25 Comments

1. Pat Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 4:22 pm

   He tested positive for speed, not steroids. What does Bonds have to admit? That he has before broken any MLB drug rules?

   By the way, there is no proof he ever did. Until last season. And it was for SPEED – the traditional baseball player pick-me-up for the last, oh, 40 years.

   As for the HOF, who cares? It’s the writers who vote. And some of them didn’t vote for The Babe, not to mention Ripkin and Gwynn.

   Please.

2. Scott N. Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 4:46 pm

   I almost entirely agree with you. I want to point out though that Sosa has never been associated with any of the Balco investigations, nor has he ever blamed roid use on someone else. Do I think he juiced? Absolutely. But it is surprising that his name gets lumped in these discussions when he is one of the only alleged “roid users” that has not been linked to the investigations (at least yet). The only sign of his using roids was his sudden boost in production and an enormous amount of muscle growth (along with a swollen dome). So maybe we should hold off on lumping him with McGwire and Bonds till there is at least some proof that he actually purchased, used, or was given roids and/or other performance enhancing drugs.

3. Danny Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 5:45 pm

   Pat,

   How can you agree with Barry Bonds? How can you sit there and defend him. The man is guilty as sin, and listening to people defend him is nauseating. I just don’t see what evidence you have that says he’s not taking steroids.

4. JSB1224 Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 5:46 pm

   i don’t think we can just assume he’s guilty, but i think saying he’s innocent is a bit of a stretch. i’ve seen him blow up in size, but how can we just know that’s all because of steroids, or for that matter that steroids are the case at all? he could have had a strict diet followed by a strict workout routine. it’s just not fair to throw him under the bus.

5. Pat Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 6:04 pm

   Danny,

   Guilty of what?

6. Danny Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 6:14 pm

   He used the lotion that was from BalCo, and anyone with a pair of eyes knows this guy is guilty. 42 homers was his tops, I think, and then he suddenly jacks 73? Did the pitching get that bad or did he get that big? I think it’s the latter.

7. Pat Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 6:19 pm

   I see. So he’s not guilty of breaking any rules of baseball (until this speed thing, which I imagine many players tested positive for.)

   You’re saying he took steroids and I’m not arguing. I assume the same thing.

   He didn’t break any major league baseball rules in doing so.

   Right?

8. Pat Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 6:31 pm

   Scott,

   I agree with you on Sosa. There is no proof. Nor is there any on Bonds or McGwire. I assume, however, that they all did steroids. None of them broke the rules in doing so. Palmeiro did. Mota did. A number of pitchers did. We know they broke the rule because they all tested positive for steroid once it became against the rules.

   But, Sosa IS a proven cheater. He DID break the rules of baseball. He used a corked bat and was suspended for it.

9. Danny Said,

   January 11, 2007 @ 9:02 pm

   He’s a cheater, plain and simple. He took the stuff, plain and simple. And if you know he took the stuff, then why are you defending him? Steroids are not just illedgal in baseball, they’re illegal from a lawful standpoint, as well. He’s going to break the most prestigious record in baseball, and that’s the big point: Palmeiro did it, Sosa did it, McGwire did it. But Bonds is going to break the record, a very prestigious record, and he’s going to single handedly ruin baseball.

10. Mike Said,

    January 12, 2007 @ 12:00 am

    I agree with you Pat…sorry Danny but your words cannot be backed up by real evidence. Maybe all three guys Sosa, Big Mac and Bonds did use steroids but even if they did it wasn’t illegal in baseball. You can judge all you want but none of them even tested positive when it mattered. All the evidence we have comes from former players like Jose Canseco and why would you take his word over any of theirs?

    As far as cheating is concerned it has been part of the game since it started whether Ty Cobb was sharpening his spikes or our now beloved pitchers of old were using vasoline. Why is this any different? How can we be sure players like Han Aaron even weren’t cheating in some fashion? We can’t so unless you’re prepared to go there you might as well wait until Bonds tests positive for steroids then you have a good argument.

