Barry Bonds will boycott the Baseball Hall of Fame (1 Viewer)

[videoguy505]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3090631

NEW YORK -- Barry Bonds would boycott Cooperstown if the Hall of Fame displays his record-breaking home run ball with an asterisk.

That includes skipping his potential induction ceremony.

"I won't go. I won't be part of it," Bonds said in an interview with MSNBC that aired Thursday night. "You can call me, but I won't be there."

The ball Bonds hit for home run No. 756 this season will be branded with an asterisk and sent to the Hall. Fashion designer Marc Ecko bought the ball in an online auction and set up a Web site for fans to vote on its fate. In late September, he announced fans voted to send the ball to Cooperstown with an asterisk.

Of course, the asterisk suggests Bonds' record is tainted by alleged steroid use. The slugger has denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs. Fans brought signs with asterisks to ballparks this season as he neared Hank Aaron's career home run mark.

Bonds has called Ecko "an idiot."

"I don't think you can put an asterisk in the game of baseball, and I don't think that the Hall of Fame can accept an asterisk," Bonds said. "You cannot give people the freedom, the right to alter history. You can't do it. There's no such thing as an asterisk in baseball."

Hall of Fame vice president Jeff Idelson declined to comment Thursday night.

Hall president Dale Petroskey has said accepting the ball doesn't mean the museum endorses the viewpoint that Bonds used illegal substances. He said the museum would be "delighted" to have the ball.

"It's a historic piece of baseball history," Petroskey said in September.

So, if the Hall goes through with the asterisk display?

"I will never be in the Hall of Fame. Never," Bonds said. "Barry Bonds will not be there.

"That's my emotions now. That's how I feel now. When I decide to retire five years from now, we'll see where they are at that moment," he added. "We'll see where they are at that time, and maybe I'll reconsider. But it's their position and where their position will be will be the determination of what my decision will be at that time."

Giants general manager Brian Sabean reiterated Thursday that the team won't bring back Bonds next season. The seven-time NL MVP, who has spent 15 of his 22 major league seasons in San Francisco, was asked whether he will retire as a Giant.

"Yeah, it's my house. No matter what that's my house, no one's going to take that away, no one ever," Bonds answered. "No one's going to take the love of that city of me away, ever."

Bonds, who has 762 homers, broke Aaron's record with a shot into the right-center seats off Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik at San Francisco on Aug. 7.

Matt Murphy, a 21-year-old student and construction supervisor from New York, emerged from a scuffle holding the ball. He said he decided to sell it because he couldn't afford to pay the taxes required to keep it.

Bonds told MSNBC he hoped to reach 764 homers because he was born in July 1964. He said he's been working out and still is considering whether to play next season.

"I may hit two home runs so I can go home. I just think that I have a lot of game left. I think that I can help a team with a championship," Bonds said. "I'm a hell of a part-time player, too."

Bonds said he won't talk to George Mitchell's staff looking into steroids use in baseball while he is under investigation in the BALCO case. A grand jury has been investigating whether Bonds committed perjury when he testified he never knowingly took performance-enhancing drugs.

"I know it ends in January, so a couple more months. But I haven't been keeping up with it. Not at all," Bonds said. "I have nothing to hide. I have said that before and I will say it now and I will look you in the face. I have nothing to hide, nothing. So look all you want to."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Sounds good to me I don't want him in the HOF anyway.

 

[greenroom]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

 

[Statorama]

I love how the guy has already put himself in the Hall of Fame. Didn't he see what happened to Mark McGwire? There are no lead pipe locks to getting in the Hall during the steroid era. (Since I'm not new here, I'll emphasize that Mark McGwire is not as good as Barry Bonds. Only used him as an example of a player with what would have been Hall eligible numbers denied first ballot status since he's under the cloud of the steroid investigation).

If I were him I'd keep my mouth shut until that Mitchell report comes out.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I'd like to have the job of putting the * on the ball. How does bright red two inches across sound?

 

[wadegarrett]

I may lose sleep over this.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

"You cannot give people the freedom, the right to alter history. You can't do it."

Nonsense. You, too, can alter history with the right chemist in your corner. Oh, wait...

 

[phthalatemagic]

HOF is better with him out. I think everyone would be happy if this happens.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

HOF is better with him out. I think everyone would be happy if this happens.

I don't think it means he won't be in the HOF. It just that he won't show up to the ceremony, which might be the worst bluff in the history of history. Nobody clamors for the world to praise him more than Bonds. Although I suppose that would be the ultimate LOOK AT ME moment.

