My opinions regarding Bonds have really changed lately ... I used to be a card-carrying member of the pitchfork and burning torches brigade, but there are several things about Bonds that need to be taken into account:
1. Steroids or not he was always, always a supremely talented ballplayer. Look at the quote in the original piece and it is all true. Like him or not, Bonds is an incredible athlete.
2. In the age of the Tank Johnsons and Pacman Joneses of professional sports, there must be credit given for someone who isn't out shooting people or the like.
3. He's a boor who antagonizes the media and thumbs his nose at baseball? Can you blame him? Wouldn't you?
Not to mention the fact that it doesn't really matter: Alex Rodriguez is going to destroy whatever record Bonds ends up with.
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