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Posted 06/06/2007 at 03:13 AM
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I just want San Francisco outfielder Barry ‘Balco’ Bonds to man-up and admit he took steroids. Since this is a printed column, I will have to use the words ‘allegedly’ for fear of retribution. The same way I have to use ‘allegedly’ when talking about O.J. Simpson and his two murders, or Mohamed Atta as an ‘alleged’ highjacker on 9/11.
Bonds had the body of Gilligan while playing at Arizona State and the Pittsburgh Pirates, its just that the skippers little buddy wasn’t a five-tool player. Now I have never been a fan of Bonds, I remember booing him as a Sun Devil (I’m an Arizona alum). I was born in Pittsburgh, and never liked him when he was wearing the black and gold.
When Bonds went to San Francisco, he started working out under the tutelage of Greg Anderson and the whole Balco crew. The future Hall of Fame player bulked up incredibly, and the home runs started to fly off his bat.
Now, other athletes that have worked under the Balco crew have been exposed of their steroid use. Baseball player Jason Giambi and sprinter Marion Jones were outed by their steroid use just to name a few.
Like I stated earlier, I could care less about Bonds but he is about to break baseball’s most hallowed record of 755 home runs set by Henry Aaron. I have issues with Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa’s ‘alleged’ steroid use as well, but neither one is about to be the home run king. I do think that there should be an asterisk next to their numbers, along with Ken Caminiti’s NL MVP.
I have heard some interesting comments on baseball and drug use, but steroids takes things to another level completely. Baseball players talked about playing on ‘greenies’ during the 1960’s and 70’s to stay alert during a grueling 162-game season. However, high school kids are not out buying amphetamines to get a college scholarship.
The whole steroid thing reminds me of an old Saturday Night Live skit called the ‘All-Drug Olympics.’ In that skit, a small weightlifter was attempting to lift an ungodly amount with the announcers saying he was on steroids, caffeine and about 15 other drugs. Well the weightlifter tries to lift the weight, but his arms are ripped off and he’s screaming while blood is gushing everywhere. Meanwhile, the announcer is saying that it’s a tough break.
To play devil’s advocate, I recently heard an argument about drugs and music. I’m not advocating the use of drugs but let’s face it, music would really suck without them. Give me the Rolling Stones, Stone Temple Pilots, Aerosmith, etc. instead of artists like Wayne Newton any day. However, comparing sports to music is apples and oranges.
It will be a sad day when Bonds connects on number 756.
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