Major League Bull

It's easy to hate Barry Bonds, yet it's impossible to deny his impact on the sport of baseball. No other player has commanded the attention of an entire nation such as Bonds has in his quest to rewrite the history books of America's treasured past time. As the son of former MLB all-star Bobby Bonds; the godson of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, and a distant cousin of Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, it seems that Bonds evolving into the most prolific athlete baseball has produced in recent memory is just another footnote in his families rich major league history. Steroids have questioned the legitimacy of his records, but his numbers still are remarkable in an age where inflation in athlete production has skyrocketed thanks to the help of modern day chemistry. Trainers have gained valuable experience in weightlifting, nutrition, conditioning, and recovery, but in an age where our professional athletes are being pressured to perform at a consistently high level, it seems as if players (w/ the consent of their owners) are willing to use illegal enhancing drugs to keep them ahead of the pack. The problem isn't Barry Bonds; it's the entire league (including its fans) that should be held responsible for their product. Everytime Bonds hits a home run, ratings go up...as do advertisers and fan interest. Breaking the homerun record brought much needed interest back into America's pastime, no matter if the energy directed towards the sport was negative or positive. As they say, "any publicity is good publicity." Baseball will recover from Bonds' steroid controversy and produce a new homerun king (A-Rod) to challenge for the throne, but it's sad that so many involved in the sport have turned their backs on one of the greatest players ever to play the game. Barry Bonds didn't cheat, rather he played by new rules set up by a league that has suddenly chosen to use him as an example in order to deflect the blame. A league desperate for bigger, faster, better, and flashier stars to catch the interest of a public conditioned to watch bigger-then-life athletes dominate the realms of football and basketball. "It's not cheating, if everyone else is doing it"...is it? I guess that's a question Bonds should have asked his trainer before deciding to juice up.

Bonds or Baseball?

Does it matter if one person is cheating when majority of the other players are too? Does it only matter when that person is breaking records? The problem we have here is the case of a scapegoat. Why is this man's achievements under scrutiny while others are not? When Barry Bonds broke the home run record, he did not receive just accolades for his achievements. Should he have his name forever remembered for breaking a home run record or should he be forever shunned for the use of steroids? Everyone has attacked one batter who uses a drug to enhance his ability, but who has the advantage when both a pitcher and a batter are on steroids? Yes Babe Ruth may have not had any help in his records, but with steroids being such an epidemic in the world of baseball today it is rare to find an athlete who has not played against, with, or while taking the drug themselves. What can not be denied is the fact that Barry Bonds has accomplished something impressive in the baseball world today and he should be recognized for that. What should be scrutinized is the fact that the baseball world is not what it used to be. It is not a sport of pure god given talent, sweat, and sheer determination. It is tainted with drugs, pressure, and controversy.

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Honestly I don't know too much about this whole thing, but I suppose Barry Bonds did cheat big time. But um... it's always exciting and entertaining to see records being broken, so Barry did accomplish something regardless of what the means were. I'm not saying I agree with cheating or not taking baseball seriously. I'm saying I "agree with", however shallow it might sound, entertainment.

Barry Bonds

Because baseball is a sport rich with tradition that dates back to the 1800s in the U.S., its individual records are highly valued in the sports world, perhaps more than in any other game. So when somebody suddenly starts to approach arguably the most beloved indivdual record in baseball, the all-time home run record, the person will naturally come under intense scrutiny by the media. Of course, Barry Bonds is no ordinary figure in baseball. He has been accused of cheating by way of illegal substances to enhance performance, and he has been a polarizing figure during his lenghty career. However, he has NEVER been caught cheating. He is innocent until proven guilty, but because of overwhelming speculation, he has been seen in a negative light during his entire run to the top of the home run list. Jason Giambi, on the other hand, has openly admitted to taking steroids, but continues to play for the Yankees and is not generally hated by the baseball world like Bonds is. The bottom line remains that Bonds is looked down upon because of not what he has accomplished in his career, but how he accomplished it and because of its significance in baseball history. Giambi gets off the hook in the public eye because he's not breaking records, but Bonds is scrutinized for "supposedly" breaking the most important record in the game. Even if he did cheat, which is very possible, the media should let up a bit until the truth comes out. If it ever does.

The 'Roid to Victory

To be perfectly honest, I do not have a very set opinion on this whole "Barry-Bonds-juices-up-so-he-can-break-records" issue. I just think that the issue goes beyond whether or not his record is legitimate. Barry Bonds used illegal steroids--key word being illegal. You break the law, you break the rules, you should accept the consequences. I would say that I don't see how it's fair to the other players who are itching to take the record for themselves when the competition uses anabolic steroids. However, because, according to USA Today's Chuck Johnson, five to seven percent of Major League Ball players tested positive for anabolic steroids in a recent non-random drug test (leading most believe the problem is much more prevalent), I have trouble believing that other players can truly be upset by Bonds' 'roids won victory. That would be "the pot calling the kettle black", if you ask me. The real issue is how the media and therefore the media consumers view Barry Bonds. Barry Bonds is not a particularly amiable man when it comes to his dealings with the press. The press has the ultimate say in how a person or event is portrayed to the masses. Rather than a celebration of the broken record, the media chose to seek revenge on Bonds by focusing on the cheapness of the victory. I honestly don't know if Bonds legitimately broke the home run record, because my perception has been skewed by the media.

