Did Dave Roberts' Helpful Advice Cross Competitive Lines?

Early in March, after Manager of the Year Joe Girardi had been fired by the Marlins, the fans and media were still seething over the report that Phillies pitcher Jon Lieber credited advice from Girardi as the turning point to Lieber's season. Naturally there is a conflict of interest between Girardi helping out an intra-divisional pitcher whom his team would face later in the season. That's why I was so surprised at what I read over the weekend. According to the Riverside Press-Enterprise, Giants outfielder Dave Roberts gave pitcher Brett Tomko advice even though Tomko pitches for the rival Dodgers.

And he has used a new delivery inspired by a discussion over dinner with Giants outfielder Dave Roberts, a fellow San Diego-area resident, about how hitters were seeing the ball all too well against him.

The immediate question that must follow is whether or not Dave Roberts crossed a line in tipping his friend, who happens to pitch for a hated rival. Think about it -- do you see the players in the final showdown at the World Series of Poker tell each other their bluffs after they've finished? Of course not -- they know they'll meet at some point in the future and want to keep that privileged information to themselves. So what do you think, is it OK for Roberts to give a tidbit to his buddy, or does that cross the line of competition? I think Giants fans already know the answer.

Previously at FanHouse:
Add Title of Benedict Arnold to Joe Girardi's Resume