Column: Bonds: a scapegoat
Published July 11, 2007
At the All-Star Break, Barry Bonds is flirting with history. He is five home runs short of baseball's career home-run record. And it is ironic that at a time when Bonds battles character critiques and steroid allegations, he will break a record that means so much more than physical performance. The record's current owner, Hank Aaron, was the perfect ambassador as he battled racial prejudice and relative obscurity to break social barriers in both baseball and America.
Bonds has been the scapegoat of the negative steroids era, and when the record is broken, he will certainly carry the burden for a generation of "cheaters."
But what have Bonds and Co. cheated the fans from? Bonds continued the power surge that Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa started into the new millennium, and thereby, invited a new generation of fans to enjoy the game of their fathers. He opened the door for a youthful crop of players to make their name. Even if Bonds used steroids — which is still just an allegation — does it really matter?
It should. Babe Ruth never used steroids. And Aaron achieved his record through longevity and persevered through racism. How can we forget all that and replace it with a bunch of liars and scoundrels?
Today's generation of superstars have different incentives than those from the past. The public criticizes players for not only high salaries and poor character, but also for dwindling performance. They are entertainers, similar to an actor or musician. They just use their body instead of their voice.
And just like other entertainers, why should Bonds be punished for trying to be successful in his chosen profession? He and other baseball players aren't worth a pedestal but still deserve the opportunity for prosperity. Rather than fans and experts criticizing these players, they could boycott sports and not financially support the atrocity of steroids. But for the same reason we still buy Michael Jackson's records and see Roman Polanski's movies, we don't want to lose our entertainment. Even worse than the disenfranchisement from the fans has been the cold shoulder Bonds has received from Bud Selig and the commissioner's office. The commissioner remains skeptical on his presence at the historical occasion and no plans have been made to commemorate the feat. Bonds was almost excluded from this year's All-Star game in his own stadium until a late surge in the voting ballots came from West Coast fans. What more can baseball take from one man? No other player receives the same steroid criticism as Bonds — primarily because Bonds has such poor manners and respect toward his fans and teammates.
Despite his late increase in home runs, Bonds' statistics would have earned him a place in the Hall of Fame if he had retired six years ago.
So in the upcoming weeks, Barry Bonds will become the official scapegoat for a generation of steroid users as he breaks the greatest record in sports. But never should he be deemed a cheater. Bonds gave us entertainment, excitement and passion. He delivered his services and, thereby, met his obligations. The only cheaters are those who cheat Bonds and refuse to recognize his achievement as one for the ages.