It'll be very interesting to see how the Commissioner's Office responds to the FBI's findings. While I don't believe espionage is new to MLB, this is the first case of it reaching the public (and federal government) that I can think of.
Since they're no longer in the same division as the Astros, it's a bit less of a penalty, but I'd say every game since the initial breach against the Astros should be forfeited. Additionally, any draft picks during that time should be awarded to the Astros. (not the actual players, but that means they owe the Astros N first round picks, etc)
Probably not going to go down like that, but it's a matter of punishment, as well as compensating the team that was the victim. (I'm from Houston, so probably biased)
It's lucky for them that Bill DeWitt Jr. chaired the search committee who hired the new commissioner. (Shades of Goldman Sachs' perennial association with the Treasury Department...)
However, if the Cardinals are as smart (and perhaps as ethical?) as they previously seemed, they'll get out in front of this, and voluntarily give up their 2013 pennant, as well as fire whoever was involved in this harebrained scheme.
I'm a Cardinals fan, I admit it, but that's basically an insane suggestion. It's not going to happen and it's not smart. Why in the world do you think that would be smart?
For one thing, they've got a better team this year, and it's possible they'll be forced to skip the playoffs this year. Then they don't get to sell those tickets, they don't get that chance at a World Series, etc.
Give up a 2013 pennant? Let me guess, you're a Dodgers fan.
Until there are details on what was done and by whom the Cards should do nothing more than fully cooperate with the investigation. Then and only then should the Cards and MLB decide how to respond.
Haha as might be clear from my myriad other posts on this topic, inasmuch as I am a fan of anything baseball-related, I am a Cardinals fan, as generations of my family have been. Because I've lived in Los Angeles, I have especially enjoyed their regular poundings of the Dodgers. I'm not saying that the Dodgers should get the pennant by default. (Would they even want it?) Rather, it should simply not exist.
Fanhood notwithstanding, this is really bad. Unless the FBI finds that someone planted a device on the network of the house that originated the ill-advised logins, someone has to burn for this. (I guarantee that Mike Matheny feels the same way.) It's not quite at the level of Pete Rose (who really ought to be forgiven by now) or the Black Sox, but like those cases it completely undermines the integrity of the sport. I used to be impressed by the Cardinals' great farm system, and I felt it indicated something about Midwestern thrift, practicality, and eccentricity. I don't feel that way anymore.
I used to be impressed by the Cardinals' great farm system, and I felt it indicated something about Midwestern thrift, practicality, and eccentricity. I don't feel that way anymore.
Well, ironically, that system was built by Luhnow, so I think you're allowed to continue feeling that way :)