 

[phthalatemagic]

HOF is better with him out. I think everyone would be happy if this happens.

I don't think it means he won't be in the HOF. It just that he won't show up to the ceremony, which might be the worst bluff in the history of history. Nobody clamors for the world to praise him more than Bonds. Although I suppose that would be the ultimate LOOK AT ME moment.

I can still hope

 

[Mr Capicollo]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

It\\\'s the free market at work. I love that the guy had the online vote and did what he said he\\\'d do. Baseball has covered up something that it failed to act on, and now it\\\'s reaping the wind. Is Bonds getting singled out? Yep, but that\\\'s only because he would appear to have benefitted more than any other player from performance enhancing drugs by breaking the most hallowed record in baseball and arguably in all of sports. He\\\'s also a ####. Honestly, do you have any doubt that he used performance enhancing drugs, from BALCO no less?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Is Bonds getting singled out? Yep, but that\\\'s only because he would appear to have benefitted more than any other player from performance enhancing drugs by breaking the most hallowed record in baseball and arguably in all of sports. He\\\'s also a ####.

He was still the greatest player of his generation, one of the five best hitters ever no matter what. His pre alledged steriod years were off the charts also. Five tool player with fieldding, stolen bases, and the quickest of bats.

Honestly, do you have any doubt that he used performance enhancing drugs, from BALCO no less?

I haven't seen much more than an old bitter gf saying she saw him do it and him admitting he used something he thought was flaxseed oil. Considering we can only imagine how many people accidentally used "the clear" when they thought it was faxseed oil over the past twenty years in baseball, fans have to learn to accept the idiosyncrasies of baseball. All eras have their dirty little secrets whether it was locking out blacks, restricting player movement, using spitballs, gambling, or paying fans to mercifully heckle the opponents. All those things affected stats. All those things are part of baseballs' storied past whether we like them or not. Although I have always been a fan of Bonds because I like to watch him play (and becasue I have over 100 of his rookie cards ) I also believe fans fail to see the big picture as far as the game itself. We don't want to know who used steriods, we really don't. The list would be long and contain the names of players everyone liked and respected and players who are heading to the hall. Bonds haters also fail to recognize what a true talent the guy was. Later bacon boy.

 

[Darth Cheney]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Is Bonds getting singled out? Yep, but that\\\'s only because he would appear to have benefitted more than any other player from performance enhancing drugs by breaking the most hallowed record in baseball and arguably in all of sports. He\\\'s also a ####.

He was still the greatest player of his generation, one of the five best hitters ever no matter what. His pre alledged steriod years were off the charts also. Five tool player with fieldding, stolen bases, and the quickest of bats.

Honestly, do you have any doubt that he used performance enhancing drugs, from BALCO no less?

I haven't seen much more than an old bitter gf saying she saw him do it and him admitting he used something he thought was flaxseed oil. Considering we can only imagine how many people accidentally used "the clear" when they thought it was faxseed oil over the past twenty years in baseball, fans have to learn to accept the idiosyncrasies of baseball. All eras have their dirty little secrets whether it was locking out blacks, restricting player movement, using spitballs, gambling, or paying fans to mercifully heckle the opponents. All those things affected stats. All those things are part of baseballs' storied past whether we like them or not. Although I have always been a fan of Bonds because I like to watch him play (and becasue I have over 100 of his rookie cards ) I also believe fans fail to see the big picture as far as the game itself. We don't want to know who used steriods, we really don't. The list would be long and contain the names of players everyone liked and respected and players who are heading to the hall. Bonds haters also fail to recognize what a true talent the guy was. Later bacon boy.

Wow. Darn good posting.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Is Bonds getting singled out? Yep, but that\\\\\\\'s only because he would appear to have benefitted more than any other player from performance enhancing drugs by breaking the most hallowed record in baseball and arguably in all of sports. He\\\\\\\'s also a ####.

He was still the greatest player of his generation, one of the five best hitters ever no matter what. His pre alledged steriod years were off the charts also. Five tool player with fieldding, stolen bases, and the quickest of bats.

Honestly, do you have any doubt that he used performance enhancing drugs, from BALCO no less?

