We can argue that substance abuse (or use of substances) has always dominated the game. Babe Ruth drank gallons of beer (and anything else in liquid form); many others were right up there with him. We have heard stories of pitchers throwing no-hitters while they were on acid or smoking pot, and tobacco in all its forms has always haunted MLB. Many of the members of the Hall of Fame were no doubt addicted to alcohol, tobacco, and who knows what else.
So the inconvenient truth here—besides the fact that Bonds has yet to be proven guilty of anything—is that if MLB is not on trial, how fair is this whole thing and what is the point? Why single out Bonds (or Roger Clemens later this year)? They have records in the books alongside other guys who may or may not have enhanced themselves too. Another truth is we will never be completely sure whose records are tarnished and whose are not. At this point no one is going to do anything about it either.
The people are the ones who pay to see games, who buy the merchandise, and keep this game (and all sports) successful. It has been more than obvious that fans do not care about the juice that players used; they care more about the effects of that substance. Baseball fans have a love affair with the game, but most especially with the home run. The homer is the Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise of baseball. It's the white knight. People don't go to see no hitters; they want a home run derby. That's why that homer contest the night before the All Star game is actually bigger than the game that follows it.
By no means am I advocating substance use or abuse. I wish players only used their natural talent and skills on the field, but I also wish all politicians could be trusted. Probably not something to expect in my lifetime or yours. In the meantime, Barry Bonds is on trial for perjury, but if he is guilty so is MLB, the owners, and fans of the game, and that is an inconvenient truth that no one wants to handle.
Photo Credit: AP
Article comments
1 - charlie doherty
The whole reason Bonds is on trial is because of the BALCO case and Bonds saying he didn't do PEDS under oath.
The inconvenient truth for the plaintiffs in this case is that without Greg Anderson cooperating with the info he has on Bonds, there will be no shot of him being found guilty. Therefore, it's just a waste of time.
At least with Roger Clemens, there's a real shot at the government proving he lied to Congress, given the evidence his former trainer Brian McNamee has.
2 - christoracle
culpable and complicity are what they are, responsible for blame, for the addictive drive to find fault, to feel a sense of acheivment accomplishment, to feel smart. we decode the mystery to find out who it was instead of why it was and how and when we plan to fix it. the common ground right and wrong share is interest, and there's neither right or wrong if im interested in learning about. we all go through life together finding out new things as we go, we dont want anything more than the other guy and thats to win... giving our best effort means to cheat sometimes, finding out who cheated in order to place a degree on how despicable is just another clear confession of how guilty we feel for our insecurity, knocking down others in order to feel good about ourselves.
3 - Caroline Gerardo
In ten years we will discover PEDS cause horrible brain cancer. We will have teary eyes.
Children feel it necessary to order human growth hormone to achieve a sports level that is based on lies. Our culture is responsible. The game won't be as thrilling, but I am for blood tests before you go on the field. The grass will be green in Central Park without fertilizer, chemical enhancements and crack.