Yesterday I wrote that, while basically ambivalent about the whole Barry Bonds thing, he should be celebrated as the Home Run King...annointed to his inevitable spot in the Hall of Fame, and considered to be one of, if not the greatest player in the game today. He's never been caught, so we need to allow this. He's not a good guy, but the hall is full of not good guys.
I've changed my mind.
Afte listening to some of the true great minds on sports, Jim Rome, Mike Greenberg and Bob Costas, I've decided that I had everything wrong.
First on the topic of Bonds' "cheating". Yep, he hasn't been "caught". But he has admitted to using something he didn't realize was illegal. His entire body has ridiculously changed. Major allegations have flown about him, and in this litigious society we live in, he has not attempted any legal action. I can look the other way, but the bottom line is: he's not playing fair.
So he's not the only one not playing fair? He's Barry Freakin' Bonds! An analogy is like the President of the United States. He should be above reproach on every level...he's George Freakin' Bush. Barry wants to be regarded as the greatest, yet he's not acting like it!
Letting him into the Hall? Considering him the greatest? I've decided no. Instead of "allowing" bad guys into your sport's HOF, why don't we send a message to the next generation that says: not only do you need to be an athletic stud, you have to be a stud in society? It's the Hall of Freaking Fame!
To paraphrase Costas: it's clear that Barry is a tremendously talented and gifted athlete. Who, for obvious reasons, decided to modify his body to turn him into a superhuman uber-athlete. This modification didn't come by naturally or legally. And for that, we shouldn't be celebrating.
I've changed my mind.
Afte listening to some of the true great minds on sports, Jim Rome, Mike Greenberg and Bob Costas, I've decided that I had everything wrong.
First on the topic of Bonds' "cheating". Yep, he hasn't been "caught". But he has admitted to using something he didn't realize was illegal. His entire body has ridiculously changed. Major allegations have flown about him, and in this litigious society we live in, he has not attempted any legal action. I can look the other way, but the bottom line is: he's not playing fair.
So he's not the only one not playing fair? He's Barry Freakin' Bonds! An analogy is like the President of the United States. He should be above reproach on every level...he's George Freakin' Bush. Barry wants to be regarded as the greatest, yet he's not acting like it!
Letting him into the Hall? Considering him the greatest? I've decided no. Instead of "allowing" bad guys into your sport's HOF, why don't we send a message to the next generation that says: not only do you need to be an athletic stud, you have to be a stud in society? It's the Hall of Freaking Fame!
To paraphrase Costas: it's clear that Barry is a tremendously talented and gifted athlete. Who, for obvious reasons, decided to modify his body to turn him into a superhuman uber-athlete. This modification didn't come by naturally or legally. And for that, we shouldn't be celebrating.