11. Danny Said,

    January 12, 2007 @ 12:33 am

    I just don’t see how everyone can back this guy up. Yes, there’s real evidence lacking, but it’s only lacking because baseball had a joke of a policy for testing, and before that they had no policy at all. That’s like a judge telling a crackhead to show up to his probation officer once a month, but don’t worry, you won’t be tested. Just show up. We’ll take your word. You’ll never have to piss in a cup.

    And then the crackhead says he’s been clean for two years, even though he’s losing weight, wearing the same dirty clothes and has lost three jobs in the last month. He even sets a record with all his crackhead friends for length of sobriety.

    That’s just as silly as Barry Bonds chasing this record. He wasn’t allowed to be tested, and when he was, he’s failed. Or he’s lied. Or he’s blamed his trainer or his teammates or whoever he can to where it’s not his fault. It’s been the story of his career, which is becoming more and more of a joke.

12. Pat Said,

    January 12, 2007 @ 12:28 pm

    He never failed a steroid test, Danny…and Hank Aaron and Willie Mays (my all-time favorite) would have failed an amphetamine test. Amphetamines without a prescription is illegal, just like steroids. And you know how serious these “crimes” are? Well, just check out the sentences handed down in the BALCO case for admitted distributors and producers. Can you name ANYONE who’s ever gone to jail for steroid USE or POSSESSION.?

    Any football players who get caught every year, serve a suspension, then come back to cheering fans and get selected for the Pro Bowl? Why is it fans are so forgiving of NFL players who DO test positive and so insane about baseball players who DO NOT test positive?

    This isn’t about crime and punishment. The “crime” is so low level. Steroids are a prescription drug and it not nice to use prescription drugs you don’t have a prescription for. It’s a CRIME! And I will now admit to breaking the law just last week. I had a toothache and a friend gave me ten of his Vicodins. I took 5 of them and still have the other 5.

    Yes, baseball had a lame policy and, yes, many players naturally did whatever they could to get and edge. Pitchers, hitters, big leaguers, minor leaguers. Perhaps even the majority of players took steroids as Canseco says. I get sick of hearing that, say, Ken Griffey did it clean. Who says? His numbers sure fell quickly and his body keeps giving out. Those are classic signs of steroid use. Bonds is 42 and still playing, still hitting HRs at a remarkable frequency. Is he clean now? Was he clean after testing began and he hit 45 HRs two years in a row and won two more MVPs, despite walking 232 times in one of those years (2004)?

    Besides Bonds, McGwire and Sosa, which other players who never tested positive would you condemn? All of them? Starting when?

    Reason I ask is Tom House, pitcher for the Braves in the late 60s, early 70s, took steroids and says it was pretty common. Lot of fine players from that era, Danny. Which ones must wear the red “S”?

13. steve johnson Said,

    January 12, 2007 @ 1:01 pm

    I believe Barry. He says he has never used steroids knowlingly. His trainer Greg Anderson obviously had him on an unreal workout regimen that changed his skinny frame to the hulk in later years. Also his head was apparently beaten with a sledgehammer and therefore increased enormously in size. Give Barry a break. Who wouldn’t believe Greg and Barry? There is no proof. Major league Baseball should cut Barry some slack. They are trying to attract kids to come enjoy the games. And what better role models for children than these two. Come on Bud, wear your owners hat one more time.

