工會分裂:太空人作弊醜聞撼動MLB球員協會 - 美國職棒

來源: Sports Illustrated
網址: https://tinyurl.com/wv28ap2

A Union Divided: Astros Cheating Scandal Rocks MLB Players Association
工會分裂：太空人作弊醜聞撼動MLB球員協會

As each day passes, the electronic sign-stealing scandal in Major League
Baseball proves more irritating to those impacted by it. This is especially
true for players, who are all members of the same union, the Major League
Baseball Players Association. They have become increasingly willing to
publicly condemn fellow union members who played for the Astros in 2017 and
who engaged in a form of cheating that has elicited widespread disgust.
隨著日子每一天過去，大聯盟太空人偷暗號醜聞對於那些受到這醜聞所影響的人來說只顯
得愈發難耐。對於球員來說更是如此，因為他們都在同一個團體，大聯盟球員協會(Major
League Baseball Players Association)。他們已經逐漸比較願意公開出來指責協會裡那
些在2017年替太空人打球並且涉及某種程度的作弊行為的會員，這作弊行為已經造成許多
人對這樣行為的厭惡。

Astros players engineered a plot that mixed modern technology with crude
sounds. Players and team officials covertly placed a camera in the center
field area of Houston’s Minute Maid Park. The camera recorded opposing teams
’ catcher signals to the pitcher. It then transmitted images over to the
Astros’ replay room. The images revealed predictive patterns as to the
intended pitch type. The patterns were then shared with those in the Astros
dugout and conveyed to batters through coded bangs on a trash can. The plot
was so effective that the Astros won the 2017 World Series.
太空人用了一種方式，用現代科技加上很粗糙的聲音來進行他們的計畫。球員跟球團工作
人員偷偷的在太空人主場中外野裝上攝影機，攝影機則是錄下了對手捕手打給投手的暗
號，然後影像就會送到太空人的重播室。分析影像就會知道哪些暗號會是投手要投的球
種，然後這些資訊就會送到太空人休息區，然後就會有人負責把這些暗號用敲擊垃圾桶的
方式，讓打者知道。這計畫實在太成功，太空人拿下了2017年的世界大賽冠軍。

Revisiting the curious logic of Rob Manfred’s decision to not punish guilty
players
聯盟主席Rob Manfred決定不處罰球員的奇特邏輯

Despite Astros players’ guilt in what MLB has termed a mostly “player-driven
” scheme, commissioner Rob Manfred declined to punish any of the guilty
players. Manfred instead gave them immunity in exchange for their cooperation
and willingness to share information.
儘管在這個是"球員主導"的作弊事件上太空人球員是有罪的，聯盟主席Rob Manfred拒絕懲
罰任何一個有罪的球員。相反地，Manfred以他們願意合作並供出作弊內情給了他們免責。

This was surprising on at least four levels.
這在四個層面上來看很讓人驚訝。

First, the players were already obligated under the collective bargaining
agreement to “provide reasonable cooperation with an investigation,
including but not limited to producing documents and information.” It’s
true that players could have refused to cooperate and that, as a private
entity, MLB had no power to subpoena or compel disclosure. However, Manfred
could have punished players for failing to satisfy their contractual
obligation to cooperate. In other words, it wasn’t as if Manfred lacked
leverage.
第一，球員在球員團體協議裡是有義務要"在調查事件上，得要提供合理的合作，包括提供
文件跟訊息等"。沒錯，就個人方面，球員是可以拒絕合作的，聯盟沒有權力去傳喚球員硬
要他披露資訊。但是，Manfred大可以用他們違反合約拒絕合作的理由懲罰這些球員。換句
話說，Manfred不是沒有籌碼的。

