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Recommended Reading: Why the Cardinals hacked a bad MLB team

Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read.

Houston Astros v Chicago White Sox

In 2013, the Houston Astros finished the Major League Baseball season 51-111 -- fifth in the five-team American League West Division. They had a bad year, to say the least, and it followed two straight seasons of finishing last in the National League Central. So why would the St. Louis Cardinals want to hack the team's player database? A former St. Louis exec is the Astros' general manager, and his work on a similar collection of advanced stats helped the Cardinals win the 2011 World Series and five minor league championships. Oh yeah, the Astros, just three years later, are leading the division thanks to a remarkable turnaround this season.

Revealed: The Secret Gear Connecting Google's Online Empire
Cade Metz, Wired

The inner workings of Google's data centers are usually well-kept secrets, but this piece offers a glimpse at what keeps the company's massive internet world connected.

The Women Whom Science Forgot
Jawad Iqbal, BBC

History may have forgotten some very important women in science, but this survey provides a look at some names you may not know even though you're likely familiar with their work.

[Image credit: Jon Durr/Getty Images]