America’s pastime disgraced Astros scandal

Regarding “They’re out,” (A1, Jan. 14): I feel like I’ve lost a member of the family. Nancy Neill Bradley, Houston

Regarding “Caught stealing,” (C1, Jan. 14): Even if A.J. Hinch and Jeff Luhnow knew that sign-stealing was going on and did nothing to curtail it, it’s hard to believe that either of them did the sign-stealing or were part of the communication that got the information from the sign-stealer to the batter in the box. So, who are the communicators and what is the sanction to be levied against them?

Since the beneficiaries of the stolen signs were the Astros players, isn’t it possible that most, if not every player on the Astros, were aware of what was going on? So, where is player liability for whatever was their level of guilt? I am unconvinced by arguments that players are protected by their union and therefore cannot be punished here.

If MLB wants to prevent something like this in the future from happening, I propose a “nuclear” option. There is precedent in sports for a league forcing an owner to dispose of his franchise. The NBA did this with the Clippers a few years back; MLB did this with the Phillies in the 1940s when the owner bet on his team’s games; and the NFL at least nudged the former owner of the Panthers to sell his team about two years ago. So, how about MLB making it a rule that any team caught doing this sort of stuff in the future will require the owner to sell or dispose of his franchise? Mike Ganis, Houston

Regarding “They’re out,” (A1, Jan. 14): As a nearly lifelong lover of Major League Baseball and as a longtime Pittsburgh Pirates season ticket holder, I am thoroughly disgusted by our having learned of the Houston Astros’ persistent cheating, and I am pleased that the league and the team took decisive action. The suspensions of the manager and general manager are warranted as was the Astros’ subsequent firing of manager A. J. Hinch, who could not have returned to the game without being forever sullied and shamed by his actions. Had he remained with the team, he could expect to be introduced to a chorus of boos wherever he went on the road, as fans have long memories for those who dishonor our sport. The Astros have skillfully built the team into one of the most dominating, one which is packed with talent. There was no need or justification for them to seek to artificially enhance their ability to win, and having done so disgraces the sport and the Astros’ great and loyal fans, who have my empathy. Let us hope that the punishment dispensed to a team led by dishonorable people will cause others to think twice before engaging in action that disgraces America’s pastime. Oren Spiegler, McMurray, Pennsylvania