I graduated from the same high school as Barry (1983), and played with Barry and his little brother Ricky — as well as Tito Fuentes’ kids — when I was young at nearby parks and in Little League in Foster City, CA. But I am not bias on the subject of Barry or Steroids.
It should be pointed out that Barry has never tested positive for banned substances. EVER. The allegations are just that: allegations. I am sure that Barry has undergone more random drug testing by the League than any other player in history. So why has there been no proof?
Will Barry admit to cheating? Pipe dream. Do you remember Pete Rose? Even when Pete admitted to gambling years later to try to get in the Hall of Fame, baseball and sports writers shunned him. Barry’s personality is worse than Pete’s! Barry has allowed his friend to rot in jail, while he continues to play ball, spit sunflower seeds and spit on baseball. For whatever reason, Major League Baseball thinks they need Barry, as bad as the steroids situation is right now in the League. On the other hand, once Barry has broken the record and is no longer playing baseball, his life will be very sad indeed.
People think or speak of Willie Mays or Willie McCovey with fond memories of them, and they have become icons for the SF Giants franchise. Barry Bonds will be honored in SF at AT&T park, most likely with the usual retiring of jersey, unveiling of a statue and celebration of his achievements, along with a retirement event. But Barry will not be fondly remembered by Giants fans. He has left a stain on the franchise and on Major League Baseball. But I believe the SF Giants management will do all of this swiftly, and wash their hands of him after that.
One thing nobody can take away from Barry Bonds is that he probably is the most talented player to ever play the game. He is one of the best left fielders (8 gold glove awards), 7-time MVP of the League, 73 home runs in one season (record: 2001), 745 homers to date, with on base and slugging percentages off the charts. Steroids do not help him swing the bat or play defense. The steroids assisted with recovery over a period of a few years prior to his 73 home run season. For his abilities he will get in the Hall of Fame, but not first ballot.
In 2020, Barry Bonds will probably show up on a Where Are They Now segment, and his life after baseball will be one of solitude and loneliness.
Update: Bonds has surpassed Henry Aaron, and will now begin to add on to the record. How many will Barry end up with before he retires? My guess is he will want to get to 3,000 hits before he retires. So he could reach 775-785 before it is all said and done.
