I’m not particularly a Barry Bonds fan. I do, however, respect Barry Bonds’ baseball accomplishments and his right to privacy. Unlike many, it doesn’t matter to me that Mr. Bonds will never win an award for being Mr. Congeniality. It does, however, matter to me that the yellow journalism frenzy regarding his alleged steroid use may stain his whole career. The facts surrounding this recent controversy seem quite simple. Before 2002, Major League Baseball had no official policy regarding steroid use among players. Furthermore, Barry Bonds has never tested positive for steroid use. Even if it can be proved he did use steroids in the past, how can he be held accountable if no policy was violated?
Barry Bonds Baseball Achievements:
· 7 MVPs
· 13-time All Star
· 8 Gold Gloves
· 12 Silver Slugger Awards
· Third member of 700 Home Run Club
· Only member in 500/500 Club
· Single Season Home Run King (73)
· Two-time N.L. Batting Champion (2002, 2004)
· Player of the Decade for the 1990′s by The Sporting News
· All-time Major League walks leader
· Set single-season walks (232) and intentional walks (120) record
· Set single-season OBP record (.609)
· Holds Major League record for consecutive seasons with 30-or-more HR, accomplishing this 13 times
Professional athletes are among the elite "chosen ones" who have highly developed athletic skills and extremely well-paid careers. Their fans and the media put revere them as gods and expect miraculous feats from them both on and off the field. They play injured and try to hide any signs of wear and tear for as long as possible. They play each game with inexhaustible gusto and for the most part they give their fans and the media what they want, but in reality, they aren’t gods. They are mere mortals just like we are. They have family problems, money problems, work problems, relationship problems and health problems just like we do. They smoke, they drink, they do drugs and they make mistakes just like we do. So why do we act so surprised or outraged when a professional athlete "confesses" to being human or is caught using a performance enhancing drug or mind-altering substance? Where’s all the support from their fans and the media when the gods fall from grace and become human again? Are we not at least partially responsible for the pressure they feel to strive for perfection?
