Bonds to boycott HOF if ball gets branded. [Archive]

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HollandX

11-01-2007, 08:59 PM

Bonds: Hall a No Go if Ball Has Asterisk
By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

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."

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/shared-gen/ap/General_Baseball_News/BBO_Bonds_Hall_of_Fame.html

cniles

11-01-2007, 09:01 PM

Just finished read this,Funny how he did mention that these are his feelings Now but would see in 5 yrs how he feels or what he thinks:rolleyes:

GoFlamesGo

11-01-2007, 09:04 PM

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

So very true, once it's proven he did roids he will never be there...

DMM77

11-01-2007, 09:06 PM

The soap opera continues.....

madden821

11-01-2007, 09:43 PM

Works for me... he cheated and doesn't deserve to be there anyway... and neither does McGwire or Sosa or Palmeiro.

deogg

11-01-2007, 09:45 PM

Works for me... he cheated and doesn't deserve to be there anyway... and neither does McGwire or Sosa or Palmeiro.

Bingo. I hope the cheating frauds never even sniff Cooperstown.

RAIDEN6

11-01-2007, 09:59 PM

LasVegas

11-01-2007, 10:31 PM

Bonds will be inducted 1st ballot whether or not he was proven to have knowingly taken steroids, we already know he took them, all of us the public, and all of the writers who have a vote, so proven or otherwise we all know it, and he WILL get voted in 1st ballot period no matter how any of us feel or any of us that keep saying he won't get in when found guilty. He will be in and we will all deal with him being in the Hall Of Fame in our own ways, but this argument will come up this summer when Mark McGwire gets into the Hall, which he will this time around.

starscream's ghost

11-01-2007, 10:32 PM

wait, he said there are no astericks in baseball. isn't there already one asterik?

Joe Bruin723

11-01-2007, 10:34 PM

You guys are silly, he is one of the best players ever. Take away the speculation that he MIGHT have taken something, he was still a HOF lock. And even if he did cheat, he took the stuff when it wasn't illegal. It's the MLBs fault for letting that stuff go, and even after they knew about it Bud Selig let it go because it basically resurrected the MLB when it was dying.

Bonds is a HOFer for sure, roids or no roids.
Also, put Pete Rose in the HOF already.
Exactly. The Hall of Fame should display the ball so that the asterisk can not be seen. I doubt that it could really be like stretched over all parts of the ball. It wouldn't really look like an asterisk... I don't know anymore but try to hide the damn asterisk. This is America, and this is America's goshdarn game! You aren't guilty until proven. If it is proven, concrete and all, then spin that thing around and show off that asterisk.

Wardo30

11-02-2007, 05:36 AM

Who cares if he us in there or not....Oh well congrats Barry you're not in the Hall cause once again your big head got in the way, your loss!!!!!

petenfld

11-02-2007, 05:57 AM

mariners4411

11-02-2007, 06:23 AM

wait, he said there are no astericks in baseball. isn't there already one asterik?

yep. Roger Maris got one when he hit HR # 61

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 06:52 AM

It's never been proven that Bonds knowingly took steroids or any other similar substance when it was banned by MLB. Remember, it can only be concidered cheating if he was doing something against the rules to gain an unfair advantage. Not only would the Bonds Haters need to prove he used steroids, they would need to prove that he used them AFTER they were banned by MLB.

The only thing that can be actually proven is that Bonds has had to face pitchers that have used steroids after they were banned. Anything else at this point is speculation fueled by an all around hatred for everything Barry Bonds.

The fact that the HOF would accept a ball defaced by a rhino t-shirt designer is embarrassing. If the HOF will accept a historic baseball with an asterisk branned on it, what would they say no to? Where would they draw the line? What if t-shirt designer wanted to brand the n-word into the ball? Would they accept that too?

icee82

11-02-2007, 06:55 AM

Who really cares? Would the fans be upset if Bonds skipped the induction ceremony? Doubtful. Does anyone really want Bonds in the HOF? Probably not.