Second, while Astros players could have challenged suspensions by filing
grievances, MLB generally doesn’t worry about the risk of grievances to such
a degree that it declines to punish rule-breaking players. MLB might have
prevailed in any grievances. The league would have needed to show the
punishments were reasonable, reasoned and in accordance with past practices.
Under the CBA, Manfred could have punished players for refusing to cooperate
in a league investigation. Alternatively, if MLB obtained sufficient evidence
to show that cheating had occurred, the CBA would have permitted Manfred to
punish players for “conduct detrimental or prejudicial to baseball.”
Furthermore, the uniform player contract compels players to “conform to high
standards of personal conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship.” There’s
no shortage of language that could be construed to cover cheating. Also,
while players might have argued there was insufficient notice that electronic
sign-stealing during the 2017 season would trigger player punishments, MLB
could counter by stressing 1) the “conduct detrimental” language in the CBA
authorizes such punishments; 2) by fining the Boston Red Sox and New York
Yankees for their electronic sign stealing in 2017, MLB made clear such
practices were unauthorized.
第二，或許當太空人球員對於被判球監跟聯盟提出申訴，聯盟一般說來不需要因為擔心球
員的抗議就不去處罰犯規的球員，更何況聯盟可能在這些申訴上都可能會獲勝。聯盟可以
對外展現出，就過去的案例上來看，這些處分都是合理的。有球員團體協議在，Manfred
就可以用球員拒絕聯盟調查處罰球員了。此外，若聯盟調查獲得足夠的證據證明作弊行為
發生，球員團體協議就會准許Manfred以"對棒球運動造成莫大傷害的行為"來處罰球員。再
加上，制式球員合約就要求球員要"個人行為要有高標準，誠實比賽以及良好運動家精
神"。此外，當球員或許可能抱怨在2017年賽季的偷暗號會導致處罰沒有先收到通知的話，
聯盟可以用這樣反制：1) 球員團體協議裡面"不當行為"就准許可以處罰球員；2) 2017年
對紅襪跟洋基使用電子器材偷暗號罰款的案例就已經說明，聯盟對於使用電子器材是不允
許的。

It’s also worth playing out the grievance scenario. Assume that MLB played
hardball (no pun intended) and either didn’t gain enough implicating
evidence from the players or the “absence of notice” defense noted above
persuaded the arbitrators. Then assume that MLB loses the grievances. The
league would have still made a good faith effort to hold players accountable,
something that the public and fans—who knew from journalists’ investigative
reporting that cheating had likely occurred—probably would have admired. In
that scenario MLB might have also more seriously considered alternative
punishments, such as stripping the Astros of the 2017 World Series.
另外也值得考慮的申訴狀況若發生的話，假設聯盟真的來硬的，要嘛沒從球員身上獲得足
夠的證據，或者球員用"未獲得告知"的理由說服了仲裁員，然後聯盟在申訴上輸掉。聯盟
還是可以用很多方式讓這些球員擔起責任，像是大眾或者粉絲們--那些從記者調查報
告上得知整個作弊事件是如何發生的--這些就會很受喜愛。而且在那狀況下，聯盟甚至也
可以認真考慮其他的處罰方式，像是拔掉太空人2017年的世界冠軍。

Third, MLB offered what might be regarded as an excessive reward to the
players for admitting to wrongdoing. The players were assured if that if they
revealed what happened, they’d avoid punishment altogether. This was an
important inflection point in MLB’s investigation and likely an unnecessary
step. The players essentially pleaded guilty and walked away scot-free. A
guilty plea normally means a reduced punishment, not no punishment.
第三，聯盟對於那些承認做錯事的球員給了太多的回饋。聯盟跟這些球員保證說若是他們
講了發生的狀況的話，他們都不會被處罰。那是聯盟在調查這事件上的轉折點，但是也可
能是不必要的作法。這些球員基本上就已經是認罪了，但是卻大搖大擺沒事。認罪通常代
表的是處罰會減輕，但是不是沒處罰。

Fourth, in law, prosecutors normally grant immunity to lower-level members of
a conspiracy with the expectation that they’ll implicate those higher up on
the food chain. Here, the players’ painted themselves as the main culprits.
Yet, counterintuitively, they escaped any and all repercussions.
第四，在法律上，檢查官通常會給在犯罪案件上比較低層的份子給予豁免，希望這些人可
以把高層的主謀給供出來。但是，在這個事件上，這些球員自己說他們是主導者，但是相
反地，他們卻沒有受到處分。

Only two former Astros officials—general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ
Hinch—received MLB punishments. Former bench coach Alex Cora will be
punished upon the completion of MLB's investigation into the Red Sox. Houston
was also fined and stripped of draft picks.
最後只有兩個太空人的工作人員--總管Jeff Luhnow跟教練AJ Hinch--被聯盟處罰，前板凳
教練Alex Cora則是會等到聯盟調查完紅襪之後處罰。太空人球團也被罰款，拔掉選秀簽。

