Chattanooga tire store has fun with Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal

FILE - In this July 2, 2019, file photo, Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch reacts during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, in Denver. Houston manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for the entire season Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, and the team was fined $5 million for sign-stealing by the team in 2017 and 2018 season. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face punishment later. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) FILE - In this July 2, 2019, file photo, Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch reacts during a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, in Denver. Houston manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for the entire season Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, and the team was fined $5 million for sign-stealing by the team in 2017 and 2018 season. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the discipline and strongly hinted that current Boston manager Alex Cora — the Astros bench coach in 2017 — will face punishment later. Manfred said Cora developed the sign-stealing system used by the Astros. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

By Mark Kennedy January 22, 2020 1 min read

The Tire Discounters store on Signal Mountain Boulevard pokes fun at Major Leage Baseball’s sign-stealing scandal. Photo by Mark Kennedy.

The Tire Discounters store on Signal Mountain Boulevard is poking fun at major league baseball’s Houston Astros this week.

Major League Baseball has been rocked by an unfolding scandal that has resulted in several managers losing their jobs. The controversy involves alleged sign-stealing by the Astros during the 2017 baseball season.

A message board outside the Chattanooga business reads: “If you see the Astros near (this) sign please call 498-7787.”

David Higgins, general manager of the Signal Mountain Boulevard tire store, said several motorists have called in the past couple of days to share a laugh over the sign message.

“We try to have fun with the sign,” Higgins said, noting that the store usually posts a funny message on Mondays and a sale notice on Thursdays leading into the weekend.