14. pow Said,

    January 13, 2007 @ 12:32 am

    Pat so you know that takeing steriods in u.s is illegal. That means that Barry who got unnaturally lager very quickly who probaly took roids broke the law. Also Barry very well chould have been takeing riods once it became illegal in baseball, so he was breaking a rule. He never failed a drug test before because the test dose not screen for use of all steriods and there are many types that you would have to take a blood test to find evidence of riods. As for Ken, Griffey Jr. he did not get all of a sudden bigger like Barry did and he never looked like the hulk. The sole reason for him being hurt requently now is that he never would stretch or warm up properly which hurts you big time in the long run

15. pow Said,

    January 13, 2007 @ 12:42 am

    oh yeah he lied about the amphetamines why wouldn’t he lie about the steriods. And can you tell me who that picture is at the to of the page. I can’t tell

16. SteveV Said,

    January 13, 2007 @ 8:28 am

    Unfortunatly steriods has been in baseball for a long time. As a kid growing up playing HS Baseball, Teens who scouts would come visit would throw in a word or 2 about steriods. Why because baseball was not about small men running around a ball park. It was about big huge men comming out of college hitting monster shots and making fans go crazy. It was all about the money. After over 20 years of steroids in baseball now the MLB is trying to do something about it and the media is running stories like soap opra. Do the testing, leave the alligations alone and PLAY BALL! We want to be happy about baseball and the media continues to put a cloud over something that news today, they should have done something 20 years ago when steriods was at it hype.

17. steve johnson Said,

    January 15, 2007 @ 9:34 am

    Unfortunatley Steve V. it is an issue that should be addressed. The very integrity of the game is at the pinnacle of this debate. The game has lost a tremendous amount of credibility by looking the other way. It is not just the media. It is our judicial system and Congress. If watching Mark Mcguire testify and the aftermath of that has not made everyone wake up to this issue then the game will never regain it’s mantle as our national pastime. It is an issue bigger than Barry Bonds. He happens to be at the center of the debate because he is going after one of the all time records and he allegedly cheated to get there. This debate could become a non issue if someone, Bud you listening, stepped up admitted there was a huge problem that was not addressed for years. And gave a recognition that some players used performance enhancing drugs. That’s right be upfront with the fans. A novel concept for Major league Baseball who would rather continue to make millions off of ticket sales and ‘hey kid, wouldn’t you like to buy an official Barry Bonds jersey.’ Better buy the Pittsburgh jersey of Bonds as the current one may be a little large on you.’ Hypocrisy, the very definition of major league baseball.

18. Pat Said,

    January 15, 2007 @ 12:25 pm

    Taking steroid is not illegal. Taking them without a prescription is illegal. As we know, Victor Conte got a short sentence for providing and distributing them. I have yet to hear of anyone who has been formally arrested for possessing them or taking them. Not even one body builder or wrestler. Not one NFL or MLB player. Not one Olympic athlete or one bicycle racer.

    Barry Bonds is a prima donna and a prick to reporters. He is not a nice guy. Palmeiro is a liar. McGwire made a fool of himself at that circus of a congressional hearing (why is it that no NFL player has ever had to testify before congress?). In America, there is a great deal of joy expressed when the mighty fall. But who wants to admit to being so petty and nasty when we can so easily find a “cover story” to justify our hysteria and outrage while secretly enjoying to spectacle?

19. Pat Said,

    January 15, 2007 @ 1:44 pm

    Let’s see if this works.

20. Pat Said,

    January 15, 2007 @ 1:55 pm

    Hmm. Didn’t work. Try this:

    [IMG]http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/dashlar/roids/0623_large.jpg[/IMG]

21. Pat Said,

    January 15, 2007 @ 1:57 pm

    Okay. I guess we can’t post images. Here’s a link:

    http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/dashlar/roids/0623_large.jpg

    Sports Illustrated cover, June, 1969.

22. pete Said,

    January 20, 2007 @ 6:15 pm

    who wouldn’t want to be in the stands for 756? I go to games to be entertained, I don’t want to see a 0, 0 pitchers dual.

23. Archie lewis Said,

    January 20, 2007 @ 10:02 pm

    Recent studies have shown that 6 out of 10 Americans have tried Marijuanna or cocaine at some point in their lives.

    Amphetamines have unfortunatly been part of Baseball for a long, long, time.

