posted Aug 9, 2007

The article we are commenting on is libelous and actionable as such. The author states "even his ... allies must ...acknowledge the evidence that his career has been boosted by banned drugs is ... overwhelming." In fact Bond has never as much as been ACCUSED of taking banned drugs. He has been ACCUSED of taking THG, a substance not banned by MLB at that time. The most he has even been accused of is taking a cream without a prescription, although given that his medical records are confidential, just like yours and mine, no one writing here can even know if he either took or was prescribed this non banned substance without a prescription. And if he did take a non banned substance without a presription what would be the outcome? Come off it, there is no outcome. It is not exactly dog fighting, DUI of spousal abuse.

So Barry Bonds then. Unlike Babe Ruth, he was unable to avoid facing black pitchers. perhaps a good job given his colour. He has had more than twice the number of intentional walks as Hank. Given that he homers one in fifteen at bats, that is another 50 homers if they had pitched to him. 500 stolen bases when he was younger, plus fielding awards. But he remains black and he does not show courtesy to jounalists.

Here is the news. No one who knows them like journalists.

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posted Aug 9, 2007

Shame on anyone playing the race card in this debate, of course this same issue would be arising if a white player was in Bonds' shoes; Aaron was one of the great black pioneers of the game, he had to put up with constant racism and himself took the HR record from a white hero, none other than baseball's godfather.

As for the question of whether Bonds' record is tarnished? The answer must be yes, the evidence of steroid use is stacked against him. But perhaps Barry is not to blame. Ever since the game went into steep decline in the early 90's, MLB has been turning a blind eye to anything that would revive 'America's Favourite Pastime' and so have been gradually letting more and more of this behaviour go unpunished. Steroid use is now an accepted part of the game as it makes for more home runs, due to more powerful hitting and pitching, which means more fans, paying good MONEY. So while we should celebrate with the most affection those players in the Griffey Jr. mould who really are clean and honest, it is the MLB that has played Frankenstein and created this monster. Well done Barry on the achievement, but Baseball, you only have yourselves to blame for turning your back on your history - and betraying the heroes that made it.

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posted Aug 9, 2007

Slimboy, this overwhelming evidence you have, please share it. And before you also commit libel, let me help you out, the cream and the clear were not banned substances when Barry Bonds hit 71 homers in a season. Or for the pitchers who pitched to him. You have no evidence of cheating. Because there is none. Bonds nailed the best pitchers of his era on a level playing field. Oh and the race card? Babe nailed the best white pitchers of his era, on a level playing field, and I salute his acheivement. It is not his fault that it merits an asterix.

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posted Aug 10, 2007

Lance Armstrong, record breaker, persistent drug allegations but no failed tests, American sporting hero.

Barry Bonds, record breaker, persistent drug allegations but no failed tests, American sporting pariah.

Spot the difference.

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posted Aug 11, 2007

I'll tell you the difference between Lance Armstrong and Barry Bonds. Armstrong is charismatic (in his way) and a legendary philanthropist. Bonds is a sociopath.

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posted Aug 11, 2007

Be sensible. Gehrig kept his streak alive by coming on in the ninth, having pitch runners, etc. Ripkin was the real iron man, played every innings, passed Gehrigs record and kepy on going for two more years

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posted Aug 11, 2007

That makes it impossible for Bonds to cheat, because even if he was juiced, it was within the rules. So to interpret your post, sportsmen should oeprate not only within the rules of the day, but should also operate within the rules of tomorrow.

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posted Aug 13, 2007

There might be some wriggle room around "the cream", but "the clear" is an anabolic steroid. Possesion of an anabolic steroid without a prescription has been illegal in the US since 1990 and banned in baseball since 1991.

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posted Aug 14, 2007

Barry was clearly on the 'juice' during his 71 HR season. His hat size grew 2.5 sizes. If you look at the before/after pictures it's quite obvious that he was taking banned substances in baseball. The question is, did he KNOW that he was taking these substances? Obviously it is only my opinion, but I think he was WELL aware of this. His ex-wife even stated that he knowingly took steroids to 'beat the white boy' (McGwire).

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posted Sep 22, 2007

Regrettably, his record is a fraud; and not even his remarkable natural talent can overcome the stain of controversy and illegitimacy his "performance enhancements" have indellibly cast upon him. It's not as sad a day for Barry Bonds as it is for baseball and true records of merit.

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