What About the Game?

When it comes to the issue of baseball players and steroid use, it goes beyond those players who have used them to win championships and break records. It comes down to the game itself. The players of Major League Baseball are getting paid to play the game they love because they are the best in the country, on their own. By taking steroids players are cheating the fans and cheating the game. What will become of baseball, America's past time, if it is no longer about talent but rather who is "juiced". If a player can not keep up with, or stay at the top of, the level of play in the league perhaps it is time for him to step aside and let a new generation take the stage and allow the game to progress naturally. The title of "pro" loses some of its magic if the player who gained this status is not maintaining it with hard work and natural talent. These guys are talented enough to get into the league, they shouldn't have to take steroids to continue to play in the league.

Bondsy!!!

In 1998, Barry Bonds appeared to be the third best home run hitter in all of baseball behind Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa. He knew that he was the best hitter and that they had an unfair advantage. He stooped to their level and began taking steroids so he could raise his game above their level. Since then, he has hit hundreds of home runs and now holds the record for home runs in a season and in a career. Because of these records, and his strong disconnection from the media, he has become the most scrutinized player in all of professional sports.

Bonds cheated. He deserves to be under fire, but he also needs to be respected as the best baseball player in an era when experts estimate about 50% of the players used some type of steroid.

Major League Problem

Barry Bonds cheated. However, half of the Majors might have cheated throughout the 90's along with him. I don't see how we can place Barry Bonds under so much scrutiny and critisize him so harshly for committing a crime that everyone commits. Bonds has become the poster boy for everything that is wrong baseball today. At the other end of the spectrum,Roger Clemens, also accused of taking steroids, has gotten a free pass. No one has suggested taking away his 7 Cy-Youngs. What makes Clemens better than Bonds? He is just as cold to the media, and he throws bats at people!! Bonds is black, Clemens is white. Members of the media dismiss this argument instantly, most members of the media are also white. Don't get me wrong, Clemens is an amazing pitcher, just as Bonds is probably the best home run hitter of our time. Despite all the detractors, what Bonds has accomplished is special, and required a great amount of skill. All Bonds did is what most competitors are taught to do from a young age, gain a competitive edge. It's what he was told to do by little league coaches, what he was told to do by high school coaches, and what he was told to do by his Major League coaches.

Barry Bonds Scandal

The Barry Bonds scandal is a major issue in the media today. Although I know little about sports, it is difficult not to know about this story. In my opinion, taking steroids is wrong. An athelete caught taking performance- enchancing drugs should receive punishment. It is unfair to the other atheletes that are not taking drugs. However, it is assumed that many baseball players take steroids. Steroids are common in the baseball world. But, they are still illegal. Therefore, the question is should Bond's homerun record be taken away? I think it should. The man earned that record illegally. However, he is not the only one to earn his record illegally. All other atheletes caught taking steroids should also be punished accordingly. Hopefully this will bring about some fairness in sports.

Cheater, Cheater, Title Eater

It's unfair to all baseball players in the present and the past that Barry Bonds cheated his way through the game. He took the titles and opportunities away from other, more legitimate players who have not cheated and have the natural ability to win the titles Bonds has won in the past few years. The fact that he's so disliked by the media explains why he recieves so much flack for what he did, and although what he did was unfair, it's also unfair that the media beats him up so much. There are plenty of other players, both in baseball and other sports, that have cheated, so others who are widely known "cheaters" should receive just as much contempt from the public.

Baroid

With homerun #756 finally in the rearview mirror, the sporting world is no longer forced having Barry Bonds shoved down its throat with its morning coffee and croisant. No, now it's Mike Vick and his love of animals. But Barry Bonds is still, for lack of a better word, a cheater. And no I'm not talking about his wife. Although he may never be 100 percent proven guilty, the evidence against him remains overwhelming. His trainer is in jail. Victor Conte, BALCO founder was in jail, and openly admitted on more than one occassion to distributing steroids to many high profiled athletes. Bonds never sued the two writers of the book, Game of Shadows, who documented his steroid abuse for a period of several years. If it wasn't a true account, why not make an extra buck in court? He seemed to enjoy cheating his taxes so much. Bonds was certainly a hall of famer before his first injection. 3 MVPs and 9 Gold Gloves - nuff said. But his jelousy following the homerun chase of Mark Mgwire and Sammy Sosa triggered his usage. An already hall of fame career wasn't enough for the slugger. Two homerun records, about 40 pounds of muscle, and a whirlwind of controversy later, Bonds is still the most talked about figure in his sport. Unfortunantely, he doesn't deserve it.