ToightLikeATiger

11-02-2007, 06:58 AM

Good for Barry.... Its pathetic that they are putting an asterik on his homerun ball. HOF should not display it as its disrespectful to one of the games greatest players. Barry Bonds not being in the HOF will be a bigger tradgedy then Pete Rose not being there.

joewillie99

11-02-2007, 07:04 AM

yep. Roger Maris got one when he hit HR # 61

...technically,there never was an asterisk...the record book listed HR's in a 154 and 162 game seasons....so it was recognized as the record but old Ruth fans (the Commisoner) couldn't let go....

Spawnomite

11-02-2007, 07:31 AM

so much drama with Bonds.

madden821

11-02-2007, 07:42 AM

We seem to have a lot of judges, jurys and executioners on this board
Does anyone have any proof he has used performance enhancing drugs?
If so, let's see your evidence.
Last time I checked, in America, you are innocent until proven guilty
Has that changed?

This is a start...

Barry Bonds testified to a grand jury that he used a clear substance and a cream given to him by a trainer who was indicted in a steroid-distribution ring, but said he didn't know they were steroids, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.
Bonds told a U.S. grand jury that he used undetectable steroids known as "the cream" and "the clear," which he received from personal trainer Greg Anderson during the 2003 season. According to Bonds, the trainer told him the substances were the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and a pain-relieving balm for the player's arthritis.

According to government attorneys, BALCO founder Victor Conte has identified the designer steroid THG as "the clear." A testosterone-based ointment was identified as "the cream." Olympic sprinter Tim Montgomery testified that Conte used flaxseed oil containers to send "the clear" to athletes.
According to a transcript of Bonds' Dec. 4, 2003, testimony reviewed by the Chronicle, prosecutors confronted the slugger with documents allegedly detailing the steroids he used -- "the cream," "the clear," human growth hormone, Depo-Testosterone, insulin and a drug for female infertility that can be used to mask steroid use.

Detroit Dogg

11-02-2007, 07:43 AM

"You cannot give people the freedom"

*Snicker*

~Dre

koreapeekay

11-02-2007, 07:52 AM

In my opinion putting an asterisk on said ball would be disrespecting both the player and the game.

No one should have the right to do anything to the ball except Barry himself.

AndyMatz

11-02-2007, 08:16 AM

In my opinion putting an asterisk on said ball would be disrespecting both the player and the game.

I agree. While I dont care for the guy, I think the ball must be left "as is" ..... If he is found guilty in the future, then a symbol on the ball wont even be necessary.

Durstlimpbizkit

11-02-2007, 08:20 AM

Okay, but wouldn't putting an asterisk be considered part of history as well? Because the attitudes of the time directly affect history just as much as the future perspectives do. I think the asterisk is just as much a part of history as the syringes that called his butt home are.

sibelius

11-02-2007, 08:27 AM

In my opinion putting an asterisk on said ball would be disrespecting both the player and the game.

No one should have the right to do anything to the ball except Barry himself.

I think you've got it backwards. Bonds showed disrespect to the ball and the game and he continues to do it even now. I think the asterisk is absolutely appropriate and I hope he stays away from Coopertown.

If he didn't want an asterisk on the ball he should have bought it himself.

Detroit Dogg

11-02-2007, 08:36 AM

I think you've got it backwards. Bonds showed disrespect to the ball and the game and he continues to do it even now. I think the asterisk is absolutely appropriate and I hope he stays away from Coopertown.

If he didn't want an asterisk on the ball he should have bought it himself.

Bingo.

~Dre

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 08:38 AM

Durstlimpbizkit

11-02-2007, 08:49 AM

Why do you think this? Even if the rumors were true, he used it before it was banned by MLB.

You've gotta look beyond that because that's not even what he's talking about. He's saying that if he really cared that much about the ball then he should have done what some players do and just politely set up a price with the person who caught it and purchase it from them.

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 08:51 AM

You've gotta look beyond that because that's not even what he's talking about. He's saying that if he really cared that much about the ball then he should have done what some players do and just politely set up a price with the person who caught it and purchase it from them.

