Bonds Tests Positive For Amphetamine
I originally was going to post this as a mere sidenote, but I think going at some length over this is better. *Barry Bonds*, that slugger that we all love to hate for his presumed steroid/amphetamine using ways and his non-stop contention that the steroids investigation has been merely a witch-hunt for him, has finally been busted by "Major League Baseball":http://www.mlb.com. Both *ESPN* and the *NY Daily News* are reporting that Bonds has "failed a 2006 amphetamine drug test":http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2727325Major League Baseball is not looking forward to Bonds possibly breaking the record, and multiple inside sources that I've read have stated that the quiet hope among commissioner *Bud Selig* & Co. is that Bonds quietly retires and takes the steroids stench with him as the game cleans itself up. Asterisk or not, Bonds passing Aaron this season (he needs only 25 to do so) is not something that Selig wants to deal with; and if he does, Selig can only hope *Albert Pujols* or *Alex Rodriguez* are able to surpass Bonds within the next decade (A-Rod is 22 shy of 500 home runs at 32 and Pujols has 250 home runs at 26). # If the recent Hall of Fame voting shows anything, this will be a lifetime lock-out from the hall for Bonds. McGwire never tested positive for steroids, yet a late-career offensive spike coupled with an embarrassing Congressional hearing in March 2005 and a stone-cold, media silence since then has caused Big Mac to be presumed guilty until found innocent. And if MLB couldn't do anything about it, then the Baseball Writers Association of America are sure as hell going to do it. Do I think McGwire could get in? Probably, but Bonds chances disappeared forever when his second test can back positive. It's amazing to think that Bonds would have been a Hall of Famer. He had won three MVPs and was on track to achieve HOF career numbers in every major statistical category; yet he threw it all away because of greed and pride. Instead of being content, he wanted more; and the consequences of those decisions are going to follow him to his grave. *UPDATE:* As the one commenter mentioned, this first fail _does not_ result in a suspension. A _second_ positive result will result in a 25 games suspension. Sorry for that mix-up.
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 7:43am. It has been filed under News, Sports, Thoughts, Joshua.
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Finally! 26 loving people have cared enough to share their thoughts with me. Why don't you join the party?
Well, he didn’t really throw a career away, in my opinion. The steroid use made his career in the later years. He has 200 home runs, 500 RBIs, and 2 MVP awards in question. You take those away and he’s Jose Canseco.
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Aaron wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 12:10pm.
I want FrankThomas in Cooperstown before Barry Bonds.
But that’s not a slam at Thomas, I really want him in.
Aaron wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 12:12pm.
You’re assuming that Arod and Pujols aren’t on the juice too. I find it difficult to believe anyone in baseball anymore. From big guys like Ryan Howard to the smaller ones like Nomar Garciaparra.
George wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 1:12pm.
Is there any reason to presume that A-Rod or Pujols are on the juice? Assuming everyone is just so you “catch everyone” seems pretty shoddy to me. I don’t assume all persons living in the country are rednecks, even though you might find a large contingent there. Point is where we reports vary within the “steroids era” of who was using, not everyone was using; and any success (esp. by younger players like A-Rod or Pujols) shouldn’t be assumed as juicing. Maybe I’ll talk further on this when I have a moment.
Joshua Hynes wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 3:18pm.
If Bonds’ numbers had taken a more typical trajectory in this decade he still would have piled up sufficient numbers to be a solid Hall of Fame pick. Folks wouldn’t have spoken of him in the same breath as Babe Ruth, but he would have fit in.
One quibble about the Mcgwire comments. Presumption of innocence is all well and good, but the sum total of the evidence available to me leads me to believe that he took steroids or HGH. It certainly hasn’t been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but that’s not the standard in play here. We’re not talking about a criminal trial. Civil cases use a preponderance of the evidence standard. A fan or a Hall of Fame voter is entitled to use whatever standard he thinks is appropriate.
Keith wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 3:21pm.