I haven\'t seen much more than an old bitter gf saying she saw him do it and him admitting he used something he thought was flaxseed oil. Considering we can only imagine how many people accidentally used \"the clear\" when they thought it was faxseed oil over the past twenty years in baseball, fans have to learn to accept the idiosyncrasies of baseball. All eras have their dirty little secrets whether it was locking out blacks, restricting player movement, using spitballs, gambling, or paying fans to mercifully heckle the opponents. All those things affected stats. All those things are part of baseballs\' storied past whether we like them or not. Although I have always been a fan of Bonds because I like to watch him play (and becasue I have over 100 of his rookie cards ) I also believe fans fail to see the big picture as far as the game itself. We don\'t want to know who used steriods, we really don\'t. The list would be long and contain the names of players everyone liked and respected and players who are heading to the hall. Bonds haters also fail to recognize what a true talent the guy was. Later bacon boy.

Hey Nixon opened up China to the West, but that doesn\'t mean he didn\'t cheat. Was Bonds a great player? Absolutely. Worthy of the HoF? Absolutely. Is the asterisk right where it belongs, on the ball that broke the record (when most people think that \'roids, etc. got him an extra 100-150 home runs)? Absolutely. Bonds\' accomplishments are part of history, as are the fans\' displeasure with baseball\'s inaction, denial, and half-assed approach to investigating. The Hall of Fame should reflect both of them.

 

[Darth Cheney]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Is Bonds getting singled out? Yep, but that\\\\\\\'s only because he would appear to have benefitted more than any other player from performance enhancing drugs by breaking the most hallowed record in baseball and arguably in all of sports. He\\\\\\\'s also a ####.

He was still the greatest player of his generation, one of the five best hitters ever no matter what. His pre alledged steriod years were off the charts also. Five tool player with fieldding, stolen bases, and the quickest of bats.

Honestly, do you have any doubt that he used performance enhancing drugs, from BALCO no less?

I haven\'t seen much more than an old bitter gf saying she saw him do it and him admitting he used something he thought was flaxseed oil. Considering we can only imagine how many people accidentally used \"the clear\" when they thought it was faxseed oil over the past twenty years in baseball, fans have to learn to accept the idiosyncrasies of baseball. All eras have their dirty little secrets whether it was locking out blacks, restricting player movement, using spitballs, gambling, or paying fans to mercifully heckle the opponents. All those things affected stats. All those things are part of baseballs\' storied past whether we like them or not. Although I have always been a fan of Bonds because I like to watch him play (and becasue I have over 100 of his rookie cards ) I also believe fans fail to see the big picture as far as the game itself. We don\'t want to know who used steriods, we really don\'t. The list would be long and contain the names of players everyone liked and respected and players who are heading to the hall. Bonds haters also fail to recognize what a true talent the guy was. Later bacon boy.

Hey Nixon opened up China to the West, but that doesn\'t mean he didn\'t cheat. Was Bonds a great player? Absolutely. Worthy of the HoF? Absolutely. Is the asterisk right where it belongs, on the ball that broke the record (when most people think that \'roids, etc. got him an extra 100-150 home runs)? Absolutely. Bonds\' accomplishments are part of history, as are the fans\' displeasure with baseball\'s inaction, denial, and half-assed approach to investigating. The Hall of Fame should reflect both of them.

It's been awhile since I've been to the Hall of Fame, but I don't remember if any exhibits extolled negative aspects of the game.

 

[ooofffaaa]

I may lose sleep over this.

who cares?The sooner he just goes away the better.

 

[the moops]

Barry Bonds is the greatest baseball player I have ever seen play the game.

He deserves to be in the HOF over any player from the past 50 years.

 

[[icon]]

Barry Bonds is the greatest baseball player I have ever seen play the game.He deserves to be in the HOF over any player from the past 50 years.

Lemme guess... Giants fan, too?

 

[the moops]

Barry Bonds is the greatest baseball player I have ever seen play the game.He deserves to be in the HOF over any player from the past 50 years.

Lemme guess... Giants fan, too?

As I said before, I like watching good baseball.

 

[shadyridr]

I actually feel a little bad for him with this whole Ecko asterisk thing. Why should he get an asterisk when tons of other plays also cheated?

 

[culdeus]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Is Bonds getting singled out? Yep, but that\\\\\\\'s only because he would appear to have benefitted more than any other player from performance enhancing drugs by breaking the most hallowed record in baseball and arguably in all of sports. He\\\\\\\'s also a ####.

He was still the greatest player of his generation, one of the five best hitters ever no matter what. His pre alledged steriod years were off the charts also. Five tool player with fieldding, stolen bases, and the quickest of bats.

Honestly, do you have any doubt that he used performance enhancing drugs, from BALCO no less?