The lack of player punishments has ignited player protests
沒給涉案球員處罰引起其他球員抗議

The absence of player accountability has sparked heated remarks by
rule-abiding MLB players. They believe that cheating players ought to have
been held responsible by Manfred and that they got away with crimes of the
sport.
沒讓涉案球員負起責任讓其他守規矩的球員開始爆出激烈的評論。他們認為主席Manfred應
該讓這些作弊球員擔起責任，但是他們卻逃過了處罰。

For instance, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout says that he has “
lost respect” for Astros batters. The best player in baseball, Trout can’t
hold in high regard any fellow sluggers who know which pitches are coming.
They are playing a different, and far easier, game.
譬如說，天使外野手Mike Trout說他不再尊敬太空人的打者了。聯盟最佳打者Trout對於那
些知道投手要投甚麼球的這些球員不再尊敬，因為他們打的比賽跟他不一樣，他們打的比
賽是太簡單的。

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman has also weighed in with a critical voice. He
is one of several players to publicly suggest that Astros players were
wearing electronic buzzers on their jerseys in 2017. Chapman stresses how “
disappointed” he was by the Astros’ misbehavior. He also laments how “a
lot of people have suffered” because of the cheating.
洋基守護神Aroldis Chapman也講了很重要的評論。他是幾位球員之一曾公開表示過2017年
太空人球員曾使用電子蜂鳴器在他們的球衣上。Chapman強調他對太空人的不當行為有多麼
失望，他也說很多人因為這樣的行為受了傷害。

More explosively, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger has
lambasted Manfred—MLB’s chief management officer—for doing something that
arguably advanced the interests of Bellinger’s union. By granting Astros
players immunity as an inducement to reveal their wrongdoing, Manfred
effectively excused the players of committing the underlying wrongs. From one
lens, this was a “win” for the MLBPA. Unions normally try to minimize
opportunities for management to severely punish employees. Here, the
employees weren’t punished at all.
更具爆炸性的是道奇一壘手Cody Bellinger砲轟Manfred，指責他做的事情損害了
Bellinger所在的球員協會。為了讓太空人球員講出實情而給了免責，Manfred就是讓這些
球員不用扛責任。從另外個角度來看，這或許是球員協會的"勝利"。因為工會們通常都是
要試著把他們的成員可能受懲罰的機率降到最低的，而在這次的事件，沒有一個工會成員
被處罰。

Yet Bellinger can’t believe that Manfred would offer his fellow union
members such a break. Bellinger stresses that “these guys were cheating for
three years.” He further denounces Astros second baseman José Altuve,
saying he “stole” the 2017 American League MVP award from Yankees
outfielder Aaron Judge. Bellinger likewise insists that Altuve and his
teammates—who defeated in the Dodgers in the 2017 World Series—“stole the
ring” from Bellinger and his teammates.
但是Bellinger不敢相信Manfred會給他的其他這些工會同伴們這樣的對待。Bellinger強調
說"這些人已經這樣騙了三年"，他更指責太空人二壘手José Altuve，說他偷走了原本應
該屬於洋基外野手Aaron Judge的2017年美聯MVP。Bellinger也堅持說Altuve跟他的隊友--
2017年世界大賽擊敗道奇--說他們"偷走了原本屬於他跟他的隊友們的戒指"。

As player-on-player tensions escalate, Astros manager Dusty Baker has
publicly pleaded for league protection from so-called “premeditated
retaliation.” This feared retaliation refers to opposing teams’ pitchers
throwing beanballs and even head-hunting Astros batters. In response, Manfred
has stressed that such dangerous moves would lead to severe sanctions. If
only Manfred had punished the guilty players, perhaps the desire of
rule-abiding players to exact revenge would be muted.
隨著球員之間的對立升高，太空人教練Dusty Baker公開請求聯盟要保護球員避免受到所謂
的"蓄意報復"。所謂的報復指的是對手投手會對太空人打者丟觸身球甚至是打到頭的球，
而Manfred對此的回覆是強調這些危險行為會導致嚴重的處分。若是Manfred已經處罰這些
涉案球員的話，這些守規矩球員想要執行報復的想法或許就會消失了。

