Bonds Is In The News, But Do You Care?
Published July 20, 2006
Barry Bonds is back in the news. However, at at least half of the world couldn't care less, this, according to one poll conducted by ESPN.com.
The poll asks the public whether or not they feel Bonds will be indicted for charges stemming from alleged steroid use. The choices are "Yes," "No," and "Don't care." As of this afternoon, 50 percent checked off the latter. Also, as of this writing, 49 states were leaning towards "don't care," marked in green on the graphic below.
The grand jury investigating the case is set to expire today and Bonds' jailed personal trainer would be subject to release if that happened. The trainer, Greg Anderson, was jailed in contempt earlier this month for refusing to testify before the grand jury. It is said that his testimony would be pivotal in any criminal proceedings against the number two home run king in baseball.
Bonds has already been indicted by two San Francisco Chronicle reporters in the book Game of Shadows. Sports Illustrated immediately followed in a March 7 article "exposing" Bonds' steroid use.
Sports Illustrated legal expert Lester Munson predicted April 14 that the grand jury would likely indict Bonds:
I thought they would have indicted Bonds a year ago, so in my opinion, based on what I know, the likelihood of an indictment is very high.
One thing hurting Bonds' public relations image is that he continuously refuses to discuss anything related to steroids with the media and usually will not talk to a reporter unless it is earmarked "about baseball." Bonds did try to loosen his image during light hazing of the San Francisco Giants' new players during spring training sessions. During these, Bonds donned drag attire while the new players took part in an American Idol spoof.
Things remain rocky for the near 20-year veteran, and an indictment would almost certainly seal the fate in the baseball annals and even call his Hall of Fame hopes - which are otherwise a lock - into question.
However, maybe Bonds isn't doing it all wrong.
After all, people don't care anymore.
- Bonds Is In The News, But Do You Care?
- Published: July 20, 2006
- Type: News
- Section: Sports
- Filed Under: Sports: Baseball
- Writer: John Guilfoil
- John Guilfoil's BC Writer page
- John Guilfoil's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
Curt Schilling must have stuffed the ballot for Alaska.
It is a shame that being a good athelete, being well paid and having fans is nor enough for some sports figures. Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs with a 154 game schedule and the aid of hot dogs, beer and beutiful women. He and players like Joe DiMaggio were real men. Bonds should step down now, it is the last manly thing he can do!
Barry Bonds is for real I feel bad for the man we don't have enough evidence to say he took steroid but for nbow he is the HOME RUN KING.
Who cares about bonds.
With all the allegations of steriod abuse, they should stripe him of his home runs, all of them.
They would do that to any other high level sport, olymipics included.
He is a cheater.
I personally think this is a blatant attempt to prevent him from breaking the record of home runs. hmmm black man is #2 in history for home runs in america's favorite sport...let's accuse him of steroid use; if that doesn't work, we'll just get him caught up in the "system"...
It never fails that when someone of notoriety gets out of control, there's always some sordid scandal that takes them down...couldn't catch Al Capone for his crime, so you get him on tax evasion...once he was in there, he contracts syphillis...yet everyone at Alcatraz was tested for syphillis...hmmm (yeah, i know, completely off subject but whatever)
Are they going to punish only Bonds? Or are they going to punish all the professional athletes who have taken controlled substances?
PUNISH BONDS-----PUNISH ALL!
Bonds is a bum. Kick him and anyone else caught cheating out of any sport and strip them of all accomplishments. NO HALL OF FAME!
To wttychrm1: do your research. Henry "Hammerin' Hank" Aaron holds the home run record for MLB. Last time I checked he IS black, one of the classiest players ever and he realizes that he IS a role model! Have some class Barry, quit at 743.
Did I mention that Henry Aaron hit his home runs without steroids, mostly in pitcher's parks against the truly fearsome pitchers of the 50's & 60's when the mound was 3" taller than today. Barry deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, too (if he doesn't pass Hank).
He has used steroids for some time and it has been very obvious but I could care less about baseball. I just do not understand why the govt gets involved in this at all. The only real reason everyone is up in arms about Bonds is he is not a hero of the game instead he is a villan. Records are to be broken bonds is just doing it using artifical power to keep his body functioning long enough to do it.
the racist argument used by bonds defenders is so laughable that to respond to it is a waste of time...but you did a good job considering!
and that fact that almost half the people - not all - don't care about bonds isn't all that surprising in a country where the middle is where most people pretty much sit.
furthermore, espn also conducted a poll about whether or not people thought bonds lied and used steroids and an astounding 80% of the respondents felt that bonds did lie/use.
Re comment #12;
Right on, turnamonsta! If those great hurlers of the '50s-'70s (Gibson, Koufax, Marichal, Bunning, Ford, Seaver, Carlton, Tiant, Ryan, Jenkins, Drysdale, Hunter, Fingers, Palmer, Perry, Spahn, Roberts, Sutton, etc) pitched these days, the overall batting average in both leagues would be 20 points lower.
And keep in mind, Aaron, Mays and Ruth hit their homers BEFORE the ball was juiced.
Does anyone really belive something will happen? If Bonds goes down, so do a lot of others. We can't help that he isn't personable or even approachable. He has set it up this way by being so aloof. He hides behind his fears of self because WE put any type of noterity up on a pedestal to admire and then when WE are not pleased WE destroy it for not living up to our expectations. Wake up people, life is short, play naked. Do not stop enjoying baseball or anything else in life that brings you joy. But, start living your own life not some entertainers. It does not matter in the bigger scheme of things. I am and (have been my entire life) a baseball player and lover. It is after all only a game. Whether it is of shadows, juice, or rawhide.
People DO care about sports figures--they are role models for our children, like it or not. Bonds is a cheater; cheaters should not finish first. I have faith in "Bud" Sielig to do the right thing for baseball (he always does). Baseball is a wonderful institution & should be nurtured & protected as our national game. People like Bonds have no place in our beloved baseball. The Home Run King is still Hank Aaron. Bonds should not be in the Hall of Fame.
People DO care about sports figures--they are role models for our children, like it or not. There is no room in baseball for cheaters & he is just that! I look to "Bud" Selig to do the right thing for baseball, and he always does. We must nurture & protect our beloved national game! The "home run king" is still Hank Aaron, a class act with no asterisk attached. Barry Bonds has no place in baseball or the Hall of Fame. Just an opinion. . .
All this wasted attention is because sports is so over-celebrated in our society.
If you really like baseball go to a highschool or college game instead of the hysterical pro version. It's a lot more fun and more satisfying.
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It's nice to see that Alaska, at the very least, still cares.