Opinion : Barry Bonds

I have said before that I am not entirely against baseball players using performance enhancing drugs (they have to live with the risks, the game is evolving, etc) but one egregious case is really bothering me. That would be the case of Barry Bonds. First of all, Bonds was a superstar with out the drugs (NL MVP, several 40-40 seasons), and his muscle growth around age 40 leaves little doubt that he is guilty. The problem I have though is that he is also a criminal, and he is escaping the consequences of his actions.

Lets put it this way: What would happen to me if I smuggled illegal drugs into this country and then used them in a scheme to make millions of dollars for my employer who would then kick that money back to me. And what if upon the allegations of this activity, I went on a spree of obstruction that included bribing my best friend to silence them (and other witness tampering), lying under oath to the US congress, perjuring myself in front of a federal grand jury, and violating gag orders placed on the investigation. I would probably be in prison for the rest of my life, and therefore Barry Bonds should be too. Bonds has continued to act as if rules do not apply to him, and it is time to teach him that they do.

I would have no problem with Bonds or his records if he just admitted what he did, took his punishment for lying, and moved on. Yet he continues to flaunt authorities, tarnish baseball, and make drug use look good to younger players. I hope he goes to prison for a long time.

On a side note, McGwire doesn't really deserve to make the hall of fame. This is because he was a fat, one-dimensional player who never hit well for average and couldn't field. Neither was he a leader on the field and he rarely lead his team to many victories. A one year freak show does not qualify someone for Cooperstown.