I'm still amazed at all the singular attention being paid Barry Lamar Bonds - as if he is the only one to have used PE drugs. I uderstand yahoos on talk radio will say things like make him retire, kick him out of the game, blah, blah, blah. But hey, he got tested twice last year and steroids weren't illegal when he is alleged to have done them. History (and people today) should look at this in context of the ERA. He was not alone in his cheating - he was simply the best in the cheating era. Even when the players knew the tests were coming, something like 50 players tested positive. So Bonds was not even close to being along, yet he is the only one that has not been caught that people want to punish.
Its not just the Yahoos either. The amazing part is the same people that are very quick to hide behind their constitutional rights "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances" apparently want to take away those of someone else "No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."
A couple quick thoughts:
ReplyDelete1) Bonds has repeatedly told the media he does not use PE drugs. He also told that to a grand jury - if he was lying, that's perjury, which is illegal. And Remember the firestorm about Giambi a year ago? That was because he admitted he used. The attention was squarely on him for a couple months. Bonds basically got a pass because he said he didn't use. Which was a lie. It's okay for people to be pissed off at that. (Just like people are pissed at Palmeiro.)
2) I don't get your Constitution argument. Is anyone saying criminal charges (outside, of course, of perjury) should be brought against Bonds? I see this as a baseall matter.
It's also worth noting that Bonds is not the only one pictured on the cover of the book.
ReplyDeleteGood point about who is on the cover. I wonder if there are as many juicy details on Giambi - all we are hearing is about Bonds.
ReplyDeleteIf it can be proven Bonds perjured himself, then by all means prosecute him (and Palmeiro - "I have never used steroids.") But I still don't see how that relates to baseball and/or forcing to retire. He didn't break any rules at the time, unlike Rose.
The constitution argument is that the media are the first to quote their rights, but now are immediately being judge and jury with Bonds and handing out punishments yet Giambi is voted comeback player of the year?
All right, you're talking about the media - fine with me. I do think whoever leaked the grand jury testimony should be uncovered and prosecuted.
ReplyDeleteSo here's a question: when exactly were steroids against the rules in baseball? They first tested in 2003, so I assume it was no later than then. If there's evidence of Barry using after that point, are you ok with the scrutiny?
On a side note, Bonds got granted immunity for his testimony - except for immunity from perjury prosecution. What was the immunity for? Is there concern that he violated the Controlled Substances Act? That's all I can think of.
That's a good question on the immunity and also goes to show how arrogant Bonds is - even with immunity he most likely lied.
ReplyDeleteAnother good question on when it became illegal - I actually think you'd have to say 2004. 2003 was anonymous data collection.
Am I okay with the scrutiny if there is "evidence." Well, who's evidence is it? And what punishment is there for it? There is no test for HGH and Bonds is alleged to have used it - I don't know if the timeline in the book extends to 2004 and beyond. Who knows who else used HGH. when did the clear and the cream become detectable. We're pretty sure Sheff used them. I just don't know where you draw the line. Actually to answer your question, yes there should be scrutiny. Hell, even pull together a special committee as GR suggests. Its just maddening to hear everyone on their high horses saying things like "If Barry had dignity he would walk away now" or "If he admitted what he did, people would forgive him."
Then we pretty much agree. The argument "If he admitted what he did, people would forgive him" basically got shot down by what happened to Pete Rose...actually, I take that back. Had Rose written a less self-serving book, and didn't make money off it, people may have forgiven him. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteOh, and while I do think he should walk away, it's not because of "dignity" or "for baseball's sake". It's because if he doesn't, the world will end soon.
ReplyDeleteAlso, no one cares about Ryan Franklin, Manny Alexander, and some other guys who got caught...
ReplyDeletePeople cared about Palmiero...
People care about Bonds...
And here's what I think...
People get angry when their heroes do something to lower them in their eyes.
Bonds brought a ton of happiness to a lot of people who wondered at his power and ability. They strove to be like him. Then, their idol was a fake...That's why people are taking Bonds so personally.
Signed,
Dr. Phil (McCrevice)
It is amazing when you look at the stars theory.
ReplyDeleteBut the better examples may be the Manny Alexanders or "Jeremy" Giambi. Here were guys that were fringe players at best, took steroids and made it to the big leagues (career earnings $2.25MM and $3.75MM, respectively). Without the juice, their in the bushes. They took jobs away from people.
Jason and Barry would have been in the majors without the juice.
I know its tow different arguments, but you don't hear that side of it.
Hell if someone came to me and said "take this pill and you can play big league baseball, but it will take 10 years off your life" - I would have said hell yeah when I was 18 or 22. Maybe even today.
Again, I think a lot of people are pissed off about being lied to. I'm not sure Jeremy Giambi or Manny Alexander ever denied using. (Also, Jeremy's lifetime OBP was .377, so I think he'd have been a MLBer without the roids. Manny Alexander, not so much.)
ReplyDelete