something i wrote on Bonds

[Bloody Nipples]

This is a little something I wrote on Bonds. DO comment, but DONT escalate this thread to more than 2 pages, please.



Barry Bonds is my favorite baseball player. I watched him hit his record 73rd home run in 2001 live in Pac Bell Park, his 500th, 600th, and 700th home runs on TV, and I watch, listen to, or attend nearly every Giants game. Throughout all of his recent amazing seasons, I never questioned his ability or the means by which he achieved such skill. I sat and watched with awe along with so many other baseball fans. Sure, there were always the cynics shouting “Roids!” with every swing, but I rarely listened to them. And when I did, I usually responded in Bonds’ defense, declaring that he was just a hard worker who kept himself in great condition.

However, now that Bonds has claimed that he thought he was taking “flaxseed oil,” not steroids, its clear to me that he is lying now and was probably lying before. Strangely, knowing that Bonds took steroids hasn’t changed my opinion of him one bit. Perhaps it’s due to some selfish desire to have my favorite player be the best of all time, but I still want to believe Bonds. For that same selfish reason, I am angry at Bonds. He shamed himself and his fans! A true hero or leader would always tell the truth, even if it incriminated him. Furthermore, a true hero would not take any action that might require explanation in the first place, especially if his natural abilities didn’t need a boost.

I guess Bonds is no different from most players, after all. I thought he was the one “Balco Bomber” telling the truth, but in reality he is just the latest in a long line of misguided baseball heroes. Babe Ruth was a heavy drinker, Mickey Mantle was a womanizer, Pete Rose was a gambler, and now Bonds is a liar. Bonds’ lies and actions have not only changed the way people view him, but also the way people think about sports stars. The Balco scandal is sports’ Watergate; Americans no longer blindly trust their heroes.

[Amazinz]

Nice post. I like it except the part where you compare Ruth's drinking to Bond's lying and steroid use.

[Bloody Nipples]

Nice post. I like it except the part where you compare Ruth's drinking to Bond's lying and steroid use.

I agree . I thought that part was a little bit of a stretch, but college admissions people dont really know that much about baseball, so I think its ok. Thanks for the compliments.

[Pacman]

This is a little something I wrote on Bonds. DO comment, but DONT escalate this thread to more than 2 pages, please.



Barry Bonds is my favorite baseball player. I watched him hit his record 73rd home run in 2001 live in Pac Bell Park, his 500th, 600th, and 700th home runs on TV, and I watch, listen to, or attend nearly every Giants game. Throughout all of his recent amazing seasons, I never questioned his ability or the means by which he achieved such skill. I sat and watched with awe along with so many other baseball fans. Sure, there were always the cynics shouting “Roids!” with every swing, but I rarely listened to them. And when I did, I usually responded in Bonds’ defense, declaring that he was just a hard worker who kept himself in great condition.

However, now that Bonds has claimed that he thought he was taking “flaxseed oil,” not steroids, its clear to me that he is lying now and was probably lying before. Strangely, knowing that Bonds took steroids hasn’t changed my opinion of him one bit. Perhaps it’s due to some selfish desire to have my favorite player be the best of all time, but I still want to believe Bonds. For that same selfish reason, I am angry at Bonds. He shamed himself and his fans! A true hero or leader would always tell the truth, even if it incriminated him. Furthermore, a true hero would not take any action that might require explanation in the first place, especially if his natural abilities didn’t need a boost.

I guess Bonds is no different from most players, after all. I thought he was the one “Balco Bomber” telling the truth, but in reality he is just the latest in a long line of misguided baseball heroes. Babe Ruth was a heavy drinker, Mickey Mantle was a womanizer, Pete Rose was a gambler, and now Bonds is a liar. Bonds’ lies and actions have not only changed the way people view him, but also the way people think about sports stars. The Balco scandal is sports’ Watergate; Americans no longer blindly trust their heroes.

I appreciate the honesty and sincerity of your post. Curious about the 2nd paragraph though -- you state "Strangely, knowing that Bonds took steroids hasn’t changed my opinion of him one bit. "

but in the same graph, you go on to say: "I am angry at Bonds. He shamed himself and his fans! A true hero or leader would always tell the truth, even if it incriminated him. Furthermore, a true hero would not take any action that might require explanation in the first place, especially if his natural abilities didn’t need a boost.
"

again, they're your feelings and they're totally valid. I just wonder if, upon reflection, maybe your opinion of him really has changed.



Thanks again though for the post. It's helpful for us to remember that while Bonds is such an easy target to others, it's a difficult thing to come to grips with this steroid crap -- when it's your hero who's at the center of it all.

[LBJackal]

Well I don't wanna ruin your sensual moment with Bonds' spirit, so I won't say much here.

But you're either a great negotiator, very gullible, or both if you believe he's clean though

[Bloody Nipples]

I appreciate the honesty and sincerity of your post. Curious about the 2nd paragraph though -- you state "Strangely, knowing that Bonds took steroids hasn’t changed my opinion of him one bit. "

but in the same graph, you go on to say: "I am angry at Bonds. He shamed himself and his fans! A true hero or leader would always tell the truth, even if it incriminated him. Furthermore, a true hero would not take any action that might require explanation in the first place, especially if his natural abilities didn’t need a boost.
"

again, they're your feelings and they're totally valid. I just wonder if, upon reflection, maybe your opinion of him really has changed.

I feel both ways. A part of me wants to believe him, and I still think he's awesome. At the same time, I know that most likely he is lying. I am angry at him for making me go through this "crisis," which I admit is selfish.

But you're either a great negotiator, very gullible, or both if you believe he's clean though

I know that he took steroids, and I know thats wrong, but I still like him. Does that clarify anything?


Again, thanks for the compliments.

[RugbyD]

I don't think there is any comparison to be made between Bonds' faults and the other you mention (depending on whatever the truth is behind Pete Rose). Bonds has besmirched the game of baseball and himself while the others just affected themselves.

[Bloody Nipples]

I don't think there is any comparison to be made between Bonds' faults and the other you mention (depending on whatever the truth is behind Pete Rose). Bonds has besmirched the game of baseball and himself while the others just affected themselves.

I wasnt exactly comparing the affects their acts had vs the affects Bonds' acts have had. I was essentially showing that there have been a bunch of "heroes" who havent exactly been model citizens. Thats all.

[El Gaupo]

I don't think there is any comparison to be made between Bonds' faults and the other you mention (depending on whatever the truth is behind Pete Rose). Bonds has besmirched the game of baseball and himself while the others just affected themselves.

Up front I'm bias, I hate Barry Bonds. I hate him even more for using steriods. At one time I had the utmost respect for his ability to hit a baseball while disliking him as a person.

Pete Rose was my childhood hero. While he has been voted out of baseball and is not in the HOF, nobody will dispute his play on the field.

Your post makes me sad.

[Tavish]

I'm positive Bonds took steroids. I'm positive it doesn't change my opinion on his accomplishments one bit.