Africk on Bonds

I'm so far on the fence about Barry Bonds I have splinters in some very unusual places. On the one hand, the man is probably one of the most disliked players of all time and for good reason. Bonds thinks he is the greatest player of all time and doesn't mind saying it. He's arrogant, cocky and has no respect for the media or the fans. In Pittsburgh, he alienated his teammates, coaches, front office and fans. On the other hand, though, Bonds is one hell of a hitter. Critics forget that before he reportedly started using steroids in 1999, when he was only a skeleton of his current self, he was still a prolific hitter. Bonds' stats dictated that he would have gone down as one of the greatest all-around players of all time had he not taken steroids. When he was in Pittsburgh and in his early years in San Francisco, his homerun totals were lower, but his stolen bases and fielding percentage were up. The problem was that he wanted more. The book Game of Shadows by the San Francisco Chronicle columnists that broke the story, highlights this the best. Bonds wasn't satisfied with just being great, he had to be the best, and ultimately, that's what led to his downfall in the eyes of much of the American public.

Roid Rage

Records were made to be broken is what they say, and I can't disagree. Especially in terms of sports. The wonderful thing about records is that they're only done so often, and the person who breaks them in doing so represents a lot of talent, determination, and hard work. So when someone does so unfairly (not to mention illegally), I can't say that I can be happy for him or his organization. Barry Bonds, no doubt, is a great athlete. One of the best, some might argue. He's not exactly a media darling, but he is a pretty good baseball player. But how good would he be if he didn't use steroids? Could he have broken Aaron's record if he never used steroids? I guess we'll never know. In a sense, not only is Bonds cheating baseball fans throughout the United States by enhancing his skills illegally, he's cheating himself. That may sound cliche and overstated, but it is the truth. It's like comparing liposuction to eating right and exercising. One of the greatest thing about sports is that not anyone can come in and excel to the level that most professional athletes can. Professional athletes dedicate themselves to their sport and constantly challenge themselves. If Bonds could do that naturally, I think it would be slightly more satisfying.

Boo on Bonds

Some of the class' comments were similar to what I thought. Barry Bonds is a cheater. He knows he is, I know he is, everyone knows he is. He stole the home run record away from a man who worked to fairly breakthat record, is blasphemy. Bond's talent for angering the media has also been extraordinary too, so his "star" in the public eye isn't any good either.
Barry Bonds has become the posterchild for the the larger problem ; cheating in Major League Baseball. Steriods, and now Human Growth Hormone (HGH), have become the only way to compete in the game. The general rule of thumb is no longer "cheat to get ahead", but instead "cheat to even be considered".
Barry deserves the grave he has dug himself. You cheat, you lose. And the United States is notoriously one of the most forgiving public bases. If given the opportunity to forgive, we do. Barry has expressed no such sympathy or remose, and he has never showed any kind of sympathy whatsoever, and THAT is something he deserves. You show no respect, you don't get any back.

Don't Stop with Bonds

All you have to do is look at his baseball cards. Barry Bonds went from a skinny player known for his combination of speed and hitting to a player that looks like he is from the WWE and needs an armored truck on his elbow and ankle just to make it to first base safely. I understand there is such a thing as weight training and it can make a significant improvement, but not as quickly as it did for Bonds. Secondly, look at his home run totals. He only has one season that he hit over 50 home runs. That season just happened to be his famouys 2001 where he totaled 73 home runs. He Barry Bonds was an easy target for the media since he has always turned a cold shoulder to all news outlets. Roger Clemens is also accused of steroid use and the same arguments of body build and statistics through his old age can be used to support the accusation, but he is beloved by the nation and media alike. No one pursues those accusations as passionately because of Roger Clemens' personality. Barry Bonds did cheat, but he is not the only high profile player that ought to be investigated. This investigation needs to be thorough and exstensive leaving no one and I mean no one out of it.

Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds. His name angers sports fans across America and across the world. The home run king is no longer one of America's past times greatest heroes, but now one of America's greatest zeros. He took the crown away in an illegal way, although like many others he took performance enhancers that didn't involve Wheaties and lifted gallons of milks. Bonds was one of the games greatest hitters before the 'roids. He was an outstanding hitter at Arizona State, where he starred as a Sun Devil. He continued his success as a Pittsburgh Pirate with minimal power and great speed. I don't dislike him for that portion of his career; in fact, I loved him for his play during that time period. He was exciting, stealing bases, and hitting the gaps. Now he's older, much slower, and ravaged by steroids. He comes off as an unlikable person. Many have spoke out against him including Bob Costas, Curt Schilling, and many others. When Bonds hit 756, much of the sports world immediately began counting down the days until another great hitter (cough hopefully Alex Rodriguez in the year 2013) will usurp Bonds of his title.

Adventures in Multiple platform

Old geezers such as me might see this as some mighty leap into cyberspace but I'm pretty confident it's just "one small step" into a heavily populated area. The plan is for this to be a very interesting semester when it comes to getting our work and our processes "out there." As Paul McCartney says in "Mr. Bellamy," "Steady, lads. Easy does it. Don't frighten him. Here we go."