How will history judge Barry Bonds?

Question

In your opinion, will he be remembered as a "villain of the game" or a misunderstood hero sort of like Ted Williams?

Answer 1

Hopefully, history will not "judge" Mr. Bonds. His legacy should be documented with fact and not assumptions. I believe that one is innocent until proven guilty beyond beyond doubt or question. A right that any of us would not only want ourselves but demand.

There are too many intangibles that have occurred over the years associated with the Bonds/steroids issue.

The manifestation of unfair and slanted persuasions from the media.
The quick to judge sentiment of the fans and public.
The bias and prejudice that is embedded in today's society towards race and people who are successful monetarily.

I cannot ethically condone the use of any substance that may provide an advantage for one athlete over another. But, until an undisputed verdict comes in, I'll insert Bonds into one of the top five players of all time.

As far as being a villain and/or misunderstood, try walking in his shoes for one day and then ask yourself the question again.

Answer 2

a million. Barry Bonds** (40 two) 758 L 2. Hank Aaron 755 R 3. Babe Ruth 714 L 4. Willie Mays 660 R 5. Sammy Sosa** (38) 604 R 6. Ken Griffey** (37) 590 L 7. Frank Robinson 586 R 8. Mark McGwire** 583 R 9. Harmon Killebrew 573 R 10. Rafael Palmeiro** 569 L 11. Reggie Jackson 563 L 12. Mike Schmidt 548 R 13. Mickey Mantle 536 B 14. Jimmie Foxx 534 R 15. Willie McCovey 521 L Ted Williams 521 L

Answer 3

What a great question, Mike!

The very first answer here, by Doppler, says it better than anybody else so far.

There will be some who will only remember the good, and there will be some who will only remember the bad. Many will remember both, but whether their views of him will be slightly negative or slightly positive remains to be seen.

My prediction - if he beats the record everyone's clamoring about and is inducted into the Hall of Fame, it'll be "boy, he was a great player...sure was a shame about that steroids scandal though." If they ever manage to prove that he was on steroids and he doesn't beat the record and/or doesn't get into the Hall of Fame it'll be more negative; "That Barry Bonds, he could've been something great. Too bad he had to throw it all away by cheating!"

Of course, no one knows what the future will bring, and until then we can only guess. What do you think will happen?

Answer 4

I think history has already made it's judgment. The majority of the public believes that he has used steroids and that makes him a cheater. He gets booed where ever he goes, he won't address the issue publicly and is achievements are tainted. He's not as notorious as Pete Rose and he will make it to the Hall of Fame, but it I do believe the evidence is pretty strong against him.

Answer 5

The investigation isn't over. It won't be over for years after Barry's retired. Obviously, the findings will color people's perception about his achievements.

Personally, I will always remember that it takes a lot of skill to hit a baseball, let alone well. We may never know for certain that he used steroids, but even if he did hitting a baseball is something I couldn't do at that level. He will have my respect for that. I do not think he deserves my respect on a personal level. I believe that he treats people poorly and as pawns to manipulate the way he feels at the moment.

In summary, I will see him as a rude SOB that will always have question marks surrounding his statistics.

Answer 6

Barry Bonds will be remembered as the greatest player to be juiced. He had so much natural talent & then had to ruin it by taking performance enhancers. He could have been the greatest natural athlete of all time.

Answer 7

Barry Bonds will be like all big name celebrities are remembered. Great for what he did good, and forgotten for the things he did bad.

Answer 8

Probably closer to the "villian of the game" for a few reasons. First, Williams opened up a lot to the media in his retirement, whereas it is unlikely Bonds will talk to the press. Second, many have the impression, proven or not, that Bonds cheated with steroid, whereas no one ever accused Williams of doing anything illegal. Third, Williams became a great mentor to many later players, and it is also unlikely Bonds will be as welcome with future major leaguers,. or as willing to talk about the game.

Answer 9

The home runs hit in the last 20 years are meaningless.
Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGuire and all the records they broke were the result of steroids.
They will all go in the Hall of Fame but none will have the same stature as Williams, Aaron, Mays, etc.
Ever.

Answer 10

He'll be the home run king, then the former home run king. The controversy will be forgotten by some and for others it'll be all they talk about when Bonds' name comes up. He'll be regarded sort of like Ty Cobb... some will see only the greatness, some will see only the controversy, and some will say that like most of the greats he was a talented player who had his problems and shortcomings.