BALTIMORE — After the Yankees accused the Red Sox of using electronics to steal signs against them last month at Fenway Park, Boston fought back by making similar allegations against the Yankees.
On Tuesday, Joe Girardi strongly denied the Red Sox’ claim the Yankees used YES Network cameras to spy on them, as first reported by the New York Times.
“No chance,” Girardi said at Camden Yards before the Yankees were scheduled to play the Orioles. “We’re being accused of looking over the camera well, I think. The guy gave signs that [first-base coach] Tony Pena could see, too. I’m just saying no, we’re not doing that.”
Brett Gardner insisted he was unaware of the Yankees using any electronics to swipe signs.
“I don’t know anything about that,” Gardner said. “That’s kind of silly.”
Though the Yankees aren’t about to admit wrongdoing even if they were up to something, Gardner sounded as if he wasn’t even interested.
“It’s definitely not something we do or have ever done,’’ Gardner said. “I’m not even a fan of [how in] the last couple of years they’ve had iPads in the dugout. I wish they’d go back to the old school and none of that stuff was available. But that’s the world we live in now.”
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the rivalry between the two teams helped lead to the public battle.
“I do believe that this is a charged situation from a competitive perspective when you have the kind of rivalry that the Yankees and the Red Sox have, I guess it’s not shocking you could have charges and countercharges like this,’’ Manfred said at a previously scheduled press conference at Fenway Park.
Girardi didn’t deny the Yankees were looking for any advantage they could get.
“I think, as a team, that everyone tries to do something,” the manager said.
When asked whether the Yankees try, Girardi replied: “You can assume what you want.”




