Barry Bonds Is the HR king, will he be a first ballot inductee into the Hall of Fame?

Question

Tony Gwynn has said "innocent until proven guilty, so absolutely". Without proof I think it's a lock. Now bring on the hate, and the love.

Answer 1

Innocent until proven guilty is a legal term and not subject to the sport of baseball.
Evidently, Mr Gwynn is being politically correct and ignoring the fact that Bonds has admitted to doing something that was later discovered to be steroids.

That being said, it's truly up to the baseball writers to view his accomplishments. I see three separate groups.

1) anyone who does steroids, regardless of how long, will not get my vote
2) I will look at what the person accomplished and reduce it by the effect that I believe steroids had on him
3) I will look at the entire career and not consider steroids seeing as the commissioner has not done anything about it.

Certainly, anyone in group 3 will vote for Bonds
I would be in group 2 myself and based on my personal opinion, I would vote for him.
Group 1 would not vote for him.

Since this isn't an either/or decision, then you will need 25% or more voters to be in that group 1 category.
Groups 2 and 3 should support him and ultimately, he gets in.

Answer 2

He should be but he won't which is crazy.

this is the only country in the world that states innocent until proven guilty, but doesn't live by it.

Hey Bondsonsteroids you are a racist pig. The man broke the record and is being questioned about using steroids and the only thing to come out of you is that he is an N word? How old are you? Have you read a book lately? You have officially become the most ignorant person on Yahoo Answers congrats! Not only are you dumb but you are also a bigot! Idiot! Thank you for allowing me to understand that there really are people like you out there! Oh and I reported you too!

Answer 3

Gwynn's statement is correct, but I"m still not sure that the voters will agree. It's ultimately up to those BBWAA voters, and I have a feeling that some of them might voice their suspicions and displeasure with Bonds by keeping him out initially. It doesn't mean that's the right thing to do, but I can see it happening.

I think a lot of what happens will be affected by a couple of things. First, if no charges are ever laid against Bonds for steroid use/tax evasion, then it will weaken the argument for keeping him out. Secondly, it will depend on the status of the steroid issue after he's gone. It's a hot-button issue right now, but it might cool off as time passes.

Based on his numbers and career performance, it's a no-brainer - he should be a first-ballot HOFer with 100% of the vote. But, I just don't see that happening.

Answer 4

honestly, I think he deserves it. I've never been a Barry fan, but seriously look at his numbers, even prior to 73. How many years did he get 30-30, 40-40? How many gold gloves, and MVPs did this guy get? He's obviously not a fan favorite lke Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken who entered this year, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't get in, even first ballot.

Answer 5

Hey dryheaddave, you may not win a world series with their record but you do sell out every home game with Bonds there. Yes Barry should be on the first ballot.

Answer 6

Most of the people say he will not be a first ballot inductee to show him a lesson and he would likely get in on the second year.

I personally think he gets in first ballot.

Answer 7

I absolutely think he should be a first ballot hall of famer unless he is convicted of something and proven to have taken steroids. Whether he will make it on the first ballot is another question. There are a lot of people who despise him, both for the steroid accusations and his personality. So I can definately see him missing the hall on the first vote.

Answer 8

He won't get in on the first ballot so a message will be sent about his "alleged" steroid use. Then MLB will cave in and elect him at a later date since he has the most home runs (for now) even though you can't compare this achievement based just on the numbers, there are many, many, other factors.

Answer 9

I agree. Definitely first ballot. He already etched his plaque to Cooperstown years ago, before all of this controversy came raining down. Whether tainted or not, he solidified his first ballot status last night.

Answer 10

Of course he will get in first ballot. Barry said himself that he's got a lot more baseball in him. He may end up hitting 800-825 home runs by the time he is finished. Greatest player of all time.