How was he supposed to know that someone deface it and then the HOF would agree to put the defaced ball on display?

Durstlimpbizkit

11-02-2007, 08:55 AM

How was he supposed to know that someone deface it and then the HOF would agree to put the defaced ball on display?

I don't know, but all I'm saying is what some other people have already said, if he wanted the ball, then go buy it. Obviously if he didn't care enough about the ball to buy it then he really shouldn't be whining.

sibelius

11-02-2007, 09:01 AM

Why do you think this? Even if the rumors were true, he used it before it was banned by MLB.

Actually, he admitted using it in 2003 and the initial steroid testing program started in 2002. He has admitted to only a fraction of the usage it would take to cause the massive changes to his body and his production numbers, so he's a liar as well as a cheat.

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 09:01 AM

I don't know, but all I'm saying is what some other people have already said, if he wanted the ball, then go buy it. Obviously if he didn't care enough about the ball to buy it then he really shouldn't be whining.

I really don't think it's a matter of Bonds now wanting the ball. It's about purposely defacing it and then the HOF agreeing to display the ball in its defaced state.

sibelius

11-02-2007, 09:04 AM

How was he supposed to know that someone deface it and then the HOF would agree to put the defaced ball on display?

it doesn't matter. If he really cared about the ball he could have bid on it. He could have treated the guy who caught it better in the first place instead of being his usual obnoxious self, and worked out an arrangement to buy it himself. He didn't. Someone else bought the ball and they can do as they wish with it.

The asterisk represents the attitude a major portion of the fan base holds regarding Bonds as well as a significant problem the sport is dealing with right now. Historically speaking, I think it's entirely appropriate to be on the ball and on display in the hall.

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 09:06 AM

Actually, he admitted using it in 2003 and the initial steroid testing program started in 2002. He has admitted to only a fraction of the usage it would take to cause the massive changes to his body and his production numbers, so he's a liar as well as a cheat.

When did he admit to using it? In front of the Grand Jury? That testimony is still sealed.

MLB didn't ban steroids until 2005. Does anyone have any proof that Bonds used steroids between 2005 and now?

Durstlimpbizkit

11-02-2007, 09:06 AM

I really don't think it's a matter of Bonds now wanting the ball. It's about purposely defacing it and then the HOF agreeing to display the ball in its defaced state.

Yes. But do you at least understand what me and Sibelius are saying? When the fan initially caught the ball, Bonds made absolutely no attempts to even try to buy the ball. He didn't care then, why should he care now?

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 09:20 AM

Yes. But do you at least understand what me and Sibelius are saying? When the fan initially caught the ball, Bonds made absolutely no attempts to even try to buy the ball. He didn't care then, why should he care now?

I have no problem whatsoever with the millionaire t-shirt designer buying the ball and then doing with it whatever he wishes. What I have a problem with is the HOF agreeing to take the ball after it has been defaced and agreeing to display it. I think once it’s been defaced or altered by the t-shirt guy, the historical significance of the ball is gone.

I would say the same thing if a Lou Gehrig fan somehow acquired the jersey Cal Ripken wore then night he broke Gehrig’s record and somehow defaced it. Remember, there were a lot of baseball fans that thought Ripken shouldn’t be allowed to break Gehrig’s record. The idea was the reason Ripken caught up with Gehrig was that Gehrig was cut down early by ALS.

If the HOF is going to start allowing historical memorabilia to be defaced, it sets a dangerous president. You may see companies buying balls and bats just so they can put their logo or website on it and then have it featured in the HOF.

Random Task

11-02-2007, 10:42 AM

Has the ball already been "branded" yet?

MCWHITEY

11-02-2007, 10:58 AM

He should've put some thought into this B4 sticking hisass wit roids

rarechaselimitedvariation

11-02-2007, 10:58 AM

I think him and terrel owens copy from each other's scripts :D

MCWHITEY

11-02-2007, 11:05 AM

You guys are silly, he is one of the best players ever. Take away the speculation.

