Barry Bonds is a convicted felon who reigns, now and forever, as
baseball’s premier pharmaceutical freak.
That’s my view.
But it’s not everyone’s view of the man. Some still see him as a
baseball hero.
By David Ramsey – The Gazette
Barry Bonds is a convicted felon who reigns, now and forever, as baseball’s premier pharmaceutical freak.
That’s my view.
But it’s not everyone’s view of the man. Some still see him as a baseball hero. They see his 762 home runs and seven MVP awards, which causes their vision to grow blurry when it comes time to honestly examine his baseball sins.
Don’t get me wrong. Bonds is hardly the lone villain in our long national nightmare. Mark McGwire and Roger Clemens and Manny Ramirez and a few dozen others joined him in the crusade to turn a precious game, which doubles as America’s Pastime, into a chaotic circus.
This was no solo act. Bonds led a parade that threatened to forever ruin baseball.
I celebrated Wednesday when Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice. One stubborn juror was all that prevented him from also being convicted of one count of perjury.
The conviction delivered a sweet moment. Justice had prevailed as we were reminded, once again, it’s never a good idea to lie to your Uncle Sam.
But not everyone sees Bonds as a felonious freak. He’s seen by many as a victim, hounded relentlessly and needlessly by the federal court system.
Colorado Springs Sky Sox pitcher John Maine faced Bonds several times in the 2006 and 2007 seasons. He declines to offer excuses for Bonds, but wonders why the government spent so much time and money pursuing a baseball player.
“All the money, all the attention when there are bigger things going on?” Maine asked as he sat in front of his locker Thursday morning. “That’s a little insane, I think.”
And others see Bonds as an American sports hero, a giant of our age. I remain baffled and surprised by this response, but it’s always at least slightly fun to be baffled and surprised.
Sky Sox center fielder Willy Taveras got a far-away look in his eye Thursday morning when he talked about Bonds.
From 2004-2007, Taveras roamed the outfield for the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies and often experienced a frightening and thrilling sensation when he faced the Giants and saw a baseball player who resembled an NFL linebacker striding to the plate.
“I knew I had to get back, way back,” Taveras said, shaking his head. “Watching that guy from center field, it was unbelievable. Unbelievable. It was unbelievable.”
You might be getting the idea Taveras admires Bonds. He realizes there are serious charges against Bonds, but awaits clear evidence Bonds knowingly used performance-enhancing drugs. Until then, Taveras will decline to judge.
He looks forward to telling his son, Willy Jr., about his adventures against the greatest slugger of all time. That’s his view of Bonds. It’s not mine. Hank Aaron remains my Home Run King.
“The only thing I can say about Barry Bonds is I wish there would be another player born like that, with all that talent,” Taveras said. “I can tell my kid one day, ‘Hey, you know what, I played against Barry Bonds.’ I can tell him that guy was special.”
Taveras listened politely to my counterarguments about Bonds, who has been accused of employing Winstrol, Deca-Durabolin, human growth hormone, Trenbolone and testosterone decanoate to transform from skinny to immense. And that’s only a partial list.
The man’s shoulders multiplied in size, which is common. His head also grew, which is uncommon. He hit 358 home runs in five seasons . . . after he turned 36.
Taveras shrugged.
“Hey, you know what? I don’t think he has hurt the world.”
Willy, we’ll have to agree to disagree on that last remark.