A union divided
工會分裂

As spring training begins, players are rebuking each other in national media
interviews and using social media and other public forums to discredit and
ridicule one another’s achievements. They are also lashing out against the
commissioner for being too lenient on fellow players. Meanwhile, the
commissioner has issued a protective order so that vengeance-seeking players
don’t try to imperil the health of other players.
隨著春訓展開，球員們開始在全國媒體訪問上或者是社群媒體上互相貶低彼此的成就。他
們也對主席砲轟，說他對於太空人球員太寬容。在此同時，主席則是發出保護令，要求那
些想要報仇的球員不要去傷害其他球員的身體安全。

This is a very strange state of affairs for the MLBPA.
對於球員協會來說現在是個很奇怪的狀態。

Historically, the MLBPA has been the most influential and unified players’
union in American sports. This is, after all, the same MLBPA that has gone on
strike five times over the last five decades, including a 232-day strike
between 1994 and 1995. And it’s the same MLBPA that fought hard for the
right to free agency, all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1972 and in
subsequent arbitration hearings. It also stood together in solidarity when
players were accused of using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs
in the 1990s and 2000s.
從歷史上來看，大聯盟球員協會是美國運動界裡最有影響力也是最團結的團體。畢竟，大
聯盟球員協會在過去50年就發動過5次罷工，1994-1995曾經罷工了232天。在1972年，這團
體也曾經為了爭取球員的FA資格一路上到了美國最高法院以及之後的仲裁聽證會。在1990
年代以及2000年時期當時球員被指控使用類固醇以及其他PED藥物時，這團體始終團結在一
起。

This is, at its core, a union that deeply values loyalty and communicating
via a shared voice.
這協會的中心價值是非常重視忠誠，對外溝通都是用一致的口徑。

That legacy could be wilting under the bright lights of a sign-stealing
scandal that delegitimizes the 2017 and 2018 seasons. And the timing couldn’
t worse for MLBPA. It needs to negotiate a new CBA with MLB before the
current one expires Dec. 1, 2021. The negotiations will take place over the
next year. Under the leadership of executive director Tony Clark, the MLBPA
must have a united front or it will be disadvantaged at the bargaining table.
隨著這次偷暗號事件導致2017跟2018賽季的合法性降低，這協會的傳奇可能會逐漸消退，
而且發生的真不是時候。在2021年12月1號之前，他們得要在現在團體協議失效前跟聯盟協
商出新的團體協議。整個協商會在明年開始，現在的協會是由Tony Clark領導，所以球員
協會必須要團結一致，不然在談判桌上就會落入下風。

Unpacking the current role of the MLBPA in the controversy and relevant labor
law principles
分析目前球員協會在此事件的角色以及相關的勞工法律原則

There are two related questions that the MLBPA must answer: (1) what, if
anything, should it do regarding the scandal?; and (2) what is in the best
interests of the union’s membership: protecting players who cheated or
vindicating those who suffered because of the cheating?
兩個問題球員協會得要面對的：1)在與作弊案件上協會有甚麼應該做的？；2)甚麼是對於
協會成員最好的：是保護作弊的球員還是要替那些因為在作弊裡面受傷害的球員發聲？

There aren’t obvious answers to these questions. As a union, the MLBPA must
adhere to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRA imposes a duty of
fair representation on a union to act fairly and impartially with respect to
all of its members. If an employee believes that his or her union has
violated this duty, the employee can file an unfair labor practice charge
with the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB, which is a federal agency
that enforces labor law, would then investigate such a charge. That dynamic
could surface here if an MLB player credibly believed that the MLBPA was not
treating him fairly relative to other players.
這沒有簡單的答案。身為工會，大聯盟球員協會得要遵守美國勞工法(NLRA)。NLRA要求工
會得要負起公平的代表他們每個成員的的責任。若是有成員認為工會沒有負起責任的話，
他/她就可以向全國勞工關係會提起訴訟，而身為執行勞工法的聯邦組織，全國勞工關係會
就會開始調查。所以現在就看是否有某個大聯盟球員認為球員協會沒有公平的對待他了。