WHAT??????? speculation, , , , its not 1987 bro.

your very unintentionally funny

sibelius

11-02-2007, 11:14 AM

When did he admit to using it? In front of the Grand Jury? That testimony is still sealed.

MLB didn't ban steroids until 2005. Does anyone have any proof that Bonds used steroids between 2005 and now?

You're really stretching to try and rationalize his behavior. MLB had a program in place in 2002 that included treatment and/or suspensions.

Why not simply acknowledge that Bonds used performance-enhancing drugs, he cheated, he's lied about it, he's a bigot who hates white people, he's a miserable person in general and a terrible representative for the game of baseball - and you're fine with all that because he hit some roid-enabled home runs and that's all that matters?

Addicted 2 Collecting

11-02-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote "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."

What kind of taxes?

sibelius

11-02-2007, 11:23 AM

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 11:31 AM

You're really stretching to try and rationalize his behavior. MLB had a program in place in 2002 that included treatment and/or suspensions.

Treatment? From taking steroids? Nobody was suspended from MLB until 2005 when it actual became a banned substance. Until then, it wasn't banned.

Why not simply acknowledge that Bonds used performance-enhancing drugs, he cheated, he's lied about it, he's a bigot who hates white people, he's a miserable person in general and a terrible representative for the game of baseball - and you're fine with all that because he hit some roid-enabled home runs and that's all that matters?I don't know that he did use performance enhancing drugs. That's the thing, nobody knows. I do know that he hasn't tested positive for steroids like some of the pitchers has faced. If it wasn't against the rules, it cannot be considered cheating.

I don't care if he doesn't like white people. I don't care if he is a miserable person. I don't care if he is a terrible representative for the game of baseball because the last time I checked, that's not his job.

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 11:35 AM

The IRS sent him a bill for taxes on the value of the ball - they viewed it as taxable income.No they didn't. The reason he gave for selling the ball was because he feared he would be liable for a tax bill. No such bill was ever sent to him. In fact, the IRS never contacted him.

It was all hypothetical on his part.

sibelius

11-02-2007, 11:53 AM

Treatment? From taking steroids? Nobody was suspended from MLB until 2005 when it actual became a banned substance. Until then, it wasn't banned.

I don't know that he did use performance enhancing drugs. That's the thing, nobody knows. I do know that he hasn't tested positive for steroids like some of the pitchers has faced. If it wasn't against the rules, it cannot be considered cheating.

I don't care if he doesn't like white people. I don't care if he is a miserable person. I don't care if he is a terrible representative for the game of baseball because the last time I checked, that's not his job.

Regarding the 2005 steroid policy:

Under the old policy, which was established in 2002, a first-time offense would only result in treatment for the player, and the player would not even be named. The 2005 agreement changed this rule so that first-time offenders were named and suspended.

There was a policy from 2002 and it did set out treatment AND suspension policies for steroid use. The 2005 agreement simply made the policy more forceful.

You can look at Bonds and see that he's been using steroids. If you can't see that, you're like the little kid who plugs his ears and yells "LA-LA-LA-LA" when someone is telling him something he doesn't like. It's obvious he was cheating. His whole physique changed drastically. His hitting performance changed drastically. Other players have come out and said he was juicing.

If it wasn't cheating, why hasn't he simply been honest and said, "yep, I was juicing big time for years. It wasn't against the rules so I did it." He doesn't care about anyone but himself, so he wouldn't care if people didn't like it if he said that - unless he knew it would come back to hurt him.

I do care that he hates whites, that he's a filthbag. As a sports celebrity he has a responsibility to represent his sport. He's a miserable excuse for a human and an awful representative of the game. Athletes have been representatives of their community and role models since the first Olympic games in ancient Greece. Just because some arrogant jock like Bonds doesn't feel like accepting that reality, it doesn't make it any less a reality.

Durstlimpbizkit

11-02-2007, 11:55 AM

Regarding the 2005 steroid policy:

Under the old policy, which was established in 2002, a first-time offense would only result in treatment for the player, and the player would not even be named. The 2005 agreement changed this rule so that first-time offenders were named and suspended.

