Why is Bonds still allowed to get after the record?

[SmootSmack]

I was wondering when you were going to start a Bonds thread...again

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I was wondering when you were going to start a Bonds thread...again

Well, I was going to let it go, but after watching that interview on ESPN NEWS, I am outraged that people are embracing him.
I think baseball is going to get a permanant black eye with this.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Well, I was going to let it go, but after watching that interview on ESPN NEWS, I am outraged that people are embracing him.
I think baseball is going to get a permanant black eye with this.

I'm a huge baseball fan and I can't wait for him to break it. Baseball has embraced cheating throughout its history and now all of a sudden they want to act like it's an issue? Whenever they take down greaseballers/spitballers/ball scuffers out of the hall, I'll agree.

When you consider that a lot of pitchers have been caught using steroids, it makes it seem like Bonds is par for the course as far as baseball is concerned. Baseball deserves exactly what they're getting. I, personally, have no problem with Barry or anything he's done.

Wake me up when he tests positive.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I'm a huge baseball fan and I can't wait for him to break it. Baseball has embraced cheating throughout its history and now all of a sudden they want to act like it's an issue? Whenever they take down greaseballers/spitballers/ball scuffers out of the hall, I'll agree.

When you consider that a lot of pitchers have been caught using steroids, it makes it seem like Bonds is par for the course as far as baseball is concerned. Baseball deserves exactly what they're getting. I, personally, have no problem with Barry or anything he's done.

Wake me up when he tests positive.

Preach on my brother! 100% agree

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Preach on my brother! 100% agree

So it doesn't concern you that he actually admitted it? The fact that he says he thought it was flaxseed oil is beleivable for you?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by jsarno

So it doesn't concern you that he actually admitted it? The fact that he says he thought it was flaxseed oil is beleivable for you?

My understanding is in a leaked grand jury testimony he said he unknowingly took the cream or clear or something like that. But he's never been tested for it, as best I can recall.

What concerns me is the double standard. As has been mentioned, cheaters have been allowed for years in MLB. See Gaylord Perry, who's in the Hall of Fame for crying out loud. The Sosa's, McGwire's, and Bonds' of the world saw an opening when baseball turned the other way when performance enhancing drugs came into play. They needed fans back in the seats and "chicks dig the long ball." Then when the public outcry came, baseball suddenly went Renault on everyone. ("Shocked! Shocked! to find out there is gambling going on here" only to be handed his gambling winnings while making this pronouncement.)

MLB wants to act like Bonds has ruined the integrity of the sport, but they themselves ruined it long ago. The concern should be about the dangers of these drugs (see Chris Benoit, or the girl who died of an infection after applying too much cream), not whether there should be an asterisk next to Bonds' name. Will there be one next to all the pitchers he didn't get a homerun against who were on steroids themselves.

Look, I don't know Bonds but most say he's not that great a person. And that certainly hurts him at this time. I think even before the last decade he's one of the greatest players ever and he's a Hall of Famer if his career ended 10 years ago. Would he be my first choice to hold the record? No, but that doesn't mean I think everything should be done to keep him from it

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

My understanding is in a leaked grand jury testimony he said he unknowingly took the cream or clear or something like that. But he's never been tested for it, as best I can recall.

What concerns me is the double standard. As has been mentioned, cheaters have been allowed for years in MLB. See Gaylord Perry, who's in the Hall of Fame for crying out loud. The Sosa's, McGwire's, and Bonds' of the world saw an opening when baseball turned the other way when performance enhancing drugs came into play. They needed fans back in the seats and "chicks dig the long ball." Then when the public outcry came, baseball suddenly went Renault on everyone. ("Shocked! Shocked! to find out there is gambling going on here" only to be handed his gambling winnings while making this pronouncement.)

MLB wants to act like Bonds has ruined the integrity of the sport, but they themselves ruined it long ago. The concern should be about the dangers of these drugs (see Chris Benoit, or the girl who died of an infection after applying too much cream), not whether there should be an asterisk next to Bonds' name. Will there be one next to all the pitchers he didn't get a homerun against who were on steroids themselves.

While I agree with all that, you are still ignoring the fact that he is going after a hallowed record.
It did end up hurting Sosa as he was out of baseball until Texas decided to take a chance on him this year.
McGwire admitted to taking Andro, which at the time was indeed legal. Of course, he probably lied too, but he at least admitted it and now his entire career has been tarnished.
I'm sorry, but comparing a spitball to someone who doubled his old output by using steroids is weak at best.

Look, I don't know Bonds but most say he's not that great a person. And that certainly hurts him at this time. I think even before the last decade he's one of the greatest players ever and he's a Hall of Famer if his career ended 10 years ago. Would he be my first choice to hold the record? No, but that doesn't mean I think everything should be done to keep him from it

I don't even care what kind of person he is, I care about the fact that he cheated to get where he is. I care about the fact that Canseco, Sosa, and Palmiero took it too. So if you don't chastize Bonds and think his assault on the record books should be ceased, then you must agree with Canseco and Palmiero, and maybe even Ken Caminiti getting into the hall. (and we all know they will never make it)

[MTK]

Originally Posted by jdlea

I'm a huge baseball fan and I can't wait for him to break it. Baseball has embraced cheating throughout its history and now all of a sudden they want to act like it's an issue? Whenever they take down greaseballers/spitballers/ball scuffers out of the hall, I'll agree.

When you consider that a lot of pitchers have been caught using steroids, it makes it seem like Bonds is par for the course as far as baseball is concerned. Baseball deserves exactly what they're getting. I, personally, have no problem with Barry or anything he's done.

Wake me up when he tests positive.

Good point.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I was wondering when you were going to start a Bonds thread...again

On a side note...the more I focus on Bonds and Vick, the less I focus on Stewart.
In all honesty, Stewart is a little boy scout compared to those two.

I guess being into statistics like I am, and growing up in Fenway Park with all that history, I am an advocate for the protection of baseball. It's history and records need to be protected. Bonds is spitting in the face of everyone that played before him, and everyone that ever cared about the game.
Hank Aaron should smack him in the face with a white glove after he breaks the record.