I haven\'t seen much more than an old bitter gf saying she saw him do it and him admitting he used something he thought was flaxseed oil. Considering we can only imagine how many people accidentally used \"the clear\" when they thought it was faxseed oil over the past twenty years in baseball, fans have to learn to accept the idiosyncrasies of baseball. All eras have their dirty little secrets whether it was locking out blacks, restricting player movement, using spitballs, gambling, or paying fans to mercifully heckle the opponents. All those things affected stats. All those things are part of baseballs\' storied past whether we like them or not. Although I have always been a fan of Bonds because I like to watch him play (and becasue I have over 100 of his rookie cards ) I also believe fans fail to see the big picture as far as the game itself. We don\'t want to know who used steriods, we really don\'t. The list would be long and contain the names of players everyone liked and respected and players who are heading to the hall. Bonds haters also fail to recognize what a true talent the guy was. Later bacon boy.

Hey Nixon opened up China to the West, but that doesn\'t mean he didn\'t cheat. Was Bonds a great player? Absolutely. Worthy of the HoF? Absolutely. Is the asterisk right where it belongs, on the ball that broke the record (when most people think that \'roids, etc. got him an extra 100-150 home runs)? Absolutely. Bonds\' accomplishments are part of history, as are the fans\' displeasure with baseball\'s inaction, denial, and half-assed approach to investigating. The Hall of Fame should reflect both of them.

It's been awhile since I've been to the Hall of Fame, but I don't remember if any exhibits extolled negative aspects of the game.

They do have something about the Black Sox, but I don't remember a run down of the labor strikes.

 

[Max Power]

Baseball is dying...this just helps it along a bit more.

 

[ack34]

Baseball is dying...this just helps it along a bit more.

uh, no...it's getting better!

 

[shadyridr]

Baseball is dying...this just helps it along a bit more.

yep football players dont take anything

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Baseball is dying...this just helps it along a bit more.

It's making more money now than it ever has. More people came to the ballparks this year than ever before, and the game is gaining popularity ten fold every year in the Far East and in Latin America. Baseball has actually come back from the brink of afterthought, like it did in 1900, 1920, 1945, and in the early seventies. It will continue to do this because most of the fans love the game as much as their teams. Even some Yankees and Red Sox fans do even though they can't often see the forest through the trees. Those that do are some of the very best fans in the game.

 

[shadyridr]

baseball > football

 

[Max Power]

World series ratings down, scandles, even the local little league just went from 12 teams down to 10 because they couldnt field teams anymore.

Now the "best player" in baseball is threatening to boycott the HOF. Things arent looking up guys.

 

[shadyridr]

World series ratings down, scandles, even the local little league just went from 12 teams down to 10 because they couldnt field teams anymore.

Now the "best player" in baseball is threatening to boycott the HOF. Things arent looking up guys.

Ratings are down in all sports across the board. You dont remember the MNF ratings slipping every year before they went to ESPN?

 

[Autumn Wind]

even the local little league just went from 12 teams down to 10 because they couldnt field teams anymore.

Memo to MLB: Pack it up guys. You had a good run, but there's no recovering from this.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I actually feel a little bad for him with this whole Ecko asterisk thing. Why should he get an asterisk when tons of other plays also cheated?

Because tons of other players didn't break a hallowed record where the ball caught was sold to someone who happened to have a sense of humor > a sense of monetary worth. It's on one ball that's going to be on display in a museum next to Gaylord Perry's spitter. Bonds never gave a #### what people thought of him while he was playing. Why start caring what people think of him once he's gone?

 

[guru_007]

When is the ball getting branded? Will this be a public ceremony? Anyone know?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

When is the ball getting branded? Will this be a public ceremony? Anyone know?

PPV?

 

[Leroy Hoard]

When is the ball getting branded? Will this be a public ceremony? Anyone know?

PPV?

I'd only pay for it if it's in HD.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

When is the ball getting branded? Will this be a public ceremony? Anyone know?

PPV?

I'd only pay for it if it's in HD.

It's only being broadcast in HGH. :shurg:

 

[Max Power]

two great responses. The 07 Superbowl fell just short of the ratings record.

Jumping to the extreme to counter a point is pure brilliance

The truth is that Americans just aren't as interested in baseball as they once were.

 

[boom king]

maybe bonds shoulda bought the ball if he didnt want something like this to happen...

 

[Autumn Wind]

The truth is that Americans just aren't as interested in baseball as they once were.

And you're basing this off the ratings for four games from an entire season?

