For me, it’s that they went outside the players and coaches that were on the field or in the dugout. If your cheating scheme relies on people in the stands or the video room or whatever, it crosses the line. I’d consider a video camera to be the same - they’re not on the field of play or operated by players or coaching staff. Using them to cheat is going too far. If it can’t be done by the guys in uniform while they’re in uniform, it’s outside the acceptable realm.
Eh. That makes a convincing case that it's different. I don't know about worse.
Like, the game over the last decade has seen teams spending millions of dollars to get the most advanced analytical information they can possibly get which is then put into manager's hands in whatever form they want so that they can make decisions on where to precisely position each defensive player on every pitch against every particular hitter but a guy in the bleachers trying to steal signs is a bridge too far in terms of off-field influence on the game?
I'm not disagreeing, exactly, obviously an ethical or moral question has no right or wrong answer and I understand and agree with the idea that what the Astros did should be against the rules and I'd be fine with the team receiving a much harsher penalty than they did. I just can't get worked up over it is all.
