Should you root for Barry Bonds? - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Vulcan · 07-09-2007, 03:54 AM

Roger Maris faced a lot of hate as he dueled it out with Mickey Mantle for Babe Ruth's single season home run record. Now that was exciting. If Mantle had of broken it, nobody would have minded as Mickey was a media darling and had earned his place as a star. Maris was an introvert, hated the spotlight, and had never done anything before or after to earn the fans adoration or respect. Still, he was an honest veteran who got hot. Likewise Bonds, in my mind, hasn't earned the record, in fact he's a known cheat. I turn the channel every time Bonds is mentioned. I can't stand the guy and he's part of the problem, along with other steroid abusers, that has turned me off baseball.

Cowperson · 07-09-2007, 07:24 AM

Don't root for Barry Bonds. It's a sham record.

Cowperson

GirlySports · 07-09-2007, 07:49 AM

Since when have we as a society cared so much about records?
On TSN and ESPN they care more about Bonds hitting a home run then the Giants actually winning the game. It's turned into a ratings sham.

The more important number for me about Bonds is 0. As in 0 Championship Rings. He could hit 1000 homers and it wouldn't matter.

He'll also be remembered for that 52 bouncer he threw in 1992 that let Sid Bream score the winning run in the NLCS.

habernac · 07-09-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowperson

Don't root for Barry Bonds. It's a sham record.

Cowperson

61 is still the record in my mind. And it's a great movie as well for those of you who haven't had a chance to see it.

Jason14h · 07-09-2007, 08:24 AM

It wasn't cheating! It wasn't against the rules

ricosuave · 07-09-2007, 08:30 AM

Just to play devil's advocate here.

Lots of people cheered when McGuire and Sosa were in their home run race, and c'mon, if you didn't think they were juiced at the time as well, then you have your head in the sand. Its common knowledge that both were now, yet no one seems to care about it.

I agree that Bonds is the type of athlete that you love to hate, because he's arrogant, selfish, not team oriented, etc, but the fact is, he is about to beat a record for home runs, and he has not been convicted or suspended for the steroid use, so because of that, he should be recognized as such. It doesnt mean everyone will like it, but he still should be recognized.

Roger Clemens is one of the most arrogant and self serving players to ever put on a jersey, and he's still throwing heat into his 40s - does he get the same scrutiny or disdain?

Like it or not, ANY record is fair game until baseball gets it head out of its but and addresses the problems like this in the game before they take on this type of status.

I will not root for Bonds simply because I don't like him, but he should be recognized for his (enhanced) efforts nonetheless.

J pold · 07-09-2007, 08:53 AM

No

The homerun record is the most storied in all of sports and shouldn’t be tampered with

habernac · 07-09-2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricosuave

Just to play devil's advocate here.

Lots of people cheered when McGuire and Sosa were in their home run race, and c'mon, if you didn't think they were juiced at the time as well, then you have your head in the sand. Its common knowledge that both were now, yet no one seems to care about it.

I agree that Bonds is the type of athlete that you love to hate, because he's arrogant, selfish, not team oriented, etc, but the fact is, he is about to beat a record for home runs, and he has not been convicted or suspended for the steroid use, so because of that, he should be recognized as such. It doesnt mean everyone will like it, but he still should be recognized.

Roger Clemens is one of the most arrogant and self serving players to ever put on a jersey, and he's still throwing heat into his 40s - does he get the same scrutiny or disdain?

Like it or not, ANY record is fair game until baseball gets it head out of its but and addresses the problems like this in the game before they take on this type of status.

I will not root for Bonds simply because I don't like him, but he should be recognized for his (enhanced) efforts nonetheless.

some great points, rico. MLB should take most of the blame for their pathetic (read: non existant) drug testing policies of the past 15 years or so. Selig was so glad baseball was getting attention when Sosa and McGuire were hitting the ball a mile, he didn't care if they were eating babies to get stronger. But I still don't think he should be recognized as the record holder, he has admitted to taking steroids (though he says he did it without his knowledge).

And there are a huge number of people who hate Clemens. Wait for the "HGH" chant if he ever pitches in Boston this year. Funniest thing I read in a long time, can't remember where, was the suggestion that he wear a hat with a $$ on it when he gets elected to the baseball hall of fame.

socalwingfan · 07-09-2007, 09:01 AM

Can't cheer for the guy - I don't care about the 'roids it's his attitude and whole stand at the plate for 5 minutes while admiring my homerun BS.
That said - I was in SF a couple of weekends ago for the Yankees series, and the electricity in the park whenever he came up to bat was amazing. Also the show he put on in BP was pretty amazing.

mykalberta · 07-09-2007, 09:26 AM

I hope the baseball writers association at least has the chops to disallow him entrance to the HoF.

