The San Francisco Witch Hunt

OK, you already know I'm a baseball fan. As I've stated, I'm one of about 17 true Pirates fans left in the city of Pittsburgh. Yes, it's true that thousands of people turn out for each game at PNC Park, but I think most of them are fans of the ballpark, the atmosphere, maybe even the nachos and beer. But not many real Pirates fans. As a matter of fact, many would say that there's not a whole lot of true baseball fans left out there. Ever since the strike in the early 90's, the game has suffered in popularity. The Mark McGwire/Sammy Sosa home run race a few years ago helped to bring some interest back to America's Pasttime, but it's not the same as it used to be. "Fans" complain about the large contracts the players are getting, such as A-Rod's $250,000,000 over 10 years. They're complaining about "unfairness" in the game because small market cities "can't" compete and put together successful teams. I could spend a large amount of time writing about just those two complaints, but my main concern is over the latest "scandal" within the game.....steroids.

Let me get this out of the way....I believe steroid use in sports is wrong because it's illegal. If a player gets caught using ANY type of illegal substance, they should be punished severely. If they get caught twice, they should be banned from the game. Period....end of discussion. Naturally, these punishments should only be dished out if there is unarguable proof that the player is guilty.

All that being said, I'm really concerned over the negative attention that is falling on one of (maybe THE) greatest baseball player in the history of the sport. Barry Bonds. Now there's a book being published that says Bonds began using steroids after the 1998 season and for the next few years after. Bonds has filed a lawsuit against the authors and publishers in response, but the reality is that it's just another bell that can't be unrung. Bonds, of course, has been at the center of this steroids circus for several years now, and it doesn't appear that that will change in the near future.

Did Bonds use steroids during his career? Who knows? I know I don't, nor is it likely that anyone reading this or sitting at home watching sports on TV knows. My argument is, why does this matter? First of all, Barry is being accused of using steroids during a timeframe where they were not outlawed in the game. You can't hold someone responsible for doing something against the rules if it wasn't against the rules when they did it. Secondly, let's leave Bonds out of the equation for a moment. I can't remember people writing anti-Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa books, articles, or editorials in 1998 when they were battling for the home run record. Sammy Sosa hit 66 home runs that year, which was THIRTY more than he hit the previous season, and 26 more than he had ever hit in a season prior to that. McGwire hit 70 homers in 1998, coming off of 52 the previous season. There were no Sammy Does Steroids or McGwire On The Juice articles because Sammy and Mark were good for the game at the time. There may have been some limited accusations or suspicions, but nothing like we're seeing today. They went out, played the game, hit their homeruns, gave the fans a thrill, put @$$es in the seats, and boosted ratings for Major League Baseball. After that they went to the locker room and welcomed the media for all kinds of interviews and questions. Therein lies the difference. Barry Bonds has a history of being difficult to play with, difficult to coach, and certainly difficult, if not impossible, to interview. He doesn't like the media, and that's no good for him. Whether it's sports, entertainment or politics, we've seen a thousand examples of this....if someone in the public eye doesn't give the arrogant media what they think they deserve whenever they think they deserve it, they will trash that person's performance and reputation, both on a public and private level. Bonds hasn't been kind to the media, therefore he is a target.

So, what's the answer? I don't claim to be some super-genius on the subject, but I say we should let things happen on their own. If Bonds or any other player is using steroids illegally, more than likely under the new testing policy in MLB, they will get caught and pay the penalty. Look at the other penalties that have been paid....McGwire suffered career-shortening injuries that many say were related to steroid use. Sosa presumedly stopped taking them, and look what happened to his career. Oh wait, he doesn't have one anymore. He hit 64 home runs five years ago....now, no one wants him for a waterboy. And then there's two more words for you about what happens to steroid users....Rafael Palmeiro. If Bonds is guilty, he will pay the price, one way or another. However, he shouldn't have to pay by having his name dragged through the media. He's done too much for the game, and he doesn't deserve it.

And, oh by the way.....could we possibly even THINK about looking at some of the pitchers who mysteriously threw the ball 5-10 mph harder from one season to the next? No one talks about pitchers cheating.....but, that's for another post.....