Is Barry Bonds a baseball hero? | Napa Valley Register

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Is Barry Bonds a baseball hero?

Monday, July 30, 2007

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46 comment(s)

jim wrote on Jul 25, 2007 6:41 AM:

" ......of course he is! The only controversy is the steroid use. So what; if we took records away from all those that used drugs, what records would we have left?? "

D'Ranae wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:25 AM:

" Steroids, lying, ill-tempered "

busy wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:17 AM:

" Every record he has or will set will be tainted due to steroid allegations. I believe he used steroids and his records should not be valid. I think he is an arrogant liar. "

Rosa wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:25 AM:

" He will never be a hero. Heroes don't lie, cheat or are rude to people, I had the missfortune to watch him when people were asking him for autographs, he was so rude with his comments toward people specially children, my kid got a signature in a baseball I throw to the garbage was not worth it to have it, what a shame that from him to said that he had no idea of what he was taking were steroids!! Please!!!!!!! "

Alan wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:05 AM:

" Pete Rose bet on baseball, abused his wife and kids and lied for years about it. Babe Ruth was a mean drunk and a general all around not-nice-guy. Sammy Sosa and other home run hitters played with corked bats. Countless players in the 60's and 70's took amphetamines, which were and still are illegal. Record holding pitchers threw spitballs. Shall we mention the Black Sox scandal? Barry Bonds, while usually surly and uncooperative with the press, may have taken a steroid that was 1. Legal and 2. Not banned or even addressed by Baseball at the time. Dozens or even hundreds of professional baseball players took the same ans similar drugs. Is it cheating even if you don't break any rules? Perhaps it is, but with Baseball's rich history of liars and cheats to single out Bonds is farcical. "

Jarvis wrote on Jul 25, 2007 3:54 PM:

" Right on, Alan. Whoever thought of this question should refrain from showing his or her true colors and ask if the highly popular WWE and it's apparently steroid laden lackeys are providing heroes or if the alledged mistakes made by the NFL official in the news are a symptom of a huge gambling problem that America has at the present time. DO BETTER! "

Seth wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:08 PM:

" Have you ever seen a statue for a cynic or a hypocrite? No! A hero is someone people can look up to. Not someone whose attitude taints what they have become. "

wingmate wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:58 PM:

" Heros are people who perservere in the face of adversity. Heros are not those who succeed through advances in pharmacology and technology. "

kate wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:54 AM:

" Barry Bonds deserves every record he has. If you take away his then the slate must be wiped clean up to the date of testing. Who knows what all the other record holders were on when they played ball. Barry Bonds is one of the greats. As for hero, I truly do not find any athlete to be a hero. "

Innocent until proven guilty wrote on Jul 26, 2007 10:06 AM:

" No matter what the public thinks of Barry off the field, there has yet to be a drug test to come back possitive and he has been tested almost as many times as someone like Lance Armstrong who at one time was being tested once a week if not more often and he came back clean too, despite what people were trying to say. To me, I dont think of Barry as they greatest guy in the world, but his baseball skills are second to none. He's got lightning quick hands and did have speed on the basepaths as well. Now, his career is fading into the sunset but he still has a swing that put most to shame. he gets all my respect on the field and while I dont consider him a "hero" I do think of him as one of baseballs greats and there should be no asteric next to his name unless it is proven that he's been hopped up the entire time and I dont see that happening, so Barry, congrats on the upcoming record and thanks for all the good years of baseball !! "

Pratt wrote on Jul 26, 2007 11:46 AM:

" Heroes are to be admired. The last athlete I admired was Julius Erving (this shows I've been around a while. For those of you who don't know him, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA, circa 1980's. I admired him because he had/has tremendous integrity on the court and off.) I don't admire Barry Bonds - I just don't care for his personality, drugs or not. I don't deny he has some tremendous numbers/statistics. "

Norm Silver wrote on Jul 26, 2007 11:53 AM:

" bary Bonds i the foot steps of his father is an exceptioal baseball player. he has accomplished a lot in his carreer and is a credit to the tutiledge his father gave to him. While I am dismayed at what is alleged if it did happen it will soon come out. If it is discovered then he has disgraced his family and the sport he has excelled in. If not, we are all just spending useless time worried about what he did or din't do. Hopefully our opinions will have no effect on a unbiased decision by those who are tasked with doing this case. "

Brita wrote on Jul 26, 2007 12:43 PM:

" Hes a cheater!!! period. "

Hey Brita wrote on Jul 26, 2007 2:47 PM:

" How exactly is he a cheater ?? Nothing has been proven. Do you know things that the rest of us dont ?? If you're gonna go around saying he's a cheater you better make sure you have some facts to back up your statement otherwise that is called slander. "

Sally wrote on Jul 26, 2007 4:58 PM:

" When we, as a society, pay sports entertainers millions to play sports, and exault only the winners, what do we expect when they attempt to get a leg up on the competition. The fault is with our values as a society, not with players attempting to take advantage of a broken system. Enjoy the journey. Life is short and if he gives people pleasure in watching him play, let it be. "

Napa Coop wrote on Jul 26, 2007 5:19 PM:

" I really, really want to admire Barry Bonds. I can't. Hank Aaron is a hero from my generation. I know Hank Aaron. Barry Bonds is no Hank Aaron. "

Patrick wrote on Jul 26, 2007 10:09 PM:

" His accomplishments are based, partly on performance enhancing drugs. He's taken the easy way out and decided that chemically induced muscle and motor skills was easier than the extra work it might have taken to achieve the same thing. He cheated. He lied. He's self-centered and arrogant. How are these characteristics those of a hero?! Far from it. He's taken his team, the fans and baseball into hell as he struggles thru the remainder of this year and what's left of his now pathetic career. "

Simple Answer wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:12 AM:

" NO! "

A hero wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:12 AM:

" In his own mind "

Kevin wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:22 AM:

" He will be a hero when he breaks the Babe's record. Who knows what drugs the Babe was taking way back when! It's a silly argument. Soon (if not already) they will have gene therapy that will allow the body to produce it's own steroids. How will you regulate that? "

cwgully wrote on Jul 27, 2007 9:21 AM:

" we will see in 20 years of course he will be a hero they will even make movies about him when he dies (early in life due to performance enhancing drugs). In all pro sports if you are not cheating you are not going to when or be the best. he just got caught there will be many many more in all sports around the world welcome to real life (money) "

No wrote on Jul 27, 2007 9:29 AM:

" You have to be of good character to be a real hero. People who see him as a hero need to look elsewhere for the real heros. He's in it for the glory and the money. "

Hero Zero wrote on Jul 27, 2007 9:39 AM:

" He plays a game! and gets paid to play No sports person needs to be mentioned in the same phrase as a hero for playing a game. Tillman is a hero not for the sport but fighting for what he believed in. "

joe r wrote on Jul 27, 2007 9:44 AM:

" Of course he's not! To say he is a hero in any sense of the word simply serves a giant injustice to the word itself. Hero is best summed up in the following description....a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength.....ok, he is strong, so he has strength. Does not have the courage to admit what he did. Is not noble in any way. Fireman who rush into burning buildings are heroes. Police who daily protect us from those who would do us harm are heroes. Teachers who daily take the precious children we entrust to them, and depart knowledge onto them are heroes. Paramadics who breath life back into lifeless bodies are heroes. Anyone who considers Barry Bonds a hero should really reexamine what a hero is, and look at who deserves that moniker. I don't think anyone such as this selfish, brash, inconsiderate, jerk is a hero. He even said maybe he took something from another teammates locker when he tested positive for amphetamines. Then denied saying it. You can't undo statements like that. Just admit you're a steroid taking clod, and get on with life Barry. Just my opinion. And don't think that his trainer, Greg Anderson who is still doing time in prison for not giving Barry up does not have a 7 figure bank account offshore waiting his release. Shame on all of you who said he is. Shame, shame, shame. "

silly rabbits wrote on Jul 27, 2007 10:30 AM:

" hero..hmmm I dont know about that. Cheater, No. Didn't he "allegedly" take steroids when the were not illegal in the view of baseball. Has he been PROVEN guilty. I am not the biggest Bonds fan, but he is a person like you and I, has a family, has children that is a Father to. Why don't you all stop bashing and take more effort to improve your daily lives and families. By the way, aren't we still at War. Has anyone forgotten that. "

Ed Horton wrote on Jul 27, 2007 10:33 AM:

" Sad to say, but Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn may be the last real "baseball heroes". -- The whole steroid thing has ruined baseball for a lot of people, that is...if your a baseball purist. However, if you are a baseball purist then you may have to take The Babe out of the hall of fame(drunkard/philanderer), along with Enos Slaughter (racist), Mickey Mantle (drunkard /philanderer), Roger Maris (stand-offish with the press and it took more games to break the single season HR record), Nolan Ryan (spit balls and scuffing the ball), ... and the list goes on. If you have ever tried to hit a 95 mph baseball (with or without steroids), then you may have a greater appreciation of what Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire have done. We, (the fans) pay big bucks to see the HR's and we call the players bums if they don't deliver, when they do deliver the press finds ways to butcher them and we, (the fans) crucify them, (the players). Leave Barry alone! "

not a hero, but wrote on Jul 27, 2007 1:02 PM:

" not a hero but a baseball great no doubt. hero's are what kids look up to. I would not want my kids ever doing steroids or think that its ok as long as it improves your game. Bonds did break some records and will always be remembered as a great baseball player "

danthemanmay wrote on Jul 27, 2007 1:06 PM:

" Well, I wouldn't call any sports figure a hero. I would say that Barry Bonds in one damn good baseball player. His stats will hold up even through the controversy. His records, 500+ SB, 750 HR, 4th in hits, on and on, are phenomenal no matter if he took some rubbing compounds to ease pain and swelling...the clear, ie. That is topical, and does not effect the endocrine system any more than the cortisone shots linebackers take right on the field. Barry Bonds is STILL hitting them out the park, STILL stealing bases, STILL getting those RBI's and the crowds STILL love to see him play. Just a week ago or so, in NY, they were booing him until he hit one, no TWO HR's in their ballpark. THEN they were cheering him on. People, fans are fickle but one thing is true, we love the game and we love the long ball and we love to hate Barry Bonds...except SF fans and REAL fans who know the colored history, the checkered past of the nations' passtime...once upon a time, balls which bounced infield and then out of the park were considered HR's (Ruth) and batters faced pitchers on 4 day rotations...pitchers who pitched ENTIRE games...which means they were tired and worn out and not as great an opponent as are pitchers today, who may throw 80 pitches, may play 7 innings and then middle relief and closers come in to finish it up. Batters have to face this compared to tired, wornout pitchers of yore..who is the greatest hitter, now? BARRY BONDS "

baseball didnt begin until 1947 wrote on Jul 28, 2007 7:14 AM:

" Barry Bonds is the best baseball player that ever lived. He's made 444 different pitchers famous. He's put people's kids thru college by sending them baseballs. He's withstood a Federal investigation, a spiteful sports media, and an army of puritanical fans. Bonds has never been charged or failed any tests so any allegations from 4-5 years ago are still just allegations today. Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, & Cap Anson are cheaters. They never faced a black or latin player and padded their stats in a bogus league. "

Len wrote on Jul 28, 2007 3:02 PM:

" I am an avid baseball fan and to me it taints the baseball history to allow Bonds the home runs he had while on "steroid creams" He is not a stupid man, so he will not admit so that he can get to the record. I used to respect him as a player until all this came to light. "

Suze wrote on Jul 28, 2007 4:06 PM:

" A lotta comments on this one! I feel Bonds is a great athlete regardless of what he has done to boost that gift. A hero? No. It is sad that 'clean' athletes are becoming somewhat rare. The overly personal scrutiny of the media, the demands and expectations of sponsors are huge pressures the 'Babe' never had to deal with. It's sad that fame often corrupts with its intense demands. My heroes are more humble, showing true honesty and courage under poverty stricken or extremely difficult circumstances. The military, cops and firefighters are just doing the jobs they signed up and were trained for, MANY jobs are dangerous, we just like to romanticize certain professions and the like into heroes. "

