Barry Bonds

[ny10804]

I'm just finishing up my argument and persuasion essay on him -- "Should Barry Bonds be inducted into the Hall of Fame?" -- and was wondering what everyone's answer is. Here's the intro:

The ultimate recognition of achievement that a baseball player can receive is to have his name enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Barry Bonds was once deserving of this recognition. During the 1998 season, he became the charter member of the 400–400 (homeruns-stolen bases) club. He was the greatest combination of speed and strength Major League Baseball had even seen. By this time, he had already won three Most Valuable Player awards – baseball’s top honor for active players. Bonds had turned thirty-four years of age during this season, an age where players tend to find they’re not what they used to be, and retirement looms like a hawk over its prey. Not so for Bonds, for he had found himself in an era where steroids were used to lengthen careers and improve performance. In the following eight years, his career would receive a rejuvenation unforeseen in Major League history. It will have turned out, however, that during these eight years, events in the career of Barry Bonds would actually weaken his Hall of Fame credentials, and in some minds, destroy them.

Barry Bond’s statistical credentials for the Hall of Fame are phenomenal. He is currently second in career homeruns to Hank Aaron, 734 to Aaron’s 755, and assuming he does not retire, will likely pass Aaron this upcoming season. He holds all-time records for walks and intentional walks – testaments for the caution pitchers use when facing him. He is the only player in ML history to accumulate seven hundred homeruns and five hundred stolen bases – which can fully be put into perspective by considering that no other player even had four hundred homeruns and four hundred stolen bases. His seventy-three homeruns in 2001 remains the most ever to be hit in one season of play. Other single season records he holds to his name include: on-base percentage, slugging percentage, walks, and intentional walks. Suffice it to say, he is a statistical juggernaut. For this incredible production, Bonds has been awarded the MVP award a record seven times. It is obvious that Barry Bonds has the numbers to warrant HOF membership, but, unfortunately for Bonds, there are other factors that the HOF voting committee considers when the votes are placed.

Not all statistically qualified members are admitted into the HOF. Pete Rose, one of the greatest players in ML history, is not a member. Known for having the most hits in ML history, he has been kept out of the HOF do to his actions off of the field. He was banned from baseball in 1989 for betting on MLB games, a crime to baseball, as well as a crime in the legal sense. He has apologized on numerous occasions, but the voting committee has been unforgiving. The HOF’s motto is “Preserving History, Honoring Excellence, Connecting Generations,” and in the minds of the voters, his crime against baseball cannot be connected with such an honor, he and his actions should not be preserved in baseball’s most rarefied community – the HOF, and future generations should not venerate a criminal of baseball. It is this precedent that will hinder Barry Bond’s selection into the HOF.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that “athletes and others abuse anabolic steroids to enhance performance and also to improve physical appearance.” Steroids are “muscle-building” and effects include “acne, … shrinking of the testicles, … development of breasts.” Bonds’ physique has certainly changed over the years – must noticeably the amount of muscle. From 1998 (the suspected time Bonds began using steroids) on, his muscles became larger (see Image A). It was noted in 1998 that Bonds had arrived to training camp with a back coated with acne, a tell-tale sign of steroid use. Bonds’ high-pitched voice can also be attributed to abuse of steroids, as a “shrinking of the testicles” causes the pitch of one’s voice to be raised. Though it may seem absurd, see Image B for an explanation of the latter effect. Bonds has experienced all the effects of steroid use, and it came to no one’s surprise when he admitted to ‘unknowingly’ using steroids in 2004. “I never asked Greg (his trainer)” about what the products contained, Bonds testified. “When he said it was flaxseed oil, I just said, ‘Whatever.’ It was in the ballpark ... in front of everybody. I mean, all the reporters, my teammates. I mean, they all saw it. I didn't hide it.” The substances he admitted to using were “the cream” and “the clear,” both of which are designed to be “undetectable.” The use of steroids without prescription is illegal in the United States, and any use of steroids in baseball is prohibited.

Bonds’ use of steroids has tainted all of his records and corrupted the integrity of baseball. Admitting him into the HOF would weaken the HOF’s credibility, and would force other athletes involved in the steroid scandal to be considered for the HOF – most prominently Jose Canseco. Like Pete Rose’s betting, using steroids is a crime against baseball, and should be punished. Baseball has been cast in a negative light as a result of the BALCO scandal and the congressional hearings regarding steroids in baseball. This caused MLB to institute a new steroid policy in 2005, one in which three positive tests constitutes a lifetime ban. It will be up to the voters to decide whether or not any steroid user can be admitted into the HOF. If history holds true, and the integrity of baseball is kept in mind, Barry Bonds should not be inducted into the HOF. But much like his records, you may mark this last statement with an asterisk for the next six or seven years (when he becomes eligible for HOF consideration) at which point should not be can be replaced permanently with was not.


