MLB got it right with punishing cheaters

[feltdizz]

The 2 guys who stole signals using the replay booth and some elaborate system that involved banging on a trash can got a 1 year suspension and the Astros were fined 5 million dollars and lost their first 2 draft picks for the next 2 years.

Aston ended up firing both guys.

Boston is also up next because they also stole signals during their WS season.


Why can’t Goodell act in this manner when dealing with the Pats? He had no problem suspending Sean Payton for 1 year over bounty gate.

[Buzz]

For some reason, Kraft has Goodell by the balls.

I actually think MLB should have vacated the Red Sox and Astros titles, just as I think the Patriots should've had to vacate their earlier titles. To me, that's the only way you really deal effectively with this crap. I mean, all these cheaters are still considered champions in their cheating seasons. Someone who badly wants a title may still think it's worth it to cheat to get it.

[feltdizz]

I’m not a fan of vacating titles..

the celebrations and joy can’t be erased from your memory IMO.

I think the best way is stiff fines, severe punishment and an asterisk besides those championships.

Pat fans can brag all they want about their rings but we know they are some cheats and everyone I know online who is a Pats fan won’t touch the conversation.

[Steel Maniac]

For some reason, Kraft has Goodell by the balls.

I actually think MLB should have vacated the Red Sox and Astros titles,

In this case, considering it was the Dodgers who were cheated both times out of World Series Titles, I think one of those championships needs to be given to the Dodgers.

You want to stop wrong doing? Fine them (heavily..not some bull crap 5 mil) and take away first & second round draft picks for 4 years and strip them of those Championships. That would be an effective deterrent to this crap.

And Alex Cora needs to be kicked out of baseball permanently. For going above and beyond by taking his cheating behavior from one team to the other.

[NorthCoast]

Biggest deterrent... make them ineligible for the postseason for 4 years. Have to play a full 16 game season with no hope for a title.

[Ghost]

If you aren't cheating, you aren't trying...

[Buzz]

I’m not a fan of vacating titles..

Then they win. They are the champions, even though they cheated. Since you play for championships, it was worth it in the end.

the celebrations and joy can’t be erased from your memory IMO.

Maybe not, but I'd think the "celebrations" and the "joy" would take a little bit of a hit when you saw that empty spot in the trophy case, with a marker that said "removed for cheating."

I think the best way is stiff fines, severe punishment and an asterisk besides those championships.

What's 5 million dollars in comparison with a MLB or NFL title? Did losing those draft picks significantly hamper the Patriots? Is it really going to hamper the Astros or Red Sox that much? I don't think so. And, last time I checked, there is no "asterisk" next to any of those titles in the record books. Pats, who cheated, officially have 6 super bowl wins, just like the Steelers, who didn't.

[Buzz]

In this case, considering it was the Dodgers who were cheated both times out of World Series Titles, I think one of those championships needs to be given to the Dodgers.

You want to stop wrong doing? Fine them (heavily..not some bull crap 5 mil) and take away first & second round draft picks for 4 years and strip them of those Championships.

Fully with you on this. When we were kids, in school, if one of us got an "A" on an exam and it was found out we cheated, you'd better believe they didn't let us keep that grade. The teachers I had would give us an "F" for that test. Why should it be any different with pro sports?

[whatever]

I wonder if cheating is more widespread in the NFL and that's why when stuff is discover and the public is made aware of it, it isn't punished that hard.

[Steel Maniac]

Biggest deterrent... make them ineligible for the postseason for 4 years. Have to play a full 16 game season with no hope for a title.

Damn!!! Boom!!............

[Steel Maniac]

Fully with you on this. When we were kids, in school, if one of us got an "A" on an exam and it was found out we cheated, you'd better believe they didn't let us keep that grade. The teachers I had would give us an "F" for that test. Why should it be any different with pro sports?

And what about the Dodgers??? You do things the right way, get cheated twice out of World Series Championships and your not compensated by atleast being awarded one? What are you telling people who do things the right way?

Just as you punish the cheaters, you should compensate the one who were robbed.

[feltdizz]

What would a championship do for the Dodgers fans?

Would they have a parade?

A banner?

Even of they got rings and a trophy.. they won’t have that feeling you get when you rush the field and the world sees you raise the trophy.

No beer baths and locker room celebrations.. it’s over.

I think they vacated a few
championships in college basketball. Does anyone remember who or what team “won” even tho they lost the game?

[Buzz]

What would a championship do for the Dodgers fans?

Would they have a parade?

A banner?

Even of they got rings and a trophy.. they won’t have that feeling you get when you rush the field and the world sees you raise the trophy.

No beer baths and locker room celebrations.. it’s over.

I think they vacated a few
championships in college basketball. Does anyone remember who or what team “won” even tho they lost the game?

No doubt, it would not be the same as winning the title outright ... still, seems like a better solution than allowing the cheaters to keep laying claim to (and celebrating) a title.

I think that, rather than declaring the runner-up as the champion, I would just prefer to just vacate the league title for that year, with a note that says, "Removed due to cheating."

[feltdizz]

No doubt, it would not be the same as winning the title outright ... still, seems like a better solution than allowing the cheaters to keep laying claim to (and celebrating) a title.

I think that, rather than declaring the runner-up as the champion, I would just prefer to just vacate the league title for that year, with a note that says, "Removed due to cheating."

yeah. I guess I have no problem if they left those years blank or had a footnote next to them.

I don’t see how vacating titles would stop anyone from cheating. You still get the revenue, parade, contract extensions, new jobs, bonuses, etc.

I prefer stiff fines, lost draft picks for multiple years, season suspensions and shame.

[Starlifter]

bottom line, the punishment has to hurt so much no one even thinks of trying it again. moreover, cheating attacks the integrity of the game and everything becomes moot if viewership dramatically declines. if you're not prepared to take draconian steps now, the problem will never go away.

For myself - I gave up on baseball 30 years ago. This weeks revelations didn't surprise me at all - it's likely just the tip of the iceberg.