankees on Monday night. “You know, everybody makes excuses. Everybody is going to find a reason.”
Bowa, now the Dodgers third base coach, told Philadelphia radio station ESPN 950 there are rumors of the Phillies using a center field camera to swipe signs.
Victorino, batting .200 in the Series, became defensive when asked about the sign stealing accusations. He acknowledged sign stealing was an art, but the Phillies didn’t need to use that sneaky info to advance to the World Series two straight years.
“I’m trying to say, `Hey, you’re not giving us enough credit as a team,’” Victorino said. “You’re trying to say the reason why we’re here is because we stole signs.”
MLB considers mound meetings
PHILADELPHIA — All those meetings on the mound called by catcher Jorge Posada and the New York Yankees are giving Major League Baseball pause, too.
Posada and pals visited pitcher CC Sabathia eight times — in a single inning — on Sunday night, grinding Game 4 of the World Series to a standstill. Agitated Phillies fans booed each trip.
MLB vice president of umpiring Mike Port said frequent mound meetings by all teams likely would be discussed by baseball officials this offseason.
Baseball has tried speed-up rules and guidelines in recent years, with varying results. Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon was fined a few times this season and even had a ball called on him for taking too long to pitch. Hitters are encouraged to stay in the batter’s box.
Game 4 highest-rated in 5 years
NEW YORK — Sunday night’s Game 4 was the highest-rated World Series game in five years.
The Yankees’ 7-4 win over the Phillies drew a 13.5 fast national rating and 22 share on Fox. That’s up 45 percent from last year’s Phillies-Rays Game 4.
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