MLB: Phillies deny sign theft allegations

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.

"There's rumors going around that when you play the Phillies, there's a camera somewhere or bullpen people are giving signs," Bowa said. "And catchers are constantly changing signs. That's the rumor. Now, is it proven? No."

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."

RATINGS UP: 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.

Fox said Monday it's the best rating for a non-decisive Game 4 since a 13.6/23 for a 12-inning Yankees-Marlins game in 2003. It's also the best rating for any World Series game since 2004 when the Red Sox finished their four-game sweep of the Cardinals to end their 86-year championship drought.

NEXT STARTERS: Starters for a possible Game 6 are on hold.

Neither manager wanted to discuss plans for a potential starter because there might not be a need for one if the Yankees wrap up their 27th World Series championship on Monday night.

Manager Charlie Manuel said he picked one out — and hoped he could use one. Game 2 loser Pedro Martinez is the likely candidate.