February 8th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard the phrase “It’s only illegal if you get caught” during my 36-year law enforcement career. Ironically, this phrase was most often uttered by people who had, in fact, been caught.
The Houston Astros have been caught.
And though the crime for which Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and field manager A.J. Hinch were suspended by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred (and subsequently fired by Astros owner Jim Crane) may not be punishable by imprisonment in state or federal prison or in the county jail, or fined, (the textbook definition of a crime), they are every bit as guilty as was Charles Manson.
…as was every member of the Houston Astros organization – up to and including owner Jim Crane. (Oh, the irony).
On Friday night, a Wall Street Journal article written by Jared Diamond hit social media, this following his very thorough investigation into the Astros sign-stealing scandal. Diamond’s article immediately sent the baseball world into an absolute frenzy. And you’ll never guess who is every bit as guilty as Jeff Ludlow, A.J. Hinch, and Jim Crane; none other than MLB commissioner Rob Manfred himself.
Although MLB’s 10th commissioner may not have actually been involved in Houston’s sign-stealing scandal, his own investigation into baseball’s darkest moment since the Black Sox scandal of 1919 revealed that the cheating scheme used by the Astros had been developed by an intern in the Astros front office. According to documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal, the scheme was nicknamed “Codebreaker.” Those involved – which includes the entire Astros front office and every player on the Astros 2017 roster – was referred to as “dark arts.”
So how is Manfred culpable in this nightmare, you ask?
Good question.
The WSJ investigation revealed that Manfred had sent a letter to Luhnow on January 2, 2020 that outlined the results of the league’s three-month-long investigation into the sign-stealing scandal. This letter was sent about a week and a half before MLB announced its punishment imposed on the Astros, which resulted in year-long suspensions for Luhnow and Hinch, a fine, and loss of draft picks. However, those who actually utilized the cheating tactics – the Astros players themselves – were not punished as part of an immunity deal for their cooperation, which was orchestrated by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). In other words, it isn’t a crime even if you do get caught.
Where all of this is going is that despite the overwhelming evidence that the entire Astros organization is as guilty as the day is long, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred still refuses to vacate the Astros 2017 World Series championship which, quite frankly, makes him every bit as guilty as Luhnow, Hinch, and everyone else in the Astros organization. And even though Manfred may have had absolutely nothing to do with “Codebreaker” or “dark arts,” he should, at the very least, be removed from Major League Baseball’s highest office.
Shortly after the Wall Street Journal story broke (and a subsequent story by Yahoo Sports’ Mike Oz), yours truly posted this on Twitter:
As you can see, at the time of this writing, there were 41 Replies, 120 Retweets and nearly 800 Likes to it. (These numbers have increased significantly since). In other words, I most certainly am not the only one disappointed (angry) at Rob Manfred for not doing the right thing, which is stripping the Astros of their 2017 World Series championship title.
Shortly after my tweet, former MLB manager and longtime Dodgers color commentator Kevin Kennedy posted this on Twitter:
And shortly after that, current Dodgers Spanish broadcaster Pepe Yñiguez posted this reply to Kennedy’s tweet (SIC):
As we used to say in my previous line of work: “I rest my case.”
* * * * * *
Posted in 
@KevinKennedyMLB @PepeYniguez Good job on this Ron. Just when we all thought things couldn’t get worse-it did.
Excellent Article!
Yes, In MLB “it isn’t a crime even if you do get caught”. It’s really rather stunning what a light tap on the wrist the Astros organization received for this well thought out and planned cheating conspiracy. Sickening.
I wonder if the Astros owner gave Luhnow and Hinch a HUGE well deserved bonus on the way out the door. This scandal rips apart another old saying, “crime doesn’t pay”. MLB has shown us crime does pay and very well.
I can’t believe this fraud perpetrated on millions isn’t “punishable by imprisonment in state or federal prison or in the county jail”. As a 36 yr law enforcement officer, I’d appreciate your thoughts on that.
Lastly, I don’t know the effect of MLB’s antitrust exemption granted to them back in the 1920s, but if it’s still any kind of benefit, it should be stripped from them.
VACATE THE CHAMPIONSHIP
All I will say, at the moment, is this was a very interesting article.
Well reasoned look at tge meat of the facts.
I have been posting that the team(s) involved needs titles vacated and a minimum ban of 2yrs from post season play.
I too consider lifetime bans appropriate. This was every bit as bad,and actually worse than BlackSox matter.
The Houston organization cheated the entire league. Has it been revealed how long the scheme was in place? Logic would seem to require at least part regular season in order to “practice”. That pretty much means they cheated every opponent they played while refining their “craft”.
MLB’s ridiculously weak “punishment” is pretty much a wink and a nod to say “no worry boys, we got your backs”. That takes me back to the position of suspension from post season for 2-4yrs, vacated title to remain empty, loss of all draft picks for 5yrs, no trades and def no FA signing for same 3-5yrs. I stop short of disbanding the team as most of the players had, at minimum guilty knowledge. If people feel guilty knowledge is thought to be not guilty just dig up Shoeless Joe and ask him how it worked out. I don’t accept the whole idea of not reporting any violations of rules in ANY profession including the “thin blue line”.
Baseball is immune from many legal consequences thanks to their antitrust exemption. These was an actual crime in the real world…conspiracy to defraud, collusion, perhaps some variation on racketeering, actual felony fraud and I’m sure many others. I think MLB is getting lucky that congress has been very busy with far more serious matters. But if MLB fails to police their own, someone in congress will take a look at holding their iwn investigation into removing that invaluable exemption.
There are sooooo many layers here. Heck even the Betts trade by BoSox smells. Boston may also be on the bubble of sanctions. So they are trying, read being allowed to by Manfred, sell & restock before being blocked via stronger penalties. Naw, we already know the MLB powers have, well none as they are totally impotent.
Last if it’s true the MLBPA demanded immunity, then the are also guilty. At least via extortion. It would also say to me the Players Association does not care about the game. Funny as this action has me more ready to just stop following the game anymore…it has been reduced to the bottom feeder wrestling crap that passes as “sports entertainment”… meh, another rant for another time.
sorry for venting – your great look at this wound my butt up i guess, thanks!
Vacate the World Series title, the AL Pennant, and the AL West title (2017/2018).
Get serious about investigating them for 2019.
Folks there is ONE who is not pleased at all with what the Astros and that ONE is GOD.. the Lord knows full well what the Astros did and they were in violation of one of His 10 Commandments… ‘Thou shalt not steal’
Manfred has been a chump since he slapped Gurriel on the wrist (the following season) for his blatantly racist gesture towards Darvish in the 2017 WS. Gurriel probably even knew what pitch was coming in light of this whole crock of BS. Every unpunished player on the Astros should expect a fastball in the ear from every single team around the league. Manfred chumped it up and is leaving it to the players to exact their own justice. Zero regret or apologies from Asstros players and they’re keeping their rings. Too bad he won’t be in batter’s box for a few high hard ones. Disgusting.