Shocked
Posted on 03/07/2006 4:13:52 PM PST by indcons
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A new book about Barry Bonds says he used steroids for at least five seasons, casting new doubts about the baseball superstar's exploits as he seeks to pass Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time home run list.
The book "Game of Shadows", an excerpt of which was on the "Sports Illustrated" Web site on Tuesday, said the San Francisco Giants outfielder took steroids via injections, pills, creams and liquid starting in 1998. His most productive seasons followed while he was in his mid-to-late 30s, most notably in 2001 when he hit a single-season record 73 home runs.
"If it really is true, I'm sorry to hear it because it does cast a shadow," Babe Ruth's last surviving daughter, Julia Ruth Stevens, 88, told Reuters.
"I don't know if daddy were here what he would say," she continued. "He was always on the side of ballplayers."
Asked if it might be appropriate for Bonds to retire before passing her father in the home run record books, she said: "I certainly would not have any objections to that."
(Excerpt) Read more at today.reuters.com ...
"And I have absolutely no doubt that at least half of the people here would claim that Pete Rose belongs in the Hall, and all he did was violate a decades-old rule that's posted in every single clubhouse in major league baseball."
Stop trying to change the subject. I have posted proof he used steroids by reposting a quote that you introduced to the argument.
Bonds got better during those years, but so did everyone else in the National League, at twice the rate. No fall off in pitching talent by any chance.....
Now who's putting up the strawman. You know darn good and well that the only reason his batting average was up 30-50 points was because of the number of walks (especially intentionals) that didn't add into his at-bat totals.
Purely anecdotal:
Petrie Dish - Bret Boone - before juice testing vs. after.
Many of your points, however, are completely valid, particularly expansion, the subsequent dilution of the pitching pool, and new bandbox ballparks.
And, no, Rose doesn't belong in Cooperstown.
The incredibly shrinking strike zone, shorter walls, shorter distances down the line and power alleys, Mile High thin air, about 700 theories on a "juiced" ball....the list goes on and on.
For the umpteenth time, my point is improved performance (even in later years) alone is not hard evidence that a player is using performance enhancing drugs. The only real case anyone has presented is that "he's big, and he doesn't play like a forty year old."
Nolan Ryan didn't play like a forty year old. Tony Gwinn didn't play like a forty year old. Rickey Henderson didn't play like a forty year old. Superior athletes can often excel in later years. Keep in mind this is STILL the Barry Bonds that won THREE MVP's before anyone even thought of mentioning steroids in the same breath with his name. He is a superior baseball player.
There is no hard evidence that Barry Bonds knowingly used performance enhancing drugs including steroids to increase his performance. It's all conjecture.
Shocked
well, thats what the book is saying. that he did use, knew what he was using, and used them on himself.
But since the league won't do that because they will lose viewers and fans for his run as the greatest home run hitter ever--and money is the driving force in baseball (as it is everywhere)--here is another option.
Bonds has admitted using steroids, although he claims he didn't know (yarite) that the topical cream was steroids, there is a simple solution. Since the league is obviously NOT taking the use of preformance-enhancing drugs seriously, anyone like Bonds who either admits steroid use, or fails to pass a drug test (like Palmeiro) SHOULD be allowed to continue to play.
However, once steroid use is confirmed, they should be required to wear an "S" on their uniforms (like the Captain wears a "C") to identify them as steroid users or 'cheaters'. A asterisk would also be required for the record books.
I mean, I'm sure he could find some lawyer SOMEWHERE that might like to get his name in lights......lol
Nahhhh--no lawyer would ever want any case that might give him national publicity (rolling eyes).
None that I immediately found said "Ban him from baseball."
That's one of the reasons I pop-in and defend Bonds on these threads. I know a lot of people just don't like him because of his abrasive personality. They'll use any opportunity to crucify the guy. But the fact is, he is one of the greatest players in baseball history and put up some monster years before anyone accused him of using steroids, or before he allegedly started using steroids. I'd like to see someone recognize what he's accomplished, but no one ever does. They just slam him on steroid use, all on pure conjecture.
Sad that the Maris family was trotted around to honr guys who were cheating to break their husband/father's record.
That was a shame.
61 should be re-instated.
Prior to steroids Bonds was a very good player but he was never going to set the all time HR record. To some it seems apparent that his achievements have benefited more from steroids than have the records of any other player. Perhaps Barry was just more naturally testosterone deficient than the other steroid users.
Without help from a chemistry set, people don't change the way Bonds has. C'mon!
"Prior to steroids Bonds was a very good player but he was never going to set the all time HR record." Yeah right. Three MVP awards equal very good ball player. He had 292 homers for the first ten years of his career and had the prime 30-35 year old years ahead of him at that point, when he could challenge 40-50 home runs per year. He always had a shot at that home run record, so don't even go there.
"No one has presented a single piece of evidence other than "He looks big,...."
Why aren't you acknowledging that Bonds has admitted to (unknowingly) using steroids, ("the cream" and "the clear")??
The press didn't like Maris either at the time, because he was reticent to the pressures imposed by the press.
And, yes, Bonds' HR record is tainted, but not his status as a first class jerk.
I hope your home never catches on fire becuase you wouldn't call the fire department until flames were leaping out your windows....smoke?...smoke?...so what ma?...don't see any fire here!
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