Did he or didn't he?

[mbrown811]

An excerpt of the book Game of Shadows, written by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams of the San Francisco Chronicle, is the hot topic in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated. According to the SI article, the authors used more than 200 sources including information from court documents, affidavits filed by BALCO investigators, confidential memoranda of federal agents, grand jury testimony and audiotapes. That's quite a stockpile of information for them to simply point fingers and say he did it.

Keith Olbermann suggests Bonds should sue for libel if the information in the book is false. It could take years in the courts and a libel case is difficult to prove, but don't you think Bonds would want to protect his name and his records? It's an interesting point but as of right now Bonds isn't saying or doing much.

The question is, what kind of impact will this have? Bonds is only seven home runs short of passing Babe Ruth for second on the all time home run list and 48 from passing Hank Aaron. What steps, if any, will Major League Baseball take to validate the information in the book? Unless Bonds comes out and admits it, there will always be speculation. Game of Shadows was scheduled for release March 27th, but is being moved up to a March 23rd release.

[Zifnab]

If they had a comish with balls he would be suspended until they had evidence he was clean NOW, yes he did take steroids, does it matter? it should but how can you tell when it started? It is too hard to regulate.

[kissiemybuttie]

Well i am not sure if Bonds is guilty or not....but if he is...he should be banned from the hall of fame just like Pete Rose was...realize for different reasons...
but seriously how many of the players did not take steroids??????

[Wet Beaver]

did't they just outlaw them last year? but kissie is right who hasn't taken them??

[mbrown811]

Well that's the problem. MLB has been slow to do anything about the problem plaguing the sport. The problem also lies in your statement, who hasn't taken them??

No one will be surprised if it’s proven that Bonds took steroids. But either way it's the general attitude of the public that will hurt baseball the most. Anytime a player has any kind of record year, he will automatically be put under the microscope and people will begin to speculate whether he's on steroids. There are a lot of self righteous sports writers ready to burn Bonds at the stake. I'm not saying that he shouldn't be punished if it is proven he took steroids, but where does it end? Once Bonds is out of the picture, who will be the next victim of the witch hunt? MLB needs to institute a rock solid testing system in order to save the cynical public.

[Wet Beaver]

imo baseball has sucked since the strike...the prices are to high..the players are to cocky..and the games have sucked..before the strike i use to go thegames a lot...now it is only once or twice a season.....and now the dopeing isn't going to baseball wel at all..

[Trev]

YES, he took them. He admitted to using the clear, then saying he didn't know that is was steriods. What more do they need.

[mbrown811]

How has baseball sucked since the strike? How have the games sucked? You can say doping but we have no idea how long that has been going on. I've seen and been to many great games over the last few years. There's cocky people everywhere you go, not just in sports. Yes the prices suck and with gas prices and a new stadium in St. Louis I doubt I'll make it to many games this year, but every Cardinal game is on tv. I haven't lost my faith in baseball yet and I will continue to support MLB.

[Wet Beaver]

the level of play isn't the same..most teams have player who should be in the minors...the freeangency rules you really don't haveplayers who stay with the teams....baseball isn't what it was before the strike.....just think of the angels...they have a new name...just for money.....some o thngs have been around for a while..ut it seems like it has gotten worst since the strike

[bonzzz4292]

well i am not sure but i know that the Braves have not wanted to get the world series. i consider them as the 9th inning wonders. but lately they just don't have very much. i don't watch or go to any games just read the highlights.at least now that is what i do. i used to like watching the Braves play but it is just boring.






the level of play isn't the same..most teams have player who should be in the minors...the freeangency rules you really don't haveplayers who stay with the teams....baseball isn't what it was before the strike.....just think of the angels...they have a new name...just for money.....some o thngs have been around for a while..ut it seems like it has gotten worst since the strike

[bonzzz4292]

as far as steriods who cares anymore. the ones that use them die earlier than those that don't. i don't care if they do or don't just get it back to the way it was...exciting. same with football.

[Barkiss]

I just read the Sports Illustrated article on this book. Very interesting and substantial evidence they have....

[Trev]

I would be willing to bet that 75% or more have taken steroids. If you had the chance to sign a contract worth millions for a couple of years, wouldn't you? This should leave you set for life.

[mbrown811]

I would be willing to bet that 75% or more have taken steroids. If you had the chance to sign a contract worth millions for a couple of years, wouldn't you? This should leave you set for life.

Quite honestly, that's absurd. There's no evidence to support such a claim for any sport.

[Barkiss]

Quite honestly, that's absurd. There's no evidence to support such a claim for any sport.

I have to agree with you; however it does bring up an interesting question. If given the opportunity to gain access to any of the major sports by taking steroids, would you?

Personally I played basketball throughout high school, with aspirations to play in college. I remember discussions and jokes of people taking steroids, however I was never aware of any fellow athletes partaking in them. And to this day, I would love to say I wouldn't have taken them if presented to me; however, knowing me back then, I question whether or not I would have had the will power to turn them down.

[Trev]

Quite honestly, that's absurd. There's no evidence to support such a claim for any sport.

didn't say there was evidence, just said I would bet that it was that high. In high school they were always pushing vitamins and other things for us to use to help performance. Some players used them some of us didn't.

[surfnchat]

There's little doubt in my mind that Bonds took steroids. I have his rookie card and you'll see a skinny kid on it. You can see the difference in his bulk. No normal person could add that much muscle mass in just a few years. It's all about winning. The team organizations looked the other way when all the players started getting juiced. No juice = no championship. Everyone in MLB is to blame.

