Bonds 756....think it's legit?

[doug hodder]

He did it...but what do you all think about it being a fair deal? Doug

[emiller]

I'm a Dodger fan so I don't like the Giants but find myself cheering for Bonds. The issue of steriods has put a cloud over him. But in the 1980's and even into the 90's steroids has been around all sports even in high school. Not saying it's right. I also see people upset because Bonds doesn't let the media or people get into his world. I say it's still a acomplishment.

[Loader]

First, let me say, I do think Bonds used Perfromance Enhancing Drugs of some type, and I think he knew what he was doing.
However, I think the media has taken this and really blown it way up, bigger than it needs to be.

The PED do not affect his eye-hand coordination, and the natural ability he has to hit the long ball. Remember, his Father (Bobby) and his Godfather (Willy Mays) had a lot to do with his "know how" on hitting the ball.

Legit you ask Doug? Well, it is as legit as baseball allowed it to be; they made this Monster, they have to slay it!

[emiller]

Just think how many home runs he would have right now if teams wouldn't walk him so much.

[halfdome, Danny]

It's all about fairness. He deserves the recognition, both of them, so I say add the + or * or whatever their wanting to do to make history correct. Let the old record breakers and any future clean record breakers go down in history without the + or *. Danny

[wolfix]

Cycling is my hobby and as we have seen the last few years with the Lance Armstrong accusations, PEDS [Performance enhancing drugs] is a major part of cycling. I was a competitor back in the 70's when it was well known among us about the drugs. I am familiar with steroids, not as a actual user, but being a gym rat.
And you are right Loader, MLB created this monster. But steroids will help send that ball over the fence. Hand-eye cordination, coupled with increased power is a mighty big boost. This is not to say that Barry Bonds is a talented athlete. Steroids cannot take Joe Average into the hall of Fame, but it can take a talented baseball player much farther. Andwe have seen more big home run years by other baseball players in the last 15 years then we have seen in a total combined in baseball in it's history. Something has dramatically changed hitting in the game.
clean game.

[Ira]

It's no big deal to me, but part of that is bias because he's not a Yankee. McGuire's record was no big deal to me either, but you can't ignore the steroid cloud in either case:

Steroids make you stronger, and you have to be strong to hit home runs.

But the BIG reason I don't care about these records is that the ball has become so much livelier, they pull the fences in, and they even BUILD the dang parks to favor a certain home team hitter.

It's like what basketball has become--EVERYONE on a team can dunk the ball, but they won't raise the basket because people want to see scoring. And they won't significantly raise the pitcher's mound.

Just seems like in the old days, guys like Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth--they were one a million.

Bonds? It's like ho hum.

[Loader]

Agree, the PEDs do enhance strength and help recover from injury, and we all know that he has had problems with his knees and legs.

However, before we place and * in the record book, I think he needs to be "convicted" for the lack of a better term of actually, knowingly using the PEDS.

Again, not defending Bonds; remember many of these PEDs were not deemed illegal until recently.

Wonder what the world would be saying if Barry was a more likeable guy?

[War Eagle]

I like Hank Arron, he is a nice guy. I hate Barry Bonds, he is not a nice guy (or atleast that is what the media shows me). I don't have an opinion on the PED because I do no tbelieve they put the ball over the fence. I'm a big guy and played baseball and softball for many years and never came close to hitting the ball over the fence while these little sh%$s hit HRs left and right. Getting that ball to fly has more to do with bat speed and timming. He did it, I don't put alot of stock in the PED but I just don't like him.

Come on A-Rod. I don't have an opinion about him but I think he's got the best chance of breaking the record again. I just don't want BB to hold on to it for 30+ years like The Hammer did.

[Dixie Flyer]

To Bonds.

Hank's the man!

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

He hit every single on of 'em, of course it's legit...
As far as I'm concerned proffesional athletes should be allowed to take what ever type of performance enhancer if (Real big on the if) they so choose to do so.
I was offered steroids back in college, but chose not to take them because of the health risks...
Was even hounded to the point of being ridiculed for not taking them from the gorillas that were.
A few of those gorillas are no longer living...
I think baseball and all proffesional sports created an ugly monster by banning them... Let's catch cheaters and soil the sports world.
I think strong education about their side effects would have been a better way to go...

[Elumia]

If you have an issue with PED's then the greater question is, What constitutes PED's?

What about the cortisone shot so you can play without pain?
What about "legal" pain killers?
Lasik surgery to get better vision? Some athletes have had surgery to make their vision 20/10 or 20/15. If you can see the ball earlier or better isn't that "cheating" too? See this http://slate.com/id/2116858/

What performance enhancing substance that is "legal" now might be banned later? For example Mark McGwire used "andro" it was not a banned substance at the time, but now is, should that ensure he has an asterik by his stats? Why is Big Mac not a villifed as Bonds?

Where is the hue and cry about steriods in the NFL? Shawne Merriman can test positive for steriods and still be voted to the pro bowl! He also caused a career ending hit on KC Chiefs running back Priest holmes. I was litening to ESPN radio and they said he was the best linebacker in the NFL. You would hardly hear the same about Barry Bonds....

And as a final note, what sporting event can you watch without an advertisement for "male" performance enhancement? I rest my case....

[caseydog]

His home run hitting rate nearly doubled after he roided up. In my book, that means the roids should get half the credit for the record.

If your kids want to be a hero, I guess they better start doping now. That's how you get ahead these days. I can see it now, the starting line-up of the local high-school football team averages 6-foot-four tall, and 295 pounds in the year 2017. Better living through chemistry, I guess.

CD

[caseydog]

He hit every single on of 'em, of course it's legit...
As far as I'm concerned proffesional athletes should be allowed to take what ever type of performance enhancer if (Real big on the if) they so choose to do so.
I was offered steroids back in college, but chose not to take them because of the health risks...
Was even hounded to the point of being ridiculed for not taking them from the gorillas that were.
A few of those gorillas are no longer living...
I think baseball and all proffesional sports created an ugly monster by banning them... Let's catch cheaters and soil the sports world.
I think strong education about their side effects would have been a better way to go...

So, if bionic limbs become feesible, and someone is willing to have their arms cut off and replaced with bionics, should they be allowed to play and set new records?

When does "sports science" cross the line and become cheating?

[Elumia]

CD if you read my post it already has! Athletes are gettting eyes surgery on perfectly good vision in order to see better, to what end - IMPROVE PERFORMANCE!!!!

MArk