 

[Mr Capicollo]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Is Bonds getting singled out? Yep, but that\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s only because he would appear to have benefitted more than any other player from performance enhancing drugs by breaking the most hallowed record in baseball and arguably in all of sports. He\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s also a ####.

He was still the greatest player of his generation, one of the five best hitters ever no matter what. His pre alledged steriod years were off the charts also. Five tool player with fieldding, stolen bases, and the quickest of bats.

Honestly, do you have any doubt that he used performance enhancing drugs, from BALCO no less?

I haven\\\'t seen much more than an old bitter gf saying she saw him do it and him admitting he used something he thought was flaxseed oil. Considering we can only imagine how many people accidentally used \\\"the clear\\\" when they thought it was faxseed oil over the past twenty years in baseball, fans have to learn to accept the idiosyncrasies of baseball. All eras have their dirty little secrets whether it was locking out blacks, restricting player movement, using spitballs, gambling, or paying fans to mercifully heckle the opponents. All those things affected stats. All those things are part of baseballs\\\' storied past whether we like them or not. Although I have always been a fan of Bonds because I like to watch him play (and becasue I have over 100 of his rookie cards ) I also believe fans fail to see the big picture as far as the game itself. We don\\\'t want to know who used steriods, we really don\\\'t. The list would be long and contain the names of players everyone liked and respected and players who are heading to the hall. Bonds haters also fail to recognize what a true talent the guy was. Later bacon boy.

Hey Nixon opened up China to the West, but that doesn\\\'t mean he didn\\\'t cheat. Was Bonds a great player? Absolutely. Worthy of the HoF? Absolutely. Is the asterisk right where it belongs, on the ball that broke the record (when most people think that \\\'roids, etc. got him an extra 100-150 home runs)? Absolutely. Bonds\\\' accomplishments are part of history, as are the fans\\\' displeasure with baseball\\\'s inaction, denial, and half-assed approach to investigating. The Hall of Fame should reflect both of them.

It\'s been awhile since I\'ve been to the Hall of Fame, but I don\'t remember if any exhibits extolled negative aspects of the game.

If they mention Jackie Robinson at all, they do.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Good for Bonds for taking a stand. And he does leave the door open to change his mind. Unless you put a * against all of the records you cannot just single out Bonds since you do not like him.

Save your indignation for someone who deserves it. Fat Head can opt out of Cooperstown forever - the fans have spoken on this.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I agree with the guy who said good for Bonds. This whole thing is ridiculous.

Is Bonds getting singled out? Yep, but that\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s only because he would appear to have benefitted more than any other player from performance enhancing drugs by breaking the most hallowed record in baseball and arguably in all of sports. He\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s also a ####.

He was still the greatest player of his generation, one of the five best hitters ever no matter what. His pre alledged steriod years were off the charts also. Five tool player with fieldding, stolen bases, and the quickest of bats.

Honestly, do you have any doubt that he used performance enhancing drugs, from BALCO no less?

I haven\\\'t seen much more than an old bitter gf saying she saw him do it and him admitting he used something he thought was flaxseed oil. Considering we can only imagine how many people accidentally used \\\"the clear\\\" when they thought it was faxseed oil over the past twenty years in baseball, fans have to learn to accept the idiosyncrasies of baseball. All eras have their dirty little secrets whether it was locking out blacks, restricting player movement, using spitballs, gambling, or paying fans to mercifully heckle the opponents. All those things affected stats. All those things are part of baseballs\\\' storied past whether we like them or not. Although I have always been a fan of Bonds because I like to watch him play (and becasue I have over 100 of his rookie cards ) I also believe fans fail to see the big picture as far as the game itself. We don\\\'t want to know who used steriods, we really don\\\'t. The list would be long and contain the names of players everyone liked and respected and players who are heading to the hall. Bonds haters also fail to recognize what a true talent the guy was. Later bacon boy.

Hey Nixon opened up China to the West, but that doesn\\\'t mean he didn\\\'t cheat. Was Bonds a great player? Absolutely. Worthy of the HoF? Absolutely. Is the asterisk right where it belongs, on the ball that broke the record (when most people think that \\\'roids, etc. got him an extra 100-150 home runs)? Absolutely. Bonds\\\' accomplishments are part of history, as are the fans\\\' displeasure with baseball\\\'s inaction, denial, and half-assed approach to investigating. The Hall of Fame should reflect both of them.

It\'s been awhile since I\'ve been to the Hall of Fame, but I don\'t remember if any exhibits extolled negative aspects of the game.

If they mention Jackie Robinson at all, they do.

Are you posting from the space shuttle?