As detailed by Indiana University Mauer School of Law professor Deborah
Widiss, unions are also required to maximize benefits for the collective
membership. This pursuit can mean that certain members are disadvantaged by a
collective gain. For instance, if the MLBPA agreed to add the designated
hitter to National League games, players as a whole might gain financially.
Fans, in that scenario, could become more interested in watching National
League games that feature more offense. That, in turn, could lead to higher
attendance and superior TV ratings. Also, a DH in the National League would
create new jobs for players who are skilled batters but who are defensively
challenged. However, certain players—particularly pitchers who are
relatively good at batting—might lose out if the National League adopts the
DH.
依據Indiana University法學教授Deborah Widiss所說，工會也是被要求要替所有成員獲
取最大的利益。所以，這代表了為了團體的利益，會對某些成員有一些不利的影響。譬如
說，若是球員協會同意在國聯也加入DH，整體球員可能會在財務上有更多的報酬。在那狀
況下，粉絲也可能會對看國聯比賽比較有興趣，因為攻擊力的增加。因此，入場人數也會
增加，收視率也會上升。此外，國聯使用DH也會替那些有打擊能力但是防守較差的球員創
造工作機會。不過，某些球員--尤其是那些打擊不錯的投手--可能就會因為國聯開始使用
DH後喪失了優勢。

Unions also tend to pursue certain types of strategies in their relationship
with management. One common strategy is to limit opportunities for employers
to fine, suspend or fire employees. To the extent an employer intends to
punish an employee, a union typically demands that there be procedural
checks. A common check is for an arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators to
review a significant punishment. Alternatively, management might be required
to punish in accordance with the concept of “progressive discipline.”
Progressive discipline captures the idea that an employee ought to receive a
lighter punishment for a first offense and only more onerous punishments for
subsequent offenses.
在勞工關係處理上，工會也常常使用某些策略。常見的策略是減少成員被罰款，停職或是
被開除的機會。當雇主要決定處罰員工到何種程度時，工會通常都會要求要照程序走。常
見的程序是要求要有仲裁人員來審視這些重大的處分。另外，處理勞工關係的方式也被要
求要有循序漸進的處置。所謂的循序漸進指的是當員工要被處罰時，首次可以用較輕的處
罰，要在連續犯錯之後才能給較嚴重的處分。

As a related consideration, it might have undermined MLBPA’s bargaining
leverage with MLB if Clark—the head of the union—had encouraged Manfred—
the head of management—to punish MLBPA members. While some players would
have been glad to see the cheaters held accountable, those punishments would
have set new precedent for player punishments. Manfred could have used that
precedent going forward.
因此，若是工會主席Clark鼓勵Manfred去處罰工會成員的話，這可能會讓球員協會在跟
MLB協商時喪失了一些籌碼。當一些球員因為看到作弊者被處罰會很開心時，這些處罰就成
為將來要做處罰的先例。之後Manfred就可以援用這些案例直接處理。

In addition, if the MLBPA felt that Manfred lacked the authority to punish
players suspected of cheating—as I note above, I believe Manfred had this
authority provided there was sufficient evidence—it would have arguably
permitted Manfred to punish its members beyond the scope of the CBA. In his
capacity as head of the union, Clark is charged with ensuring that Manfred
only uses powers contained in the CBA. A CBA reflects labor and management
negotiating and trading off terms. Unions tend to do better if management
must offer improved workplace benefits in exchange for obtaining new powers.
Unions tend to do worse if management unilaterally obtains powers without
giving up anything in return.
此外，如果我之前所說，我認為依照目前的證據來看，Manfred有權力可以處罰這些球員
的，但是若球員協會覺得Manfred沒有處罰涉嫌作弊球員的權力的話，這就可以說這將會允
許Manfred以超過團體協議的範圍之外方式來懲處他們的工會成員。身為工會主席，Clark
所賦予的責任是確保Manfred只能使用團體協議裡的內容來做懲處，團體協議所代表的是員
工跟雇主協商後的妥協條款。若是雇主提供改善工作環境以獲取更多的權力，工會會做的
比較好。但是若是雇主單方面獲得更多的權力卻沒有提供其他的東西給勞方，工會的表現
會比較差。

