Why is it a double standard when it comes to Barry Bonds?

Question

So you guys are saying it was cool for Mark McGwire to use steroids. Look do not say Mark McGwire did not admit to use steriods okay because Barry Bonds did not admit to use either. If Mark did not use steriods then he should of said he did not in front of Congress. This is a steriod era of baseball and you guys unfairly single out Barry Bonds because he is black. You guys also became Hatton fans only because he was white. Well, if you going to look at steriods as being bad then look at the whole picture instead of one player. Barry Bonds freaking took one for the team(your favorite players white, black, whatever) So, get your facts straight!

Answer 1

Dude...this is not a black and white issue. Bonds, McGwire, Sosa....the're all jerks.
I'll tell you why Bonds gets hated on so much.
Because he's a egotistical, unfriendly, self-absorbed, balloon-headed baby.
He deals the race card bullcrap more than a blackjack dealer in Vegas.
Wake-up my man. Hiding behind your color and years of oppression will get you nowhere.

Answer 2

I do not believe there is a double standard . They needed someone high profile to make an example of to deter others from doing the same . There is more scrutiny now than when McGwire was playing. Bonds' problem is that he received bad advise. He left his answer to open for interpritation . He did not Knowingly use steroids under oath in a court of law , the same answer Rafael Palmeiro gave to MLB when he was caught . If he was more of a likeable figure in sports he might have gotten away with that answer . He is not . I admire him as a player for all the acomplishments he has acheived. With or without the roids . However if he would have taken the 5th or told the truth like Jason Giambi, he would not be in the position he is now . If anything MLB and the players union should have taken a stronger stance on the subject and need to be held accountable for allowing this to accur. The taking of Illegal substances should not be used as a bargaining chip .

Answer 3

McGwire taking the fifth puzzled me. In 1998 when he was chasing down Maris, he admitted to taking Andro and left his "excercise aids" around his locker. Mark felt he was doing no wrong and it wasn't illegal in any form.

Obviously Mark didn't just blow up like that by sticking a finger in his mouth and blowing really hard. At least, if seems that it was obvious to last year's Hall voters.

I think McGwire missed the cut last year because he was on the same bill with Canseco and Caminiti. Also, to send a message, but I believe that he and Bonds should be in the Hall of Fame.

I agree with others here though that it's because he was a jerk to the press. I believe that's the reason why Jim Rice isn't in the Hall which, even as a Yankee fan, I think is ridiculous.

Answer 4

Barry Bonds took one for the team? How?

He lied in front of the BALCO grand jury about his use of steroids.

He lied.

McGwire refused to talk about it.
He did NOT lie.

Lying under oath is perjury.

THAT'S what Bonds was indicted for. Not steroid use.

Besides, Bonds is a pompous jerk.

McGwire was quite friendly with the fans. Oh yeah, he didn't lie, either.

Bonds did.

Take your own advice, and get your facts straight.

I hope Bonds does time.

Answer 5

Everyone that bashes Barry Bonds based upon media reports of his abrasive attitude is wrong and don't know him personally.

I've met him at work (EA Sports) where he knows someone working there. He's not big headed, takes time to chat, is not a jerk, accommodates his fans, is willing to shake hands and sign autographs, and is not self centered.

The only time we get to see him at his worse is when the cameras are rolling and the media is force feeding 20 questions all at once about drugs and stupid subjects, and the randomness of the questions would definitely irritate the average man.

If people only get to see how he really is..... I'm not putting him up on a pedestal, but to wrongly accuse people of having attitude problems just because the media says someone is darkhearted..... If I was a pro athlete or broadway actor, I'd be cautious, would not trust anyone easily and would definitely shelter myself from the public. The irritation and anger is normal and I'd be angry if hounded for the wrong reasons like the media always does to him.

Answer 6

It was sickening how McGwire and others have received a free pass and how the media ripped to shreds the reporter who intially wrote about the bottle of Andro that was clearly visible to anyone in his locker. He and others must be categorized with Bonds, but that hasn't - and probably will never - be the case.

But the Mitchell investigation and Congressional focus on steroids in baseball all came from Jose Canseco. He brought the juice to the sport and his first book is ripping it away...with his next book placing a coda on the era.

Answer 7

I don't think it is because Bonds is black. I think it is because Bonds is a jerk to the media. They are the ones who keep the story up in the news. You didn't see the media grilling Sammy Sosa for using steroids, which he so obviously did.

Answer 8

The only thing Bonds took for the team was a shot in the a$$.
When they toss his behind in jail for perjury, he'll be taking something else back there.
Like MJB says....Don't throw out that race card, it doesn't look good. Play a grown-up game.

Answer 9

A good example (the entire preceding thread) about why people should not post before having morning coffee, or at least orange juice.

Bonds never testified before Congress. And that's just one item where facts are not straight.

Answer 10

It's not because he's black its because he's a jerk, and plus he's more of a target because he's holding on to the most prestigious record in baseball, quit using race as an excuse. It's despicable!