Is Bonds redeaming himself?

Question

So is the amazing start to the year Bonds is having enough to quiet people who can only focus on the couple of years he may have used ?

IMO there's just no denying that he's one of the best players in history and nothing can diminish that. Ty Cobb was a bit of an a@@ too.

Answer 1

sure

Answer 2

Just read a few of the earlier replies -- this is the vocal part of the court of public opinion he faces. Condemned forever; convinced he's still using ("something") but cannot prove it; cheater cheater cheater. I'm waiting for just one explanation of how steroids improved his eyesight, because his strike zone mastery is unequaled. Yet, somehow, 'roids makes him take walks.

Some of these people (in general, not these posters specifically) are the same ones who want to put Rose into the Hall -- the game's HIGHEST honor -- summarily, despite the smoking gun in his hand. Pfeh; Bonds cannot win, so why even bother trying?

EDIT: To add: I don't doubt Bonds took some steroids; that's fairly certain from his leaked grand jury testimony. I don't think that explains everything, or even a whole lot. Conveniently overlooked by the haters are other factors, which could be large or small, but one that cannot be avoided is the Giants moving from a lousy hitting park (Candlestick) to a friendlier one (PacBell or whatever telco-du-jour holds the naming rights). The change in park (not to mention many other, friendlier parks around the NL, and the unbalanced schedule, which gives Bonds more games at Coors Field) made a difference even to someone as standout as Bonds.

But the haters don't care; it's all 'roids all the time. Cheat, 'roids, hate, repeat ad nauseum. I suppose it's easier than thinking.

Answer 3

IMO Barry Bonds is not redeaming himself. He is doing what great players do. Play great baseball. Steroid issue aside, Bonds might be the greatest all around player ever. 7-time MVP! 4 consecutive! I am not a Giants fan and really, I don't like Barry but I give respect where it's due. Check out the bio on the Giants team site... It's just crazy to see what he's accomplished in his career...

But, to answer your question, there is no redemption for Barry... the public believes he used and even if it is never proven, he will still have the * next to his name when it comes to public opinion and his records...

Answer 4

There is no redemption for Bonds. No penance is great enough for Bonds to regain grace. For all that Cobb was, (and you're right, the Georgia Peach was a world class a##, not only to the fans, his teammates, and opponants, but also to the wife and kids he used to get drunk and beat ferociously) he had an undying respect and admiration for the game and he was loyal to was the game.

The problem with Bonds extends much further than just cheating and using PED's. Bonds is loyal to one thing and one thing only: Bonds. He is selfish, self-centered, and egotistical. He cares nothing about his teammates, his family, or his "friends" (like his trainer who's sitting in prinson right now or Mark Sweeny and the amphetamines scandal). He has no respect for the history or integrity of the game. He cares nothing about the sanctity of the game. That attitude and demeanor is unforgivable.

For the record, Bonds juiced for much more than a couple of years.

Answer 5

For one thing, it's not a question of whether Cobb was a jerk. He was. But he wasn't a cheater, which is what Bobble Headed Barry is. Being a jerk makes people dislike you, but cheating is unfair.

That being said, Bonds is cheating now with HGH or some other performance enhancer, so know, his padded numbers this year are just as phony as his previous padded numbers from cheating, and thus he is not redeeming himself.

* To GoalieK. Yes, he had to hit the ball too, but juicing allowed him to hit it farther and better. Some of the enhancers also have allowed him to play longer, although it is finally catching up to his body in a negative way. That being said, he IS NOT being tested daily. Look up the testing policy.

** To Cory R. He is NOT the greatest ballplayer in history. Beyond the fact that the majority of his career he has been a one facet player (his average only went up when people stopped pitching to him and so the few balls that hit the strike zone are usually mistake pitches, and he hasn't been a speedster in a LONG time), he is also a cheater. How can you say he's as great as Willie Mays, who was a greater all around player (with just as much pop without cheating, but playing in bigger parks)? Hank Aaron? Ruth? Cobb? Hornsby? Wagner? Williams? Clemente? Griffey Jr.? All of those guys are greater, easily, and didn't have to cheat to do it.

Funny thing about the speed thing. He hits an age when he passes his prime and like most people, he slows down considerably, and he steals less and less. Unlike most people though, he also gets bigger and stronger and starts hitting over 10 HR more a year than he did in his prime years, 15-20 more a year than he hit as a youth. Funny how the rest of his skills diminished with age like most players after their prime, but his power numbers actually went up. Gee, I wonder why?

Answer 6

Bonds transcends the statement 'a bit of an @ss'.

Bonds was a 'bit of an a$$' back when he was just a jerk to the fans and the media.

And then he decided to put steroids into his body so he could hit more home runs. And he became a cheater too.

The only way Bonds can ever redeem himself would be to admit that he took steroids instead of lying about it. And to face the music for his actions, which would likely be a ban from baseball and the voiding of all his records.

Answer 7

If you think athletes stopped abusing steroids, you are mistaken.

There's still no accurate test for HGH. And it's not like chemists decided to quit trying to create the new designer steroids.

And he's also admitted to using steroids. He used both "the cream" and "the clear" from BALCO labs and claimed to not know what they were. His best friend and personal trainer is a known steroid distributor.

He's made a mockery of baseball. The leading home run hitter in the history of baseball is a drug user and cheater.

Congratulations!


Never proven?? He admitted that to the grand jury and said he though it was flaxseed oil....riiiiight. I take flaxseed oil and it has a taste like nothing else. You don't put things into your body w/o knowing what they are first. His story is bullshit.

Answer 8

There is no doubt that Bonds, given the fact that he has not been found guilty of anything, is arguably the greatest ballplayer in history. However, when it comes to redemption, it is not his skills on the field that are hurting him, it is his skills OFF the field that will haunt him for years after he has hung up his spikes. His relations with fans, media and fellow players continues to hurt his reputation year in and year out.

Jimi-If you noticed, I said he is "arguably" the greatest. In my opinion, I would not put him in that category, however, many would. You mentioned some truly great ballplayers, and it just goes to show that opinions vary from person to person. Also, your comments make Bonds out to be guilty (which, by all means, is a no-brainer), however, he STILL hasn't been found guilty of anything...yet.

Answer 9

The thing about Bonds is that even though his records have a cloud of suspicion over them, he still had to hit the ball. He was always a great player and great hitter. Now that is getting tested daily and is still putting up great numbers, I think that the general public is backing off some.

Answer 10

I agree with you. Bonds is an immense baseball talent. I think that he possibly used some illegal substances-right along with a LARGE number of other players. You cant single out Barry. Steroids can make you bigger and stronger, but this ain't football; steroids cant make you a great baseball player, and Barry is a great baseball player.

Answer 11

Bonds doesn't have to redeam himself from anything!!
What do you mean the couple of years he may have used??
There is NO proof he used!!!