Should Bonds be in the Hall of Fame?

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/10/6 | Tom FitzGerald

[SmithL]

He may have hit some 300 home runs with the help of performance-enhancing drugs. And his exploits since 1998 may carry an asterisk big enough to require a wheelbarrow.

Even though Barry Bonds is still a Hall of Famer in the eyes of many voters, he may have trouble getting the ballot support he needs, at least during the first year he's eligible.

If this is the final year for the Giants slugger, he would become eligible for the Hall on the December 2011 ballot. An informal Chronicle survey of voters found several who say they'll vote for him for enshrinement in Cooperstown, N.Y., despite the latest blast of evidence against him, this time in book form.

"I'd definitely vote yes,'' said Doug Krikorian of the Long Beach Press-Telegram. "To tell you the truth, I'm not that outraged by the whole steroids scenario. There's been cheating in baseball forever.''

"If I had a gun to my head to vote today, I'd say yes,'' said John Henderson of the Tampa Tribune. "The body of work was there, but it's a tough call with him. The debate that many voters will have is whether the things he did off the field outweigh what he did on it. It's an interesting ethical question. I'd hold my nose, but I'd say yeah."

Hal Bodley of USA Today said he wouldn't vote for Bonds. "I haven't seen the documentation of the book, but judging from what I've heard, I would say no today. I don't think anybody who taints the game, especially a home run hitter, should be considered.''

"I'm not going to vote for any of the current sluggers or pitchers on the first ballot,'' said Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. "It's my way of protesting the use of steroids. Beyond the first ballot,...

[SmithL]

NO!

[al_c]

Not until they allow Pete Rose to be inducted.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

We need to start a Hall of Infamy!

[Boston Blackie]

I would vote for both Rose and Bonds for the Hall of Shame.

[river rat]

If Bonds or ANY of the "Better Baseball through Chemistry" freaks are voted into the Hall of Fame -- on ANY vote, it should spell the death of professional Baseball and the Hall of Fame.

Baseball can not hope to retain any semblance of a revered sport with hallowed traditions and records, once it lowers itself to reward blatant cheaters.

It was difficult to withdraw all financial support of Baseball after the strike, but I did, -- it will be easy to totally ignore Baseball if it becomes a game of chemistry mutant freaks.

Semper Fi

[right right]

Only after Rose is admitted or the rolls are purged of those who have done worse.

[dakine]

Yes...

[oh8eleven]

No, and all records should be declared null and void.

[kevkrom]

Yes, but only if they create a "back alley" or "laboratory" section of the Hall.

[larryw408]

Did I miss something? In stark contrast with Rose, have the claims of Bonds' detractors been proven as anything more than hot air?

Being a jerk isn't enough to keep one out of the HoF (for if it were, the building would be mostly empty).

[BIGLOOK]

I'll see your "NO!" and raise you a "No!".

[cripplecreek]

No.

[SmithL]

I'll see your "NO!" and raise you a "No!".

Be Warned!

I'm not bluffing, and I refuse to fold.

[Travis McGee]

No.
(At least Pete Rose earned his baseball accolades without juice.)

[river rat]

"Did I miss something? In stark contrast with Rose, have the claims of Bonds' detractors been proven as anything more than hot air?"

Perhaps you missed the volume, extent and temperature of "Hot Air"... This link will take you to a source where it is clearly laid out.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/magazine/03/06/growth.doc0313/

Semper Fi

[Living Free in NH]

Should Bonds be in the Hall of Fame?

Sure, let him in. SOMEONE has to clean the bathrooms.

[oh8eleven]

Did I miss something?
Only what's been obvious to 99% of America for the last, oh, six to ten years. How long were you in that coma?

While I might want hard evidence to convict in a court of law, the fact that he, McGuire and Sosa "out of nowhere" started crushing Maris' 40 year old record is not by chance. It's also not by chance that all three at one time looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger and now look like broken down, abused farm animals.

Your comment regarding the players in the Hall of Fame merely proves your ignorance.

[andy58-in-nh]

One small problem. He didn't break any of baseball's rules by using steroids.

Yes, I believe he did:

 

[oh8eleven]

damnruserious
Since Mar 1, 2006

Welcome to FR.

One small problem. He didn't break any of baseball's rules by using steroids.
Write me again when Bonds gets suspended by MLB in a few days. Or if he suddenly decides to "retire."