If MLB cant clean up its act someone must intervene so the perverseness of steroids doesnt become common place in our society. I would prefer if congress would keep its nose out, but maybe they will need to do what the WWE had to do and start calling it sports entertainment and not sports.

MYK

Cowperson · 07-09-2007, 09:29 AM

Lots of people cheered when McGuire and Sosa were in their home run race, and c'mon, if you didn't think they were juiced at the time as well, then you have your head in the sand.

I have a clear conscience in that regard . . . . . I didn't like it then, didn't mind saying so and don't like it now and don't mind saying so.

But, in fairness to Bonds, the players association, owners and the players were all in collusion at the time to ignore the issue and, technically, he did not break any rules. . . . . . and its come back to bite them in the butt.

Definitely a black mark in baseball history.

Cowperson

ricosuave · 07-09-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I hope the baseball writers association at least has the chops to disallow him entrance to the HoF.

That in itself would be another huge can of worms, even if he doesn't break Aaron's record.

soulchoice · 07-09-2007, 09:48 AM

Hmmm, i may be in the minority, but I will cheer for him. I have always been a Bonds fan. I guess its because I have never judged an athlete on how he is with respect to fans or media. Granted I will always admire aa guy like Jarome, whom seems nice to everyone, but at the same time can still watch an athlete like Bonds do his thing.

mykalberta · 07-09-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulchoice

Hmmm, i may be in the minority, but I will cheer for him. I have always been a Bonds fan. I guess its because I have never judged an athlete on how he is with respect to fans or media. Granted I will always admire aa guy like Jarome, whom seems nice to everyone, but at the same time can still watch an athlete like Bonds do his thing.

I loved Bonds in his early years, i could care less how atheletes interact with fans/media. In Bonds defence, he saw the obvious perverseness of MLB to get fans back from the lockout by turning a blind eye to Big Mac and Corkin Sammie Sossa.

MLB doesnt really have a leg to stand on in the Bonds situation because of its history of ignorance and neglect. MLB is no longer sports and has turned into sports entertainment.

MYK

soulchoice · 07-09-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I loved Bonds in his early years, i could care less how atheletes interact with fans/media. In Bonds defence, he saw the obvious perverseness of MLB to get fans back from the lockout by turning a blind eye to Big Mac and Corkin Sammie Sossa.

MLB doesnt really have a leg to stand on in the Bonds situation because of its history of ignorance and neglect. MLB is no longer sports and has turned into sports entertainment.

MYK

Very well said. I too dont care how any athlete interacts with fans or media either. In addition, even if they are not considered a good role model for fans, i dont care. I dont need an athlete to be a role model for me or my kids.

Ben Johnson still is a fast man!!!!!

Dion · 07-09-2007, 10:19 AM

Another reason to dislike Bonds..........

http://www.examiner.com/a-819036~Ano...ing_Barry.html

Bonds wanted to be in the All-Star Game to bask in adulation from his team’s fans. But rather than giving fans what they really want, Bonds has settled for the bare minimum, which is all his selfish heart can spare. He says the contest would tire his 42-year-old body.

“It’s not that you don’t want to, it’s that you just can’t anymore,” Bonds told those reporters. “You can’t. It’s too long. Too much waiting. Too much sitting around. You can’t do that.”

Bonds makes it sound like the Home Run Derby is nothing more than a glorified batting practice.

No one is asking him to win it. He should just give the fans of San Francisco, and baseball for that matter, a “thank you,” by participating in the contest.

History says that the stubborn Bonds will not budge, which comes as no surprise since Barry does what Barry wants.

ricosuave · 07-09-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion

Barry does what Barry wants.

I know it wasnt YOUR quote, but Dion doesnt do what Dion wants?

It might be disappointing for fans, but I don't think its as big a deal as the author is making it out to be.

Dion · 07-09-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricosuave

I know it wasnt YOUR quote, but Dion doesnt do what Dion wants?

It might be disappointing for fans, but I don't think its as big a deal as the author is making it out to be.

If i'm a pro athlete and fans vote me into the allstar game i'll do what I can to repay them. I'm willing to be his hometown fans wanted to see him in the HR derby - especially since the game is being held in San Fransico.

ZDogg · 07-09-2007, 10:44 AM

It's Baseball.... aren't we Hockey fans? I can't believe so many people in here care about this. I couldn't care less what happens in the MLB. Overpaid, Boring... Roid cases, tainted records... just say no to MLB.

ricoFlame · 07-09-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDogg

It's Baseball.... aren't we Hockey fans? I can't believe so many people in here care about this. I couldn't care less what happens in the MLB. Overpaid, Boring... Roid cases, tainted records... just say no to MLB.

that's right, cause lord knows people here only care about and follow one sport