Frank wrote on Jul 29, 2007 7:15 AM:

" How in the world could anyone call Bonds or any other baseball player a hero! The mans attitude over the years has made it very difficult to ever cheer for him! "

Shirley wrote on Jul 29, 2007 9:25 AM:

" He's a baseball player and thats all, a HERO IS NOT. Now the Men and Women thats fighting for our country are the HERO'S, Bond could never walk in their shoes. The sports players are for money and nothing else, and I think that are all over paid.......... "

chris wrote on Jul 29, 2007 3:22 PM:

" Better living through chemistry. "

Natalie wrote on Jul 30, 2007 7:54 AM:

" Go Barry! Why can't I vote? Is this poll closed? Then I'll just type YES! "

cliff wrote on Jul 30, 2007 11:22 AM:

" you all tend to forget aside from bonds having a big bat he is also a multiple golden gloves winner and has had excellent fielding. he deserves the record and if u dont think he does just think A-rod will be breaking it within the next 10 years so its not like it stuck for that long. "

Maggie wrote on Jul 30, 2007 11:41 AM:

" Sadly,I must say that Bonds is not a baseball hero. Let's see, other baseball heros: Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken. How about those two guys. Clean living, humble, worked extremely hard to develop their baseball craft, still influencing young people every day with their efforts. Heros? Yes. "

Dirty Napkin wrote on Jul 30, 2007 12:00 PM:

" Lets not forget the roids. "

baseball fan wrote on Jul 30, 2007 12:52 PM:

" A BIG NO. Let's not forget that Hank Aaron accomplished greatness steroid free. I would cut Bonds some slack if he acted like a man and just came out and admitted using steroids. Instead, he is arrogant, rude, and just a plain liar. What kind of hero is that I ask? "

andrea wrote on Jul 30, 2007 1:57 PM:

" NO WAY!!! HE IS A STEROID MONSTER!!!!! "

Marsha wrote on Jul 30, 2007 5:22 PM:

" He works real hard at what he does best as have others in the past. Eye and hand co-ordination cannot be bought or contrived. Other so called "Heroes" have been drunkards, nasty, illiterate, foulmouth and more. Hero he may not be but a great ball player he has been and still is. "

marknnapa wrote on Jul 31, 2007 5:57 PM:

" I have taken steroids as he has. I was a baseball player long before he was. To look at me today... I suffer from congestive heart failure... renal failure... and much more. The most embarassing is the man boobs that derive from the drugs. I have a college son that is a picher for a major college. They want him to start the cycles. Great for the career...Ruins life! "

Jane wrote on Aug 1, 2007 5:39 PM:

" BARY BOND STINKS!!!! HE CHEATS BY USING DRUGS,SOHE CAN BEAT HANK AARON RECORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO HANK AARON!!!!!!!!!! "

mominapa wrote on Aug 2, 2007 10:12 AM:

" Give me the right combination of drugs, steroids, etc. and I could hit 755 homers too. Do I get records and awards and the kind of money they pay him? No, not a hero, just another manufactured athlete. Someday we will be watching androids play the games. Maybe we are now. "

Ann Onimiss wrote on Aug 13, 2007 8:11 AM:

" um... NO! I would say more, but there is no need. But hey, look on the bright side...it took our minds away from the war in Iraq for a week or two... "

Rod wrote on Aug 16, 2007 4:23 PM:

" If you read the history of baseball, personalities of the greatest players were less than exemplarary. So, how a person comes across has to be separated from athletic achievement, or we will have to eliminate Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, John McGraw, etc. The Baltimore Orioles on the 1890s was the dirtiest team with McGraw ordering his team to trip baserunners, catchers spiking the umpire in the feet and shoving the mitts in umps faces to prevent him seeing the play. Scuffing balls were so common in 1913, allowing balls to dive like falcons, that the AL run average dipped from 4.6 to 3.7 in one year. Rules had to be set to prevent all these. But where were the officials in setting steroids rules for MLB? Did the long ball craze make too much money for owners and impede privacy for union members to care about player's health? Or did Pres. Bush's State of Union finally push them? George W., the savior of baseball? "

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