Bonds...a contrary to the norm post

JT,
Don't think that anyone is disputing he is a great player, or rather hitter.

This is my concern. Our kids, our future baseball players. The future of baseball.

When my son was in 4th grade he was asked to write a paper on his favorite baseball player. This player doesn't play anymore but I enjoyed and remember his paper. It was about looking up to a person with integrity, to be able to play the great game someday like he did. To make a difference.

The kids of today are very smart, but our young players are impressionable. What would you say to your 10-11 year old son if he came home with a paper about his hero, Barry Bonds who broke the home run record? What do coaches tell their players about Bonds in discussion? I'll bet half of them don't even discuss it.

The game of baseball has already lost it's national pastime status by giving way to football. How are we to preserve this great game and make it AGAIN #1? By admiring players that have broken records by questionable means?

If you can explain that so that it makes sense to me, I am willing to listen.

Yes, it will all be a questionable era for many, but too many things point to the fact that this particular players accomplishments are QUESTIONABLE.

They might call this the "BARRY BONDS WITCH HUNT ERA" when it is done---if Bonds had not been previously disliked because of his surly attitude things might be different---the fact is NO major players in the bigs have been proven guilty of steroid use---how many have done it?


TPM---Football as the # 1 sport has more thugs and problems than baseball---seems nobody gets on their case--they pay the penalty and just keep on ticking


Truth be known, drugs, greenies et al , have been prevalent in baseball for more years than you can imagine---no sport is totally "clean"

TR,
This isn't about being a thug. It isn't about greenies and the everyday guy who plays for a few years. This is about breaking another man's hard earned record with questionable means. Doesn't that bother you? As stated he could have been a HOF WITHOUT anything. I hope he NEVER gets elected.

You didn't answer my question. Is that what you tell young players, oh it's ok, they do it in football? That is an EXCUSE. What happened to honesty and integrity?

Trust me...there is no way I would encourage my son (or me) to admire "Barry Bonds the person." What I admire is the accomplishment.
(yes, I am obviously a conflicted individual)