The Latest MLB Scandals

Who says that Major League baseball is boring? Why, it's facing not pen but two major scandals. One of them is so serious that the FBI might just come a'callin. It seems that the St. Louis Cardinals may have hacked into the Houston Astros database; Washington certainly needs to look into that. Meanwhile, Kansas City Royals fans are stuffing the ballot, leading to the prospect that seven of the eight non-pitching starters for the American League will be from the confines of Kauffman Stadium.

That second issue ultimately is silly. It is just a ballgame, and an exhibition one at that. Still, that doesn't mean that the integrity of the sport and some of its fans shouldn't be subject to question. MLB will have to address this issue on those matters alone. But at least KC ballot box stuffing isn't likely to result in real injury.

Not so much perhaps the violation of Houston's property. Theft of confidential information, especially in a competitive field (yes, we do like the irony of such phrasing; we're far too proud of it in fact), does matter. Millions of dollars are at stake, and not necessarily among only the rich owners and players. Who knows how much money could be lost among the ticket sellers, vendors and all, if a team gains an advantage from ill gotten gains. We're not being snarky here: this would be a serious crime if true. Being that it involves interstate commerce questions. If not the Feds, the situation merits that somebody investigate.

Sports are too important in our culture. In the whole world, really, considering the FIFA scandal which has interested even American officials. We've said as much ourselves, and stand by it. Yet when money is involved, the immediate circumstances take precedence over any arguably ideal situation. Not so much if at all with Kansas City rooters, to be sure. With the Cardinals' alleged actions something should be done.