Fox News: Ban Bonds?

October 25, 2006

As I write this, my beloved Cardinals are an hour and a half away from playing game three of the World Series against pleasant surprise AL champs Detroit. And I'm watching the first WS in a while, for one reason, and one only: I'm a Cardinal fan. I'm NOT a baseball fan. Today's column gives the final straw that broke the camel's back. It's three words: Steroids, and Barry Bonds.

Barry Bonds is the son of hustling, likable Bobby Bonds, who played his best years with San Francisco and California. He finished third in 1973 for the NL MVP award with a .283 average and 43 stolen bases.

When his son Barry debuted in 1986, he was the same wiry, singles-hitting, base stealing type of hitter his father was. Only he certainly wasn't known for being likable.

As the years went by and the McGwire/Sosa rivalry became the talk of the nation, Bonds, according to the book Game of Shadows, became jealous. The book states that he also embarked on a program of steroid use designed to bulk him up and get some of that home run-hitting attention.

Bonds has admitted to taking steroids. The fact that he thought he was taking mineral oil (under his tounge?) in no way lessens the impact of this admission.

What has baseball done about it?

Absolutely nothing.

Next year, he'll be a DH for an AL team (another situation which is a blight on the game) and will probably see enough fat fastballs and hanging curves to break the lifetime record of the immortal Hank Aaron.

When Bonds hit 72 homers in 2001, that's when I stopped watching baseball. At the time, I gave credit to the short right field fence at the new Giants ballpark.

Now we know the truth. I now believe Roger Maris's single season record is the official one. I also believe admitted or proven cheaters should be banned from the game. That net may well snag more players much more affable that Bonds. So be it.

Fans of Bonds, relax. Baseball will never have the guts to do the right thing. Enjoy watching this abominable “superstar” break a record next year he is not entitled to.

Here's today's FamilyFirst site. Feel free to add your two cent's worth to the debate.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,187177,00.html