Orioles: White Sox May Be Spying

The Baltimore Orioles have complained to the American League that the Chicago White Sox may be using two-way radios to help spot and relay signals from their opposition’s dugout.

The Orioles watched one of the Chicago coaches operating a walkie-talkie from a box seat alongside the visiting dugout during two games this week and filed the complaint.

Oriole Manager Frank Robinson said the White Sox may be violating a league directive that he says limits the use of the radios.

Under the directive, radios are allowed to be used from an agreeable spot, usually the area of the press box, for defensive purposes only, Robinson said. The “Eye In The Sky” coach has become an increasingly popular tactic, but Robinson said it is being abused.

The Orioles monitored White Sox Manager Jeff Torborg and coach Joe Nossek, operating from a box seat alongside the visiting dugout Wednesday night. Nossek is an acknowledged master at stealing signs, so the Orioles decided they had enough evidence for General Manager Roland Hemond to play “counterspy” Thursday night, sitting near Nossek.

Robinson said contact between Nossek and Torborg was minimal Thursday, so espionage had nothing to do with the Orioles’ 5-3 loss.

Torborg denied the charge.