Barry Bonds???

Question

Why does every one go after just Barry Bonds with steroids? I would almost gurantee every player in the league has used something to make them better players( Thats considered cheating too). Steroids was around when Hank Aaron played so he could of been on them too, in fact it would of been easier for him to be on them. By the way im not a Giants fan just an alround baseball fan

Answer 1

Actually, Hank Aaron has admitted to using amphetamines, aka "greenies". But that doesn't answer your question. Bonds is targeted for the simple reason that he's the most visible. Who cares if the likes of Alex Sanchez or Ryan Franklin have been using performance enhancers? We (the public) take a twisted pleasure from watching the mighty fall. It's sort of like our inescapable urge to "rubberneck" at a car wreck.

Answer 2

There were no rules in place about steroids, so even if he did do it, he did not cheat. There are a lot of products, machines, and technology out there that help players get into shape today that Hank Aaron did not have the luxery of. Did Hank have Gatorade? In the 60's did anyone really know how to work out properly? The doctors are better today too. They keep people on the field. The nutrition is better today! People are eating healthier.

Give it a rest people...this is a new time and era and we have a lot of things today that don't make the game the same as it was when Hank was playing. Players are way more fit and ripped than when Babe Ruth was playing...that's a fact. This is a new millenium. We have more crap now (internet, computers, etc..) Now that the rules are in place against steriods, then let's all just go with it. But anything before the rule should be layed to rest already.

Answer 3

I agree with you completely, but to answer your question, I pose another one: who else is currently close to breaking the most "sacred" record in Baseball? It's ridiculous that nobody would be praising Barry for sticking with it when he could have folded in and shut down after taking a lot of the beatings he's taken from the media. I hope he goes for it. By the way, did anyone see the interview with Ernie Banks on Baseball Tonight on Sunday? At least someone is rooting for Barry to do it. Hopefully he gets there, gets to the All Star Game and showcases his talent. Oh, and a little side note, though steroids may have been against the law to traffic and have, Major League Baseball never had anything in their rule books regarding steroids until the anonymous testing started in 2003. I say, innocent until proven guilty too. Go Barry (and I'm not a Giants fan too).

Answer 4

Danny D, I am glad we live in a society where people are guilty until proven innocent and in your special case you can put random punctuations where ever you please. Please go back to sixth grade and leard some English grammar. Now for the question. Why has everyone so far made Barry guilty before anything has been proven? It does not make sence to me at all as a fan of the game. Why couldn't Hank have taken steroids? He is just as guilty as Barry right now with no evidence against either. Give me some hard facts to prove Barry has used steroids or other performance enhancing drugs. If not leave Barry alone and I hope he does break the record infront of a loving crowd.

Answer 5

So if everyone else is doing it then it is okay?? If everyone jumped off a bridge does that mean you should too???

Congress wanted baseball to clean up its image and impose stiffer penalties for steeroid use. They answered with a limp dick policy of a certian # of games suspension for each steeroid test failed. I would love to see some integrity in baseball... after all it is considered to be the 'All-American sport' by most people. Watching these guys cheat is just awful. And Bonds is the front runner because he is doing so well right now.

Just think what message it sends to the average 14 year old high school pitcher... All the pros are doing it, so if I want to be a pro I must take steroids!! You want your 14yo taking steroids??/

Answer 6

I think that just by comparing them physically, it is easy to see that Aaron didn't do steroids. But Bonds suddenly got much larger and started to become much better at an advanced age where players are normally in decline. I mean, he went from never having hit 50 homers to suddenly hitting 73 in one year at age 38! His hat size increased...his body got much more muscular, and in Grand Jury testimony, he admitted to using "the clear" and "the cream", except he said he thought it was flaxseed oil and arthritic balm. An excuse that most people just can't buy. But you make a valid point in that cheating has always been around baseball - pitchers using pine tar (hello Kenny Rogers), spitballs, and players using "greenies" or uppers. But none of those "cheats" seemed to have the impact of steroids in that they didn't help break long standing records. And, to top it all off, most media don't like Bonds because he can be surly and won't kiss their butts.

Answer 7

Here is why the media and fans jump on Barry Bonds.
1. He went from a 175 lb skinny outfielder with a size 6 7/8 hat to a 245 lb solid muscleman with a 7 5/8 hat.
2. He is not media friendly. Throughout his career he has not been conducive to the media and fans. He only does interviews when he wants with who he wants.
3. He is not a good teammate. Just ask Jeff Kent (teammate who he fought with) or a variety of other teammates. He's just not a good guy in the clubhouse.
4. He is breaking the most historic record in baseball. Hank Aaron is in icon, known for his class as much as his baseball talent. Bonds has never been confused with class. Him breaking Aaron's mark replaces class with ____.

Answer 8

I actually agree, I think Barry is a bit of a scapegoat on this deal, probably because he's just not a "nice guy" or a fan favorite.

Sad thing is, even without breaking the home run mark, this guy is/was one of the greatest baseball players we've ever witnessed. Between gold gloves, batting stats and stolen bases what couldn't he do better than just about anybody else? Seriously, I respect what he's done and I don't know that he's cheated any worse than 3/4 the other guys out there...

Answer 9

I think it's rediculous.. Bonds has never tested positive for anything. If you have watched him throughout his career, then you will know that he can cover the plate better than anybody. His knowledge of the strike zone and NL pitchers is unbelievable! By the way, in the 70's "Greenies" were prevelant in MLB. I'm sure Aaron popped a couple from time to time... I think it's horrible that Aaron said that he will "probably be golfing somewhere" when Bonds breaks the record.

Answer 10

I agree. Even with steriods, the human body has its limitations. I think people are just intimidated that an old man can do a better job than most young men in baseball, so they dig up dirt on him. What's next, game show contestants disqualified for using Saint Johns Wort to study the night before the show?