Atlanta Braves the day after the scandal

Culpability

Gondee and others tweeted that John Hart, John Schuerholz and even Terry McGuirk should have seen the violations and intervened.  Perhaps but I’m not sure he allowed them to see as much as most believe.

I remember Iran-Contra when everyone thought Oliver North’s shenanigans had to have a blessing from above. As a military man I can tell you that’s not necessarily true. Things happen and actions are taken because of perceived authority as often as actual authority.

Coppy didn’t go to Hart for permission to do every little thing, he just did them. Hart may end up going as well. the boss is always culpable even if he didn’t know. After all he promoted him in the first place.

This is not a defense of Hart or JS, it’s just fact. If you trust your subordinates you give them latitude to do their job. Wren micromanaged the Braves to dysfunction. When the regime changed that changed as well.

Coppy’s early moves went well and after a year in the shadows he was promoted to GM. His success gave him credibility which in turn gave him more autonomy. It’s easy to say that shouldn’t happen but Coppy never went to Hart and said I’m going to bribe someone; he just did it.

His arrogance, stubbornness and belief that he was above the rules or too smart to get caught stained and probably ended John Hart’s career. He should be ashamed of that but somehow I doubt he is.