There was a policy from 2002 and it did set out treatment AND suspension policies for steroid use. The 2005 agreement simply made the policy more forceful.

You can look at Bonds and see that he's been using steroids. If you can't see that, you're like the little kid who plugs his ears and yells "LA-LA-LA-LA" when someone is telling him something he doesn't like. It's obvious he was cheating. His whole physique changed drastically. His hitting performance changed drastically. Other players have come out and said he was juicing.

If it wasn't cheating, why hasn't he simply been honest and said, "yep, I was juicing big time for years. It wasn't against the rules so I did it." He doesn't care about anyone but himself, so he wouldn't care if people didn't like it if he said that - unless he knew it would come back to hurt him.

I do care that he hates whites, that he's a filthbag. As a sports celebrity he has a responsibility to represent his sport. He's a miserable excuse for a human and an awful representative of the game. Athletes have been representatives of their community and role models since the first Olympic games in ancient Greece. Just because some arrogant jock like Bonds doesn't feel like accepting that reality, it doesn't make it any less a reality.

**Bows down to Sibelius**

sibelius

11-02-2007, 11:55 AM

No they didn't. The reason he gave for selling the ball was because he feared he would be liable for a tax bill. No such bill was ever sent to him. In fact, the IRS never contacted him.

It was all hypothetical on his part.

I had heard that he actually received a letter from the IRS - I'll accept what you're saying, that what I heard was misreporting, based on what you're saying here. He did say that he was selling the ball because of income taxes he would be facing, however, which was the answer to the original question being asked.

Rick in Maryland

11-02-2007, 12:32 PM

There was a policy from 2002 and it did set out treatment AND suspension policies for steroid use. The 2005 agreement simply made the policy more forceful.

You are confusing the minor league policy with the MLB policy. Steroids weren't on the MLB banned list until 2005. That's why the first suspension in MLB didn't happen until the end of 2005.

You can look at Bonds and see that he's been using steroids. If you can't see that, you're like the little kid who plugs his ears and yells "LA-LA-LA-LA" when someone is telling him something he doesn't like. It's obvious he was cheating. His whole physique changed drastically. His hitting performance changed drastically. Other players have come out and said he was juicing.
I get the feeling you don't really understand what steroids do and don't do for a person. Most people don’t. You cannot tell by looking at a person that they are using anabolic steroids.

If it wasn't cheating, why hasn't he simply been honest and said, "yep, I was juicing big time for years. It wasn't against the rules so I did it." Maybe because he didn’t knowingly ever take steroids. That is what he has been consistently saying.
I do care that he hates whites, that he's a filthbag. As a sports celebrity he has a responsibility to represent his sport. He's a miserable excuse for a human and an awful representative of the game. Athletes have been representatives of their community and role models since the first Olympic games in ancient Greece. Just because some arrogant jock like Bonds doesn't feel like accepting that reality, it doesn't make it any less a reality.
Well that is certainly your right as a fan. Nobody is telling you that you have to hang a Barry Bonds poster in your bedroom. Nobody is saying you have to personally like him as a human being. Then again, unless you are in a position to actual know him as a person, you are only making judgments based on the words and opinions of others. Personally, I don’t care to do that. I would rather judge him by the only criteria I know to be correct. That would be his actual performance on the field. That being said, Barry Bonds is the greatest baseball player I have ever seen.

It’s not important to me that he be a good role model to you are anyone else. It’s not important to me that you think he is a “filthbag”. I don’t even know what a filthbag is.

LasVegas

11-02-2007, 12:46 PM

If MLB was the ones putting an * on the ball if Bonds is found guilty in court that would be one thing, however its Rhino Brand Fashion Dork Marc Ecko who is doing this, yes people voted for it, but still this guy defacing the ball is still wrong, I understand he owns the ball and can do with it as he pleases, but if he does put an * on the ball hopefully the Hall Of Fame will simply return it to him. I have a Summer trip to New York planned with the Hall Of Fame being part of the trip, but if they get the ball with a * on it and display it at all I will NOT be visiting the Hall Of Fame and will add another Yankee game or somthing.

mfan

11-02-2007, 01:07 PM

Doesn't the media have to vote Barry in? The same media that Barry has dissed (in their eyes) his whole career? The same media that didn't elect Mark McGwire when he became eligible? Do I have my facts right? If so, I don't think Barry is getting in.

