This isn’t about deflating footballs.
This isn’t about taping somebody’s walk-through or sideline calls.
This isn’t about scuffing, corking, spitting, filing or exercising any of the other performing arts that fall under the heading “gamesmanship.”
The Cardinals stand accused of corporate espionage or some derivative thereof. The allegation comes from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has spent much of a year investigating a breach of the Houston Astros’ database in early 2014. The Cardinals and Major League Baseball have been subpoenaed. Baseball’s model franchise is now swimming in the deep end of scandal.
The New York Times broke the story Tuesday morning, catching Cardinals manager Mike Matheny and the club’s entire media relations apparatus off guard.