PUBLIC NOTICE:

                                             DEPOSE THE ASTROS

The Commissioner of Major League Baseball has engaged in a cover up to minimize fallout over the sign-stealing scandal.  His report is biased (as favorable to baseball) because it is based on a limited investigation that netted limited findings and only scant institutional clean up.  No doubt team owners were only too glad to comply with the Commissioner’s directive to say nothing about the scandal publicly.  

 Conducting a full-scale investigation now is crucial.  What’s the difference between a team stealing signs and one player throwing a game to win a bet (except that this team scheme was coordinated and institutional)?  

The MLB should file suit now against the Astros.  This will allow every member of that organization, from uniform washers to the CEO, to be subpoenaed and deposed (questioned under oath).  Cleaning a wound, no matter how painful, is often the most important part of healing. What was the actual nature and extent of the practice?  Was it a trash can or devises that vibrated under jerseys, or both, or something more? Throwing a few mid-level managers under the bus after an inadequate inquiry only masks the problem.  When confronted by reporters, Bregman hid behind the report, like all of Major League Baseball.        

If sign-stealing became a common occurrence down in Houston, no matter how much it may have actually affected game outcomes – whether in a World Series or at other times – the Astros should be deposed (dethroned) as World Champs.  Only punishment befitting the crime will discourage future forms of institutional cheating.      

This means players should be punished too.  Are they really going to take the field in April under so dark a cloud?  Pete Rose wonders.  

So do we.  MLB, please step up and get to the bottom of things.  Anything less offends the public trust.

Photo credit:  ICON SPORTSWIRE VIA GETTY IMAGES