Sports
Barry Bonds Continued
07/15/08 22:25
So, I must admit my pleasurable surprise. Previously I had posted about Barry Bonds’ steroid issues and whatnot. I find an ungracious sense of satisfaction in the fact that it is now almost inevitable that Mister Bonds won’t play for any team in Major League Baseball. It is so rare to see folks get their just desert in this life... but I will enjoy this one.
At the same time, I do wish the best for Barry Bonds’ family. I am sure that they have had to suffer a lot, and I offer my sincere condolences.
At the same time, I do wish the best for Barry Bonds’ family. I am sure that they have had to suffer a lot, and I offer my sincere condolences.
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Barry Bonds and the Honor of the MLB
07/27/07 21:25
Alright, I have a platform, a box on the corner, and so I get to put out my opinions. I do not like Barry Bonds. I’m a huge fan of Major League Baseball. I love going to Dodger games, following the league, and all the wonderful statistics (it is possible that Baseball is my favorite spectator sport because of the plethora of numbers and stats, but I leave such analysis for another time). The reality is, the sport has been a bit blemished for the past… decade? It was in 1998 that McGwire broke that hallowed record - the single season homerun record, eclipsing Roger Maris’ 61 hrs with 70 of his own. That was a great season. McGwire and Sosa were chasing that record, each taking a lead at different parts of the season, before McGwire put it away. Sosa still hit an amazing 66 hrs, but it wasn’t enough. Then, six years ago in 2001, Bonds decided that such a historic record should belong to him, and he swatted 73 out of parks around the States. An interesting little fact: Hank Aaron’s highest single season was 47 hrs (which just goes to show how long he played for).
So, we enter 2007 with more steroid scandals and the like. MLB has been tarnished with such ‘performance-enhancing’ allegations. It is really a travesty. And so I have two suggestions for the restoration of honor. Bonds represents the pinnacle of steroids and performance enhancement. There is no doubt that he has taken steroids, albeit he ‘didn’t know’ that’s what he was taking - he just happened to gain somewhat and start whacking the ball out of the park. Just check out the jumps in 1990 and 2000. Coincidence? I very highly doubt it. Enough of the allegations and speculation and onto the solutions.
Solution 1:
Bonds hits 755, and then retires. He gives back the rest of his salary and goes home. He ties the record, but he has the decency not to break it. Now, the odds of the this happening: 0.000000001 to 1. Why? Because Bonds is extremely driven, competitive, and really wants that record. He has gone through hell to get it: from emotional attacks to his body breaking down. He is not going to stop until he has passed this record, and we may even see him again next year.
Solution 2:
Every pitcher in the MLB intentionally walks Bonds for the rest of the season. Let him hit 755 and that is it. Don’t even pitch to him. What would this accomplish? It would keep the record intact for ARod to break in a few years (ARod will probably break any record Bonds sets, but that is the not point here, the point is the honor of the game). Moreover, it would send a clear message both to Bonds and to all those who have felt the dishonor to this excellent sport. ‘Yeah, some of us messed up and sought our own personal gain over the integrity and love of the game, but we are making up for it now. We are all clean, and we mean business.” And, who cares about the walks record? That sort of a stat is quite fitting for Bonds.