The Houston Astros brushed off any suggestions that they are using 2017's sign-stealing scandal as motivation ahead of their World Series against the Atlanta Braves.
Houston will host the Braves in Game 1 on Tuesday, with the Astros featuring in the third World Series in five seasons.
Houston's 2017 World Series title remains shrouded in controversy the Astros were found to have stolen signs of opposition teams on the way to winning the championship, as well as for part of 2018.
General manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were subsequently fired by the team after they were initially suspended.
The Astros have since regularly been greeted with jeers and boos in road games but manager Dusty Baker, who was appointed in 2020, insisted they were not out to prove people wrong.
"I don't think that's their main source of motivation," Baker told reporters on Monday. "I think people are trying to make it as their main source of motivation. That doesn't motivate you nearly as much as thriving to win and thriving for excellence.
"I think this team is way past that because they know they can play. You can only be driven by 'I'll show you,' or you can only be driven by negative motivation so far."
Houston infielders Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve are both holdovers from the 2017 roster but reiterated Baker's stance.
"I don't think the outside noise motivates us at all," said Correa, who has hit .297 with five RBIs and 11 hits this postseason.
"The guys inside [the clubhouse] - we motivate ourselves to just be better every single day, and you see the results on the field.
"I don't think we're playing here in the World Series because we're motivated to prove to people that we're a really good team."
Altuve, who hit .278 with 31 home runs and 83 RBIs across the regular season, said he had not considered the sign-stealing scandal in the lead-up to the World Series.
"I haven't thought about that, but I think we have the same mindset we always have, just going out there and try to win," Altuve said.
"This is a pretty special team. Everybody just talks about winning. We all want to win. There's not a single guy who talks about something else."
Correa and Altuve were both crucial in offense for the Astros in 2017, recording 14 RBIs in the postseason, with both hitting two home runs in the World Series.
'It's been an amazing ride' - former Man Utd and Portugal star Nani retires
Former Manchester United and Portugal star Nani has announced his retirement from football at the age of 38.
The ex-winger brings the curtain down on a decorated career, which began at Sporting CP, where he would enjoy three separate spells.
Nani's most successful period came during his eight-year stint with Man Utd, with whom he won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and Club World Cup.
He was also part of the Portugal side that won Euro 2016, captaining the side during the final victory over France following Cristiano Ronaldo's early withdrawal through injury.
Nani made 112 international appearances between 2006 and 2017 - making him the Selecao's fifth most-capped player, while he represented them at five major tournaments.
His club career was played across seven different countries - having also turning out for the likes of Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, Orlando City and Melbourne Victory, before finishing his career with a short stint at Primeira Liga side Estrela Amadora.
"The time has come to say goodbye, I have decided to finish my career as a professional player," he posted on his social media channels.
"It's been an amazing ride and I wanted to thank every single person who has helped me and supported me through the highs and lows during a career which lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories.
"Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams."
Brook labelled as 'best in the world' by England centurion Root
Joe Root lauded Harry Brook as the world's best batter after England completed their series victory away to New Zealand on Sunday.
Ben Stokes' tourists coasted to a 323-run victory in the second Test against New Zealand, sealing an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
It looked like England could be in trouble in Wellington after slipping to 43-4 in the first innings, only for Brook's 123 and 66 from Ollie Pope dragging their side to 280 all out.
Brook now has seven centuries in just 10 Tests away from home, the most by any batter in his first 10 such outings outside of their home country.
Yorkshire and England team-mate Root believes there is no player better than Brook at present.
"Just been a great week, from the position we were in, to then manage to win the game by day three, just shows how well the boys played," Root said.
"That partnership from Popey and Brooky, who is in my eyes the best player in the world at the minute.
"He's got it all, he can absorb pressure and put it back on you. He is destructive against both pace and spin, to manage those conditions exceptionally well and play some great counter-attacking cricket."
Root compiled a 130-ball 106 in the second innings as Stokes' side hammered home their advantage, with Jacob Bethell adding 96, four more than opener Ben Duckett managed.
England great Root now has 36 centuries in Tests, the joint-fifth most by any batter, alongside India's Rahul Dravid.
He brought up three figures with a trademark ramp over New Zealand wicket-keeper Tom Blundell from the bowling of seamer Will O’Rourke.
Root admitted the shot was somewhat pre-meditated, having seen the hosts alter the field.
"It wasn't [at first pre-meditated], and then they brought third man up," Root added.
"I was like it's the new ball, they are more likely to go length than short. It's worth a gamble, it's worth the risk!"
Palmer surpasses Zola and could be Chelsea's greatest ever with title win, says Carragher
Cole Palmer has already surpassed Gianfranco Zola's exploits with Chelsea, and could write his name in Blues history if he guides them to the Premier League title.
That was the message from Jamie Carragher after Palmer's penalty double helped Enzo Maresca's side to an enthralling 4-3 comeback victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
Palmer has now scored from all of his 12 penalty attempts in the Premier League - the most in the competition's history without ever missing, after surpassing Yaya Toure's 11 spot-kick tally for Manchester City.
The England midfielder also has 50 goal involvements (33 goals, 17 assists) in just 48 Premier League games for Chelsea, a feat bettered by only three players.
Erling Haaland for Man City (39), Andy Cole for Newcastle United (43), and Mohamed Salah for Liverpool (46) are the only trio to reach that total in fewer appearances for a club in the competition.
Carragher believes Palmer has already secured Chelsea stardom, though further glory could await for the Man City academy product.
"When you think of Chelsea's flair players like Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard, I think Palmer has done more in 18 months than Zola did, and Zola is one of Chelsea's greatest ever players," the former Liverpool defender said on Sky Sports.
"He's on the same level as Hazard, and that came over four or five years. If he takes Chelsea to a title then he'd go down as one of their greatest ever players if he keeps doing what he's doing. He's a special player."
Maresca's band of young talent sit just four points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, whose game on Saturday against Everton was postponed due to inclement weather.
There was a storm of a different nature at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, however, as Chelsea fought from 2-0 down to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Enzo Fernandez and Jadon Sancho were both on target, along with Palmer's cool spot-kick heroics, highlighting the plethora of quality on offer to Maresca.
Carragher refuses to accept the Blues' early success as a rags-to-riches story, though.
"This Chelsea team is no underdog story," the former Liverpool defender added. "This is a team that has spent £1.2billion, but what they're doing this season is something totally unexpected.
"This club are right in the mix for a title challenge."
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