Not that I have delusions that Barry Bonds would read my little ole' blog, but I've been pondering what could come of the Career Home Runs record currently held by Hank Aaron (755) - and threatened to topple, probably next year, by Bonds.
Popular (and my) opinion are that Bonds is a liar and a cheater for taking steroids while playing baseball. Any other conclusion is ridiculous. Supporting Bonds (as his home town blindly does) is, in my opinion just short of condoning what he's done.
Bonds has had opportunities to take whatever higher roads were available to him, be an upstanding citizen, a man of integrity - admit what mistake he's made and apologize to the fans. Stopping his play of the game wouldn't have been as necessary as many call for now. He would have been a guy that screwed up, but owned up to it. He could have salvaged a LITTLE of his respect. We all know how Barry choose to act instead.
However, I see one last way Barry could show a little respect for the game and the fans he has so far shown only disrespect to.
It would be a noteworthy mark for Barry if he'd hit 754 home runs and immediately declare his retirement. Don't tie Hank. Certainly don't beat him. Respect him by acknowledging that Hank did it with style and without the enhancements you took - stop at 754 and acknowledge that Baseball and its fans deserve truly superior (yet not enhanced) sports heroes to hold its most sacred record.
Will it happen? Not likely. But I sure wish it would - for Barry's sake, his legacy, his family, Baseball, and the fans. Unfortunately, Barry is probably more likely to relegate himself to a DH role for the next number of years it takes until he owns the title. But it'll only be owned in his mind. Fans won't accept it as much as look for the next person who might be able to legitimize it.
Later.