Exhibit D - Read "Game of Shadows" sometime. Two people it highlighted in particular were Barry Bonds and a sprinter named Marion Jones. Marion classed up and later finally admitted she had been using steroids. Barry never has classed up. You don't even need to read the whole book. Just the Barry parts. I could just end with their research, but I can't. I have more exhibits.
Exhibit E - His place in the line up. I actually saw him play once. He was a Pittsburgh Pirate. He batted lead off. He was a scrawny player who got on base. Fifteen years later he is a completely different player. He's all bulked up and hitting in the power position in the line up. I can't think of anyone else who has ever completely changed their game like that. I'm pretty sure Babe Ruth never batted lead off.
Exhibit F - Head size. You might say, "Well, a person can bulk up by lifting weights or eating a lot." Granted. But does your head get bigger? Doctors say that can be a side effect of steroid use. His head got twice as big. How does that happen without steroids? Check it out. And while we're at it, check out fellow cheater, Mark McGwire.
I've got more. I really do. Statistically, he's a freak. Not just more home runs that anyone. He was hitting most of his home runs at an age where most players are retired. But anyway, let me sum up.
What is the harm? It's ruined baseball. A fun thing used to be to see if anyone could break the home run record for a season. It was 60 by Roger Maris. Occasionally someone might get in the fifties. No one is going to get to Bonds' 73 now that they test for steroids. The tops for the season will be in the forties.
Another harm? He got away with it. When you do get caught, you should pay a penalty. He never has. Yes, he hasn't been voted into the hall of fame, but he is eligible. My boy Pete isn't (don't get me started on that.) He's got the all-time and single season home run records. He's got a bunch of MVP awards. His team won dozens of games they wouldn't have, if he hadn't cheated. He made a huge salary for hitting those home runs. Do crooks get to keep the money they steal?
The solution? Take away the stuff he got. I'm not a fan of cycling, but one thing I love about them is they took away all of Lance Armstrong's bogus wins. Easy. Do the same with Barry. Whoever came in second to him those years Barry was the MVP, is now the MVP for the season. Hank Aaron is once again the Home Run King. Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Babe Ruth - you all get to move up on the all-time home run list.
We're almost sure who cheated and what years they did. Just get rid of those stats for them. And while we're at it, let's take back the money they "earned".
I can actually feel myself getting more upset as I type this. OK, its out of my system. Thanks for listening.
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