Figuring out MLBPA’s next moves
球員協會接下來的步驟

It appears the MLBPA’s current strategy is to collaborate with MLB on
crafting rules that would restrict the in-game use of video. The logic of
those restrictions would be to reduce opportunities for players to
electronically cheat. There would be downsides. Batters who regularly review
video of their at-bats would be disadvantaged. Such review isn’t cheating,
either. Just the opposite, in fact, it reflects learning, effort and
preparation. Talks of curtailing opportunities for in-game video review have
drawn player criticisms. Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez, for
instance, describes the idea as “a little ridiculous.”
目前看起來球員協會的策略是跟聯盟合作，限制比賽中使用影像工具的規定。這背後的邏
輯是這些限制會減少球員使用電子產品作弊。這會有些壞處，像是那些會固定看他們在打
擊時的影像的球員就會受害，去看那些影像不是作弊。相反的，這是學習以及準備。一些
像是減少比賽中重看影像的機會已經招來一些球員的批評。紅襪DH J.D. Martinez就說這
樣的想法"有點荒謬"。

Some have wondered if the MLBPA could punish the players who cheated. Such a
move would be extremely unusual and possibly impossible in this situation. As
noted above, unions have an interest in safeguarding employees from
punishments, not expanding the ways in which employees can be punished. In
addition, any such authority would difficult to adopt. The authority could
not contradict or vary a relevant term contained in the CBA. If it did, a
punished player could file an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB.
Implementing such authority might also be difficult. MLBPA regulations
governing player agents compel arbitration for player-player agent disputes.
Perhaps such a system could be used for player-player disputes over cheating.
However, as noted above, it would hard to execute. To the extent unions “
punish” members, it’s usually related to not paying dues or showing up for
work while the union is on strike. To punish for a workplace matter seems
unlikely.
有些人會想說球員協會會不會處罰那些做弊的球員。這樣的作法極為罕見，也不太可能。
如前面所說，工會是要來保護成員不受處罰的，不是找方式來處罰他們的成員。此外，這
樣的權力很難適用，要不能違反團體協議裡面的條款。若是真的處罰球員的話，被罰的球
員可以向NLRB提起勞工訴訟，而加入這樣的主管單位也會很困難。而球員協會規定在處理
球員爭議時球員經紀人會要求要仲裁。或許這樣的機制可以拿來處理球員之間對於作弊的
爭論，但是如之前所說，這樣的機制很難執行。工會要處罰成員，大概都是跟不繳會費或
者在罷工時還去上班的人，但是要因為工作有關的事情去處罰成員似乎是不可能的。

There is one silver lining for Clark and the MLBPA. The current villain of
the sign-stealing controversy is the main person on the opposite side of the
negotiation table. Rob Manfred’s public comments about his handling of the
punishments—or the lack of punishments—have only added fuel to the fire. He
recently mocked a journalist for his investigative reporting on the scandal
(in other words, for doing his job). He also strangely devalued the World
Series trophy, the Commissioner’s Trophy, as merely a “piece of metal.”
(Manfred apologized for this remark at a press conference on Thursday.)
不過目前Clark跟球員協會還有一線機會。目前在這偷暗號爭議事件上的主要惡人坐在談判
桌對面的那位。Rob Manfred一些對於他處理方式的評論，尤其是缺乏處罰，這對目前狀況
是火上加油。他最近還嘲諷了一位調查這起案件的記者，他甚至貶低了世界大賽冠軍的獎
盃，"Commissioner'獎盃"，說它只是"一塊金屬"。

But Clark and the MLBPA should beware: the longer the controversy plays out,
the more that blame will be spread. And if players remain angry over what
happened in 2017, the MLBPA may be headed for long and acrimonious meetings
as a difficult CBA negotiation nears.
但是Clark跟球員協會得要注意了：這爭議拖的越久，指責會越來越廣。而若是球員對於
2017年所發生的事仍舊氣憤，隨著艱難的團體協議協商的接近，球員協會可能會要面對漫
長且難堪的會議了。
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這是一個律師從一些法律觀點來看這次的事件。翻完好累，有些專業用語可能翻的不好，
還請大家指正。

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#1RelwrS2 (MLB)
標題 [閒聊] 躲人Puig家裡過去一年半被闖空門四次

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