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Barry Bonds' Home Run Record Tainted by Mechanical Device
www.editorandpublisher.com ^ | August 06, 2007 | Michael Witte

Posted on 08/06/2007 10:19:31 AM PDT by my_pointy_head_is_sharp

NEW YORK Beyond his alleged steroid use, Barry Bonds is unquestionably guilty of the use of something that confers extraordinarily unfair mechanical advantage: the “armor” that he wears on his right elbow. Amid the press frenzy over Bonds’ unnatural bulk, the true role of the object on his right arm has simply gone unnoticed.

This is unfortunate, because by my estimate, Bonds’ front arm “armor” has contributed no fewer than 75 to 100 home runs to his already steroid-questionable total.

Bonds tied Henry Aaron’s home run record of 755 on Saturday night and will go for the new standard this week back at home in San Francisco. As a student of baseball – and currently a mechanics consultant to a major league baseball team -- I believe I have insight into the Bonds "achievement." I have studied his swing countless times on video and examined the mechanical gear closely through photographs.

For years, sportswriters remarked that his massive "protective" gear – unequaled in all of baseball -- permits Bonds to lean over the plate without fear of being hit by a pitch. Thus situated, Bonds can handle the outside pitch (where most pitchers live) unusually well. This is unfair advantage enough but no longer controversial. However, it is only one of at least seven unfair advantages conferred by the apparatus.

The other six:

1) The apparatus is hinged at the elbow. It is a literal "hitting machine" that allows Bonds to release his front arm on the same plane during every swing. It largely accounts for the seemingly magical consistency of every Bonds stroke.

(Excerpt) Read more at editorandpublisher.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: athletes; barrybonds; bondbashing; breadandcircuses; mlb; sports; steroids
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To: Badeye

Basebore...who cares? I quit caring as a kid when they went on strike in the 70s. I have no idea who even wins the series and really don’t care.


21 posted on 08/06/2007 10:32:49 AM PDT by WKUHilltopper
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
If you ask me (like my advice really matters)... MLB needs to contract. The talent "pool" is stretched way too thin. And the die-hard support for some teams isn't there.

Some teams are just venues for opposing "old" school teams to show off their stripes.

For example... I went to a Tampa Devil Ray game at Tropicana Field two years ago (saw the D.R. play Baltimore and Boston)... these games were "home" games for the visitors. Must really be "fun" for the home team Rays when there are "boos" when the Ray's pitcher attempts a pick-off move to first.

Tampa held their own on the field, but they just don't seem to have the die-hard support.

Last Friday night I watched on tv the H-town Astros vs the Florida Marlins game. There must have been 4,000 total in attendance. Very much like the Expos games I saw in Montreal in '01. Brutal.

#23

22 posted on 08/06/2007 10:34:07 AM PDT by Trajan88 (www.bullittclub.com)
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp

It’s amazing how many people who “don’t care” about Bonds feel the need to take time out of their busy schedules and compose posts to let us all know it. ;)


23 posted on 08/06/2007 10:34:15 AM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ("Wise men don't need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp

I’m shocked, I tell you. Shocked!!!


24 posted on 08/06/2007 10:34:56 AM PDT by Constitutions Grandchild
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp

So what's the problem? Looks normal to me ... ;o)


25 posted on 08/06/2007 10:35:06 AM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
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To: Trajan88
The talent "pool" is stretched way too thin

Agreed. And, there's a very good reason for that....to many teams.

26 posted on 08/06/2007 10:37:53 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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Cue the "Bionic Man" theme...

27 posted on 08/06/2007 10:38:18 AM PDT by mvpel (Michael Pelletier)
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To: Ben Mugged; Toddsterpatriot

"I'm not an athlete. I'm a professional baseball player."
- John Kruk

28 posted on 08/06/2007 10:38:59 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: RepublitarianRoger

29 posted on 08/06/2007 10:39:06 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: Hegewisch Dupa

That is ridiculous that they grand fathered him.
I did not know that.


30 posted on 08/06/2007 10:41:12 AM PDT by Holicheese (Zap Razdowler Rules!)
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
Great. Another reason to despise Barry Bonds.

I need that about as much as another reason to vote against Hillary! Rodham (Clinton).

It's not like MLB is going to do anything about it.

31 posted on 08/06/2007 10:41:49 AM PDT by gridlock (You cannot coexist with somebody who wants you dead.)
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp

hrm.. i woner if i can get one of these to help with my golf swing?


32 posted on 08/06/2007 10:42:16 AM PDT by absolootezer0 (stop repeat offenders- don't re-elect them!)
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
This is unfortunate, because by my estimate, Bonds’ front arm “armor” has contributed no fewer than 75 to 100 home runs to his already steroid-questionable total.

I'm getting tired of this. If the author wants to step his ass up to the plate and pop off the difference (655 home runs) go for it. Otherwise, shut up. Did Bonds use steroids? Don't know don't care. How would Hank Aaron have done today? Babe Ruth would have been kicked out of the league long ago for substance abuse.

I'm not looking to Bonds as some sort of idol. And if a kid does that says more about the parenting skills of the parent than whether or not Bonds is a good role model. In today's age, every player out there is doing something that makes them better and stronger than their counterparts from just 20 years ago. If the product is legally subscribed or can be purchased OTC then so be it. It doesn't detract one bit from what he's done.

A-Rod just cracked 500. Let's see what he's doing 5 years from now when he's chasing this record. And when he passes it (which he most likely will) all the naysayers of Bonds and busybodies can shut up about the 'damage' Bonds has done to the sport as the HR king.

33 posted on 08/06/2007 10:42:22 AM PDT by billbears (Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. --Santayana)
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To: Bladerunnuh

She’s not that attractive.


34 posted on 08/06/2007 10:42:28 AM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: RepublitarianRoger

My dad always said that baseball lost its appeal the day they took Dizzy Dean off the air.


35 posted on 08/06/2007 10:42:39 AM PDT by A_Tradition_Continues (THE NEXT GENERATION CONSERVATIVE)
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To: Bladerunnuh; All

Look at the “hands” on that self-styled mistress. Looks like any ‘roids he obtained went to feed the kitty. LOL.

As to story in chief, that Bonds had help, OK now all the Olympic track stars make millions of dollars in endorsements and appearance fees. (Jim Thorpe was stripped of Olympic gold medals for accepting a few dollars in a baseball game). They use starter blocks (Jesse Owens had to dig a little hole in the cinders track to stick his toes in). Look at the monster drivers golfers now use!

Yes, we are talking about games. So let us not get too carried away with it.


36 posted on 08/06/2007 10:42:52 AM PDT by shalom aleichem
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp

I consider his entire career bogus, who cares about this loser?


37 posted on 08/06/2007 10:43:31 AM PDT by Scythian
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To: my_pointy_head_is_sharp
Good Luck Barry. Oh, the mistress looks like a skank. You can do better.
38 posted on 08/06/2007 10:45:12 AM PDT by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: Lost Highway

Gibson would have put one up his sizable butt.
Each time out.


39 posted on 08/06/2007 10:46:27 AM PDT by steve8714 (Spiderpig..Spiderpig..does whatever a spiderpig does...can someone get that out of my head?)
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To: woofer

imagine a fn protest where fans add an “*” next to his nme in books in bookstores


40 posted on 08/06/2007 10:47:12 AM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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