Mikey D

Barry Bonds should not be a Hall of Famer. Period.

Baseball is a game rich in history. It's records are sacred and an intrical part to the game. Because of this, baseball takes players that do the game wrong very seriously in order to preserve its prestige. The Black Sox scandal of 1919, where the White Sox threw the World Series against the Reds set the precedent for baseball discipline. As prevalent as steroids are today, gambling and game fixing was just as rampid then. The reaction was harsh, as eight members of the White Sox were banned for life, including the now infamous Shoeless Joe Jackson. Fast forward almost seventy years when Pete Rose was alleged to have bet on baseball. The reaction was just as harsh, as Rose, baseball's all-time hit king, shared the same fate as the eight members of the Black Sox- banishment from the game of baseball. Integrity is first and foremost in the eyes of baseball, as it was preserves the mystique of the game and the records is holds so dear.

I'm not saying that players who have used steroids should be banned for life from the game. It was obviously something that baseball allowed to happen on their watch, and now they must fix. But like players of the past who received lifetime bans from the game, they must share the same fate: a tarnished image and an empty spot in Cooperstown that could have held their plaque of immortality. The common denominator between the past and present is that cheaters don't prosper in baseball. It's only fair that Barry share his fate with those cheaters of the past. And not just Barry- McGwire, Palmeiro, and Sosa too. And anyone else that comes to light. They will be acknowledged as cheaters, who chose to play the game the wrong way, and for that they pay the ultimate price for all eternity- baseball disgrace.

Should the records be erased from the record books? I don't want them too. I want them to stand. I watched Bonds break Aaron's record, and it was a very weird feeling that swept over my body. I was not joyous, I was not sad...I was emotionless. After Bonds spoke and thanked everyone, my anger resurfaced. That whole night, those fans...it was all so fake. Bonds thanking those who supported him. Who are they really? Bonds hasn't given the media or fans the time of day throughout his career. The fans cheering. Would they cheer if he wasn't on their team? Would they still be in denial over Barry's steroid use? The greatest baseball record was broken, and I had no emotion except anger running through my body. I was literally ashamed to be a baseball fan that night.

I also realized, however, that I don't want the record books erased. I cannot wait until the next person challenges the home run record (and someone will). I'm confident the next person that challenges the record will do it the right way, without the performance enhancers. And when that person breaks Bonds' hollow record I will be overcome with joy. It will be a celebration of a new and worthy home run king, while also celebrating the fall of an evil villain named Bonds. And that moment will be one to remember. That's one I want to see. A hero will be born that night.

My plea to the baseball voters of the world is to omit Bonds from the Hall of Fame. I know you want to debate about his worthiness, whether his pre-steroid numbers were good enough, or whether he was the product of an era. Maybe writers will still play the 'innocent until proven guilty' card. Just remember that even though he had pre-steroid numbers, he still did steroids. Just remember that even though he was a product of an era, he still did steroids. And even though he has yet to be indicted, it's clear to everyone that he did steroids. Bonds did steroids. Bonds cheated. Bonds should not be allowed in the Hall of Fame- ever.

~Mikey D