Go Seahawks

11-02-2007, 01:11 PM

If Bonds didn't want the ball branded he could've done one simple thing, bought the ball himself.

Poochiesdead

11-02-2007, 01:17 PM

I hate to say it, but good for Bonds. Like it or not he is an important player in the history of baseball and like it or not he will get voted into the hall of fame. And to have this guy deface an important part of baseball history for ****s and giggles is just stupid.

owenstar

11-02-2007, 01:39 PM

You are confusing the minor league policy with the MLB policy. Steroids weren't on the MLB banned list until 2005. That's why the first suspension in MLB didn't happen until the end of 2005.

I get the feeling you don't really understand what steroids do and don't do for a person. Most people don’t. You cannot tell by looking at a person that they are using anabolic steroids.

Maybe because he didn’t knowingly ever take steroids. That is what he has been consistently saying.

Well that is certainly your right as a fan. Nobody is telling you that you have to hang a Barry Bonds poster in your bedroom. Nobody is saying you have to personally like him as a human being. Then again, unless you are in a position to actual know him as a person, you are only making judgments based on the words and opinions of others. Personally, I don’t care to do that. I would rather judge him by the only criteria I know to be correct. That would be his actual performance on the field. That being said, Barry Bonds is the greatest baseball player I have ever seen.

It’s not important to me that he be a good role model to you are anyone else. It’s not important to me that you think he is a “filthbag”. I don’t even know what a filthbag is.

BOWS to Rick...

All of your posts rock...

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone....

This obsession with sports stars as being super human without faults is ridiculous...this aint the 40's or 50's anymore....the media and the fans put way too much pressure on these athletes...get out of their faces 24/7 and maybe the perception would be different....I know I wouldnt want some reporter in my grill after a tough loss while trying to shower and dress...I know I have heard it before its the price of fame....its their job...just like mine...it puts food on the table and a roof over the heads of their families....they shouldnt have to deal with it, just like you and I dont....

craigjames

11-02-2007, 01:50 PM

I'm not an MLB fan and I don't know much about baseball but its fun to read both sides of the arguement.

However, I'd have to agree with the people who say it doesn't matter. You can't just label a baseball with an asterisk becasue it's assumed someone took steroids. Plus you can't prove he took them after they were banned. End of story

Go Seahawks

11-02-2007, 02:00 PM

King Smokey

11-02-2007, 02:35 PM

He doesn't want to be in the HOF because the fans of the game think he cheated?

GOOD!!!

rocketsan22

11-02-2007, 02:46 PM

Someone should grab the ball just as they're about to brand it, run over to Lake Ontario and throw it in...

Just like that dude did to Babe's first homerun ball...

GuhsDreg

11-02-2007, 03:15 PM

Steroids are illegal in the U.S. w/o a doctor's prescription. So, it shouldn't matter if baseball outlawed them or not, unless he only used them in Montreal when they played the Expos, he is a criminal and shouldn't be allowed in the Hall.

Yes, banned or not, they were illegal for him to use.

Voodoo Chylde

11-02-2007, 03:26 PM

I have no problem whatsoever with the millionaire t-shirt designer buying the ball and then doing with it whatever he wishes. What I have a problem with is the HOF agreeing to take the ball after it has been defaced and agreeing to display it. I think once it’s been defaced or altered by the t-shirt guy, the historical significance of the ball is gone.

I would say the same thing if a Lou Gehrig fan somehow acquired the jersey Cal Ripken wore then night he broke Gehrig’s record and somehow defaced it. Remember, there were a lot of baseball fans that thought Ripken shouldn’t be allowed to break Gehrig’s record. The idea was the reason Ripken caught up with Gehrig was that Gehrig was cut down early by ALS.