    Want to know why?

    PRESSURE

    You try working a physically demanding job untill 10:30-11:00 at night, then get on a plane around 1 am for a nice 3 1/2, 4 hr flight, get to a hotel around 5 am local time, and be ready to work again, infront of 30,000 paying customers 6 hrs later.

    Oh and those 30,000 customers, they expect you to put on a show for them.

    They expect you to be a freak of nature every day, and perform at a superhuman level, every minute, every second that you are at work. They don’t care if your shoulder is coming out of your socket, they don’t care if your wife is in the hospital and you haven’t been home in two weeks, no all they care about is that they paid 15 bucks for an upper deck seat. They will scream how you suck, they will say nasty things about your family, all the while proclaiming their own level of morality is higher than yours.

    Happens every weekend in the big leagues.

    Oh yeah, try doing that 6 months a year, away from your wife and kids, every year for 15-20 years.

    Over 100 MLB have players tested positive for drugs, yet suprisingly only Barry Bonds results regarding greenies have been released.

    How many Hall of fame pitchers used a spitball? or a little vaseline, or a thumb tack?
    How many players have used corked bats?
    How many fans have reached over the wall for a ball in play onto the playing field, and thus affected the outcome of the game??

    Get over yourselves, and get off the witch hunt.

    Nobody’s perfect, and pro athletes don’t start out with the goal of being somebody’s role model.
    They want to play at the best of their ability, make a lot of money, and hopefully win a championship.

    How about random drug testing for newspaper reporters? I’d like to know that the “fair and balenced” reporting of “NEWS” stories is being produced without the influence of illicent drugs.

24. Mike Said,

    January 23, 2007 @ 7:42 pm

    Thank you Archie. Cheating has been around since the game was invented in some fashion. Let’s quit pretending that our “beloved record holders” did everything the right way. Its a game and crap happens.

25. ron taylor Said,

    October 7, 2007 @ 3:27 pm

    Oct. 7 2007. Since my family would have declare yesterday “Black Saturday” because we have a son who went to Ga Tech, two sons who went to Clemson and I went to graduate school at Georgia. They all lost football games yesterday with Ga. and Clemson being SMASHED.

    I am totally in disbelief with the way teams perform weekl to week and have a question that led me to this website. Although I didn’t see anything about UGA and Tenn they were noted in the heading on Google.

    I have had an interest in psychology and behavior as a univ. teacher for twenty years in a creative field. I am always interested tn the truths behind the surface and I had an experience early in my teaching career at a major university that interests me in trying to understand how one team like Tenn. can look and play like men and Ga. looked and played like boys. I am very concerned that the three Universities our kids went to have principled coaches would would not condone performance enhancing drug use. The arms of the Ga. receivers look like softball bats and the Tenn players all have HAMS for arms. Just generally Va Tech and Tenn looked bigger, stronger and faster than Clemson and Ga. The aggressive energy was clearly on the side of the VT & Tenn. teams.

    I referred to an experience I had at a Univ I taught long ago and it was this. I knew some of the players on the team and they talked about the use of amphetamines that were dispensed by a student assistant. An undersized defensive end was known for being able to “take more speed than anyone on the team”! He played like a demon possessed.

    We know from the official news of amphetamine use in professional baseball and football.

    I hear almost nothing about testing in college football but you can find a lot of buzz on the net and I know it goes on but for some programs in a wholesale way and maybe in isolated cases for other teams.

    I am not coming from and goody morality place. I do wish we had an even playing field here.

    I actually have become a Steve Spurrier fan recently since he is at South Carolina and in my newspaper and TV coverage area. I admire his toughness and how realistic he is. I suppose if he is as realistic as I feel he knows he can’t win being like Mark Richt.

    I am just frustrated knowing the cold, hard guys a LSU and Fla are always going to win out. I think we all know steroids are everwhere but does anyone know anything about speed for games.