Sports

First the Patriots, Now the Cardinals Feeling Fans’ Wrath

Published

11 years ago

June 18, 2015

In this Oct. 28, 2015, file photo, taken with a fisheye lens, St. Louis Cardinals take batting practice before Game 5 of baseball’s World Series against the Boston Red Sox in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI (AP) — Mocking t-shirts are available online. Deprecating jokes are making the rounds. Social media is saturated with derogatory lines about the latest embarrassing predicament involving a model sports franchise.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots? Nope. Football deflation is old news. This time, one of baseball’s top teams is the bull’s-eye of caustic tweets and gloating posts.

The St. Louis Cardinals have some explaining to do. And some ribbing to take — good-natured and otherwise.

Revelations that federal authorities are investigating whether the 11-time World Series champs hacked into another team’s database have provided an opening for those who enjoy seeing a successful team put in an awkward spot.

“Just like the Patriots, I feel,” said Jack Sauter, a White Sox fan from DeKalb, Illinois, attending Chicago’s game against Pittsburgh on Wednesday night. “That really hurt them with Deflate-gate. They’re still feeling that.”

Yes, the spill across league divides. AL fans also have many reasons to dislike the Cardinals, who beat the Tigers to win the 2006 World Series and the Rangers to do it again in 2011.

“The Cardinals seemed to do everything right and now they got caught,” said Toby Grudzinskas, 52, a Tigers fan from New Boston, Michigan, attending an interleague game in Cincinnati. “They should be punished and made an example of.”

For now, they’re getting made fun of.

A company that sells Pittsburgh sports merchandise has added a shirt that reads: “99 Problems But The Feds Ain’t One.” Jokes are making the rounds, like the one about how the Cardinals are known for going up there hacking.

And the Cardinals’ boast that they have “the best fans in baseball” seems to rankle a little more.

“Obviously, the rivalry we have affects how I look at them, but they act like they’re better than everyone else because the Cardinals win a lot,” said James Battle, a 52-year-old Cubs fan wearing an Ernie Banks jersey to a game against the Indians. “If the hacking stuff is true, I hope baseball nails the organization. It would be great to see their fans get taken down a couple of notches.”

While fans simmer, the players shrug. That’s just the way it goes whenever a team that wins more than most get caught in a misstep.

“When there’s breaking news, fans are going to be on it like white on rice,” Reds third baseman Todd Frazier said. “That’s social media today. It’s going to blow up.”

Frazier understands where they’re coming from. He was an avid Red Sox fan growing up in New Jersey and would look for any reason to dislike the Yankees even more. As a player, he appreciates what it takes to win consistently like the Cardinals or the Patriots.

“People talk about the deflated ball, but you’ve got to practice, hit the weights, study,” Frazier said. “You appreciate the teams that win. Their legacies are going to go on forever.”

Same thing in the NFL, where the Patriots’ run of success hasn’t been diminished in the opinion of players who see more than a football’s air pressure at work.

“It’s unfortunate that some people like to throw shade on that and say, ‘Well, it’s just because of this,'” said Bengals offensive tackle Eric Winston, who is head of the players’ union. “I can tell you firsthand it’s not. I’ve seen how those guys work, how they operate. It’s the reason they’ve won so many games.”

In the Patriots’ case, it wasn’t their first time breaking a rule. The investigation of the Cardinals was unexpected news.

“I was very surprised to read it because the Cardinals are like the class act in the National League,” said Ed Liebelt, a Mets fan from Verona, New Jersey attending a game in Toronto. “They’re the Cadillac of the league.

“That’s the kind of cheesy stuff you’d expect from the Yankees, not from the Cardinals. It’s like ‘Really, the Cardinals?'”

___

AP sports writer Jon Krawczynski in Minneapolis and freelance writers Gary Schatz in Cincinnati, Ian Harrison in Toronto, Steve Herrick in Cleveland, Mark Perlman in Chicago, and Harvey Valentine in Washington contributed to this report.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Related Topics:MLB new england patriots NFL social media in sports St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals hacking St. Louis Cardinals scandal

Up Next

Warriors’ Group Mentality Makes Title a True Team Celebration

Don't Miss

Michael Oher Gives Negative Review to Effect ‘The Blind Side’ Has Had

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Alameda County

Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

4 weeks ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

8 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

11 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.