EDIT - added the rest.

[M.O.T.H.]

nope. I do however think he should play for the Royals next season, that would be pretty sweet.

I just read Game of Shadows and I hate him

[TitleTown088]

no way i hate barry bonds, seriously who likes this guy??

[Shiver]

Yes

[Boston]

Originally Posted by Bopperlover

I just read Game of Shadows and I hate him

That's probably what the authors intent was...

[ny10804]

OK, I just finished, thoughts?

[P-L]

As much as I hate this guy, and as much evidence as there is linking him to steroids, he has to be inducted. I honestly think he won't make first ballot, but I think he'll get there eventually. HOF voters are real sour about this whole steroid scandal and many of them have came out and said they won't vote McGwire, Sosa, or Bonds into the HOF. We'll see if they change their mind.

[Staubach12]

He's gotta be using roids. Just look at his rookie card.



So he used roids, and my policy is if you use roids, no HOF. So I say no.

[ny10804]

My ending sentence isn't factually correct, but I'd rather not spend another paragraph explaining the system to my English teacher... also, the lack of italics in that sentence takes away from its dramatic effect...

[Staubach12]

But seriously, look at the card.

[BrownsTown]

I think not, it's sad considering he would have been good enough to get in even without the roids.

[TIP]

THis is ridiculous, he should be inducted, no doubt in my mind. It's everyones hatred for bonds that has you all keeping him out. If he goes out. McGwire and Sosa should not get in then, cuz you know they took them as well. Yet many love McGwire and Sosa, because they brought spark back to baseball with their historic HR race. He deserves to get in, no question

Without a doubt he should.

[comahan]

Yes.

[draftguru151]

Originally Posted by cardsalltheway

Without a doubt he should.

QFT. The guy is arguably the best baseball player EVER.

[Brodeur]

He's a first ballot hall of famer, absolutely no question. He isn't Sammy Sosa or Mark McGwire, he was a tremendous player before the steriods and had great power, great speed, and was a great fielder. He's one of the all time greats, and I just don't see how he isn't a first ballot hall of famer.

[draftguru151]

I saw a Barry Bonds in the old movie Rookie of the Year. That was funny.

[Xonraider]

Should he be inducted?
No. No proffesional athlete who does drugs, especially to cheat, should ever be inducted in a Hall Of Fame and should be immeediately fined and suspended for a much larger time than what they do.

Will he be inducted?
Yes. No one who cheats should go in, but since he broke some records and has a oretty big fan base he will get in.

barry bonds is a faget even without using the roids.

[P-L]

Originally Posted by Brodeur

He's a first ballot hall of famer, absolutely no question. He isn't Sammy Sosa or Mark McGwire, he was a tremendous player before the steriods and had great power, great speed, and was a great fielder. He's one of the all time greats, and I just don't see how he isn't a first ballot hall of famer.

Yeah, most people don't realize, if you reduce his numbers from '01-'06 to his average numbers from the rest of his career, he still passes Willie Mays, although the average is kind of iffy.

I vote for him having a stroke before he is eligible.

[Shiver]

1st - Why is it assumed that only hitters took steroids? Pitchers have just as much to gain. It's funny that people dismiss steroid allegations when it regards Roger Clemens, who ressurected his career, playing 10+ more years than the Red Sox thought he could. Playing his best baseball late in his career, even though he is a power pitcher. Hmmm...

2nd - I believe factors such as smaller strike zones, watered down pitching, better technology including juiced balls and bats and smaller ballparks where just as influencial as steroids for the home run era.

3rd - Before he allegedly took steroids, he was already arguably the best player in baseball. Personally, if GoS is accurate, can he really be blamed for steroid use when everyone else around him was using? It's hypocritical, he is singled out, when everybody else was on it.

[P-L]

Ken Griffey Jr. was widely considered the best player in baseball before 2001, but I get your point.

[TitleTown088]

Originally Posted by draftguru151

QFT. The guy is arguably the best baseball player EVER.

dude come on your honestly saying barry bonds is on the same level as guys guys like mantle, Ruth, aaron, dimaggio, Ect?? I don't care about any stats you can show me Barry bonds is nowhere close to players like that. AND HE CHEATED. did any of those guys use roids? i think not.