[Annie]

imo baseball has sucked since the strike...the prices are to high..the players are to cocky..and the games have sucked..before the strike i use to go thegames a lot...now it is only once or twice a season.....and now the dopeing isn't going to baseball wel at all..

Don't get me wrong here, I do love the White Sox and have since way before last season! However for the reasons above, the games I like to go to the most are minor league. We have the Schaumburg Flyers here, and I have to tell you they are the best! The players always available for autographs, they love the kids and the fans, the field is beautiful and the prices are reasonable not only for tickets, but for really good food too! They also have a few activities for the kids, like a pitching machine and radar to check the speed... the kids love it there! I can't justify going to a major league game any more, unless it's something special. Other than that, we have a big screen TV... we don't need to go see the White Sox.

[Shiane]

All I can say about the whole steroid situation is how sad. Who's to blame? It's like everything else in our society we want bigger and better. You take a look at body building, the guys in the 70's who were all natural their bodies were impressive but at some point they had to decide if they wanted to continue to compete they had to take steroids just to have a chance. What makes baseball or football any different today? Years ago the linebackers were huge, couldn't run that fast, shit now look at them huge, bulked up and can fly. Are athletes evolving with all of our science and body training? Naw I don't think so, it's all body enhancing drugs. Like breaking Babe's record, one of the most amazing athletes in our history. Few could ever come close, ahhhh but with the help of steroids..... that dream doesn't seem so unobtainable. I'm not saying they all do it, but a lot of them do.

It makes me furious. The whole philosophy starts with our kids. Tell me none of you have ever been T-Ball game and heard a lot of parents screaming and yelling at their kids. Pushing them and pushing them to be the best why. Ahh that American dream of you can do anything if you try hard enough, if your good enough you too can go Pro. Whats not to like about that idea hell, 21 million over 4 yrs. Theres a difference between pushing your kids to be their best and being obsessive about it.

I don't blame the athletes, I blame our bigger is best philosophy.

[Zifnab]

All I can say about the whole steroid situation is how sad. Who's to blame? It's like everything else in our society we want bigger and better. You take a look at body building, the guys in the 70's who were all natural their bodies were impressive but at some point they had to decide if they wanted to continue to compete they had to take steroids just to have a chance. What makes baseball or football any different today? Years ago the linebackers were huge, couldn't run that fast, shit now look at them huge, bulked up and can fly. Are athletes evolving with all of our science and body training? Naw I don't think so, it's all body enhancing drugs. Like breaking Babe's record, one of the most amazing athletes in our history. Few could ever come close, ahhhh but with the help of steroids..... that dream doesn't seem so unobtainable. I'm not saying they all do it, but a lot of them do.

It makes me furious. The whole philosophy starts with our kids. Tell me none of you have ever been T-Ball game and heard a lot of parents screaming and yelling at their kids. Pushing them and pushing them to be the best why. Ahh that American dream of you can do anything if you try hard enough, if your good enough you too can go Pro. Whats not to like about that idea hell, 21 million over 4 yrs. Theres a difference between pushing your kids to be their best and being obsessive about it.

I don't blame the athletes, I blame our bigger is best philosophy.I agree with your assesssment of blame. I would also like to add in that the hitters feel they NEED the added edge because the pitchers are enhanced as well....leading to the vicious never ending circle of passing the buck. makes me sick!

[Annie]

It makes me furious. The whole philosophy starts with our kids. Tell me none of you have ever been T-Ball game and heard a lot of parents screaming and yelling at their kids. Pushing them and pushing them to be the best why. Ahh that American dream of you can do anything if you try hard enough, if your good enough you too can go Pro. Whats not to like about that idea hell, 21 million over 4 yrs. Theres a difference between pushing your kids to be their best and being obsessive about it.

Shiane, I think this is getting better. Where I live the Park District is pretty good, and during the baseball games everyone cheers for each other. Even during the tight games the parents and the players cheer for BOTH sides when a player does well! During the time my son was on the team I was impressed with how well behaved everyone was. I don't think it's handled quite as well in another park district near us, we had some people from the next town over who were giving wrong addresses just to get on the team. I do think it's improving.

[belfast]

What does it matter if he took them or not.The damge has been done to both him and his sport..professional sports is a business like it or not.
The base ball orginization looked the other way as there were records being broken and that put butts in the seats.
Sports media.. had some thing to sell..now they have th steriod thing to sell.
The athlete has money dangled in fornt of him so why would they not take the chance.
But the real people who are guilty are the fans becuse they still put their butts in the seats.
Why dont the fans protest the best way and that is do not attend..dont support the sponsers.

[sweetgapeach]

Shiane, I think this is getting better. Where I live the Park District is pretty good, and during the baseball games everyone cheers for each other. Even during the tight games the parents and the players cheer for BOTH sides when a player does well! During the time my son was on the team I was impressed with how well behaved everyone was. I don't think it's handled quite as well in another park district near us, we had some people from the next town over who were giving wrong addresses just to get on the team. I do think it's improving.


I think it is getting better too , my kids are in Sports , my whole thinking is for it to be fun, not who wins or loses . I have been to games with my older son , when he was in football , that you thought was everything to the Fathers there, it made me mad and ashamed . I pulled him out for awhile , but now I see we cheer for both teams and Sports to me for the kids are for them to simply have fun , and stay kids for awhile. Lord knows they grow up quick enough .