by Ekim Seyer

Created on: November 11, 2009   Last Updated: November 13, 2009

Why should Barry Bonds be stripped of his accomplishments? Just because someone in a powerful position decided he did not like Barry for whatever reason, it is not reason enough to delete someone's claim to fame. For argument's sake, let us say that Bonds did do what he is accused of, he still went out on the field and performed, he caught the ball, he ran the bases when he hit the ball, and he hit the homeruns.

In baseball, if you cannot do any of those things, you are not considered or allowed to play in any form of organized ball except peewee (beginner) leagues. Fast pitch hardball is not an easy game to play at any level, but only the best survive and advance. For every major league player in the bigs there are at least 50 minor leaguers who have been been axed from pro ball because they could not hit a hardball thrown in their direction. Most of baseball, especially in the Major Leagues, batting is the ultimate show. What a player does with the bat is foremost in his ability to stay in the majors. Yes there are some who stay because of their glove work, but there are a lot more who hang on because of their hitting than their fielding, and Barry Bonds was one of those. His batting prowess was without a doubt, fearful to pitchers and managers. The taking of drugs did not give him unnatural abilities to see the ball better, hit the ball farther, or catch the ball easier. So he developed stronger muscles, big deal, he still had to go to the plate and perform!

"Ole" Arnold Schwarz' was a body builder and it is rumored that he took the same drugs that Barry Bonds took, I would of liked to have seen him come to the plate and try to hit a 95 mile an hour fastball from Roger C or Randy whatshisname or any flame throwing pitcher and hit monstrous homeruns that Barry was known for. That goes for anyone who is strong built. Can they come to the plate and hit one out just because they can out muscle the average joe? I doubt it.

If they do not have the ability to play the game, they are going to be in baseball less than a minute. Barry made it through 14-15 seasons maybe more, I did not follow his career, but he was no slouch. He proved he belonged and he deserves to be highlighted as a quality player, drugs or no drugs. Like I said before, the drugs did not make him better, they did not improve his skills, they did not enhance his capabilities to play the game, he got stronger by them, but that in itself did not help improve his playing a kid's game. Drugs for all intents and purposes will diminish your abilities to think and do, so condemn him for killing his body, not for being the player that everyone feared, jeered and booed.

In sports you can be the worst of the scum of the earth, but as long as you can produce what the fans want, you will be around for as long as you are able, but when your skills fail you, your sport will do the same.

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