Politics, News & Issues >
Baseball
Get a Widget for this title
RSS FeedDo you respect Barry Bonds' breaking of Major League Baseball's home run record?
Results so far:
| Yes | 49% | 169 votes | Total: 345 votes | |
| No | 51% | 176 votes |
Yes
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to FavoritesThe Major League Baseball home run record is one of the more hallowed records in professional sports. To break this record took dedication, skill, longevity, and perseverance. Statistically speaking, there are few people in the world who can perform at this level when it comes to baseball. Therefore, I respect that Barry Bonds broke the record.
What clouds the issue is the WAY that he broke the record. The general public believes that he "cheated" in order to break this record. For many people, this taints the accomplishment. But let's be fair. With all of the press surrounding Barry and this issue, he STILL has not failed a drug test (to our knowledge), he still hasn't been convicted of a crime (yet) and we do not have a definitive conclusion as to whether or not he accomplished this BECAUSE of chemical help (if he had help).
I am not an expert on human biology and I am not an expert on baseball history. What I do know is that the game today is different than in past years. In addition to the alleged steroid use, today's players have more resources in terms of conditioning and nutrition. Some experts argue that the ball is wound tighter and that the ballparks are smaller. In addition, the seasons are longer which can result in more accumulation of statistics. Therefore, it is very difficult to make a judgment on this record in terms of its place in history. What might have Babe Ruth accomplished if he had laid off the booze and hot dogs and hit the gym once in a while? Finally, some experts suggest that players have been using some sort of performance enhancements for decades, not just years. The type of substances may have changed, but the presence of chemical help may have been around a lot longer than people realize.
The final component of this question is the issue of persona. Respect is about what people accomplish but it is also about the person themselves. Regardless of what people accomplish, it is easier for us to respect people that we 'like'. Few people seem to profess their love for the personality of Barry Bonds. Were this a lovable and popular player, the story might be reported differently, even with the same facts.
For now, I will respect the accomplishment, even if I am not a fan of the personality.
Learn more about this author, Todd Pheifer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
Why does Barry Bonds deserve my respect? Simply put, he doesn't. Yes he is in the history books for hitting the most home runs all-time, but did he do it with class or without cheating, I think not. No one should respect a silver spooned crybaby who had to cheat his way to get to the top.
First, lets tackle the class issue. Pro athletes are the envy of every young boy and many adults, whether they like it or not. Simply doing great between the lines of the field is not enough. They should act like role models, not to say they have to live the ideal off field life, but they should treat people with respect like a role model should. Barry Bonds treated no one with respect, his teammates and the media all hated the guy because of the way he treated them. He will go down in baseball history as one of the biggest jerks who ever played the game. In America we don't respect that type of attitude especially in someone who is supposed to a role model. Bonds was given every opportunity to succeed at America's favorite game and he did. Yet, one would think someone in his position would have been gracious for all his opportunities and successes, but he wasn't. Also, with his huge stardom he could have done great things to promote the game and give something back to say thanks for all the things baseball had done for hime. Instead Bonds just gave everyone attitude and nothing back to the game, what a guy.
Next, HE CHEATED! He took steroids; we all know it and that is not only cheating but steroids are also illegal. The fact of the matter is he would NOT have broken the record without steroids. So he cheated to break a record, is that respectable? This guy was born into baseball royalty, he grew up around the all-time greats and that alone is more of an advantage than just about anyone has had. But he had to get an even bigger advantage by taking steroids. Yes, I know the argument that many people were doing it, but that doesn't make it right, especially if the guy wants our respect.
Any American, not just baseball fans, shouldn't respect Barry Bonds. The man was given every opportunity to succeed in baseball, the American pastime. Yet, he decided to spit on the game by cheating to break its most hallowed record. He acted like he was the king of the game and everyone else was a peasant, in other words completely classless. Someone in his position should have tried to give back to the game that gave him so much, but not Barry. To get respect you give respect, that's why I don't respect Barry Bonds.
Learn more about this author, John Krutz.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
- Baseball
- Should the Chicago Cubs end the practice of the 7th inning guest conductor of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame?"
- Who will have a better 2010 season, the Mets or Phillies?
- Should player violence against umpires be a league matter or criminal?
- Is Alex Rodriguez the best player in baseball?
- Are MLB pitchers capable of complete games?
- Is Little League for parents or children?