If the HOF is going to start allowing historical memorabilia to be defaced, it sets a dangerous president. You may see companies buying balls and bats just so they can put their logo or website on it and then have it featured in the HOF.

You're argument is only half valid. I submit to you that by the very nature of a person buying said ball and public sentiment being so strong about said player that they would vote to place an asterisk on the ball, that makes it one of THE most historic baseballs on display IN Cooperstown! Name me another ball in the HOF with this much buzz surrounding it? Find me another ball in the hall with anything other than pine tar stains and splinters on it.

As for this starting a dangerous trend, no it won't. Why simple. This marking of the ball was THE FIRST, and made a profound statement. Any other defacing of memorabilia would be seen as the cheap knockoff that it would be and the HOF would tell the owner to get bent.

owenstar

11-02-2007, 03:32 PM

Steroids are illegal in the U.S. w/o a doctor's prescription. So, it shouldn't matter if baseball outlawed them or not, unless he only used them in Montreal when they played the Expos, he is a criminal and shouldn't be allowed in the Hall.

Do all of you people believe its difficult to get a perscription from a dr for steriods??? Look at pro wrestling

Voodoo Chylde

11-02-2007, 03:34 PM

I get the feeling you don't really understand what steroids do and don't do for a person. Most people don’t. You cannot tell by looking at a person that they are using anabolic steroids.

That statement is patently false. Are you going to stand by that assertion that there are no physical, telltale signs of steroid use? What medical training/ education are you basing this on? I will be more than happy to find electronic versions of my anatomy and physiology and PDR (Physician's Desk Reference) to debate that assertion with you further.

Also, your statement about understanding what steriods do and don't do for a person is also misleading. There are several differnet types of steroids; some natural and some synthetic and they will effect each individual person's physiology in different ways.

Voodoo Chylde

11-02-2007, 03:35 PM

Do all of you people believe its difficult to get a perscription from a dr for steriods??? Look at pro wrestling

And look at Benoit's doctor about to go to jail for illegally prescribing them.

darealdiggler

11-02-2007, 04:00 PM

Guy's if Bonds didn't want an asterisk on his ball he should have payed the price to own it. Second, he said the owner can do what ever he wanted to do with the ball. Well the owner sold the ball and that makes ecko the new owner. So why is he crying? The best part of this story is that "The slugger has denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs" I guess he knows now.

owenstar

11-12-2007, 03:12 PM

And look at Benoit's doctor about to go to jail for illegally prescribing them.

I never said they wont go to jail...and the only reason he is going to jail is cause benoit freaked out...otherwise no one would even take a second look...hell you can get meds from mexico these days...its just easy to do...thats all I am saying

Brad2001

11-20-2007, 10:02 PM

When did he admit to using it? In front of the Grand Jury? That testimony is still sealed.

MLB didn't ban steroids until 2005. Does anyone have any proof that Bonds used steroids between 2005 and now?

Ok, I did a little research. Steroids were banned by MLB in 1990 after congress deemed them to be 'illegal drugs'.

These quotes below are from the 1997 MLB policy put out by Bud Selig:

''The possession, sale or use of any illegal drug or controlled substance by Major League players and personnel is strictly prohibited.''

''This prohibition applies to all illegal drugs and controlled substances, including steroids or prescription drugs for which the individual in possession of the drug does not have a prescription.''

''Baseball will not hesitate to permanently remove from the game those players and personnel who, despite our efforts to treat and rehabilitate, refuse to accept responsibility for the problem and continue to use illegal drugs.''

ImessedwithTexas

11-20-2007, 10:32 PM

I wonder if Bonds will boycott going #2 if his bum gets branded in jail. :D

lwagner57

11-21-2007, 12:42 PM

Good he doesn't deserve to be there anyway. MLB has already became a 3 ring circus and adding players like Bonds to the Hall Of Fame will cause baseball to become a bigger joke and will be a spit in the face to all the other greats who are in the Hall of Fame who actually got there without the "Clear".

ImessedwithTexas

11-21-2007, 07:44 PM