Keith - Agreed. I was merely commenting on the style in which McGwire has been judged. The writers have been judge and jury here and presumed Mark guilty until he provides evidence otherwise. I’m not entirely sure if McGwire deserves to be in the hall either way, but if McGwire is held out for having an air of steroids about him; how in the world could the writers vote someone like Bonds in knowing he has tested positive? The guy would have been in the HOF, but I just don’t see it happening now.
Joshua Hynes wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 3:24pm.
Gasp! A baseball player took speed??? When did things get so out of hand? What’s happened to our pure game? Next thing I suppose is someone will say Babe Ruth never took steroids but he would have had they been available.
Blasphemy!
Pat wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 3:48pm.
To the one whom wrote the story, get your facts straight, you said, “ will serve a 25 game suspension at the start of the season .” 25 games is for a second offense!!! Bonds, Sosa, and McGwire have all been thrown under the bus by baseball, media and the fans. If it wasn’t for these guys that we are so critical of now, this game would have fell off. I love how nieve all of you are about who took what and whatever. So for the sins of MLB lets crucify these 3, especially Bonds, so we can all justify this and feel good about ourselves.
Jguill wrote on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 5:42pm.
I think that people are over looking the fact that McGwire put up big homerun numbers throughout his career, unless he was injured. Bonds went from 20-30 a year to 73.
Tony wrote on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 9:46am.
_Currently the man who holds the record “Hammerin” Hank Aaron*, is the antithesis of class_
are you sure “antithesis” is the word you want ?
cleek wrote on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 11:23am.
No, Bonds did not go from 20-30 to 73. In fact, he hit fewer than 30 only during his first 4 seasons and one other season after that. Other than those years, for the other 10 seasons before hitting 73, he averaged 39 HRs per year.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=1785
Although that brings another thing up. after he hit the 73 HRS, he followed up with three seasons of 46, 45 and 45 HRS, respectively. His frequency of HR/AB wasn’t much lower than the year he hit 73. He also won MVPs those three years.
The two years he hit 45 were AFTER MLB started testing for steroids. Bonds was tested several time, in season and off-season, as were all players. He came up clean.
Are you saying he was juiced then...or only the years he hit 73 and 46...before testing was mandated?
Assuming he wasn’t juiced after testing began, please explain how he hit so many HRs in so few official at bats.
You can’t have it both ways on this. I assume he did take steroids. I don’t know when it started but I also assume it ended the year testing began.
The man walked 232 times in 2004 (while being tested) and hit 45 HRS in 373 at bats. One every 8.3 ABs.
Pat wrote on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 12:10pm.
Thrown under the bus? Breaking the rules is breaking the rules. Getting punished for that is far from being thrown under the bus.
Aaron wrote on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 12:33pm.
Aaron used Greenies himself…
fabio wrote on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 9:52pm.
If one takes out the questionable years of Mark McGwire, what do you have?
He hit 49 HRs in his rookie year and then a couple of years later they sat him out the last couple of games so his batting average would not drop below .200. He was never a good first baseman. Leaving out his tainted years in STL he never be considered a HOF.
George wrote on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 6:30am.
It is obvious to me that Bonds is a man with a chip on his shoulder. He cares for no one but himself… That is not a basis to keep him out of the HOF, his drug enhanced performance is. I disagrre with the fan who decided tomake a case for Bonds when he commented that Bonds was a grreat home run hitter before he hit 73… he was not. He was not even on the radar of great homerun hitters. I believe that Bonds would do anything to “enhance” his achievements. What about all of the body “armor” he wears? When is MLB going to ban that? Nobody else wears “armor”.. At least not as much as Bonds wears. The old saying that the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree is also true here. Bobby Bonds was not well liked either, and yet, I feel more for Booby than I would ever feel for Barry. Bobby was a much better player than Barry, in my opinion. As far as Henry Aaron’s home run records, he hit those home runs without the help of enhancing drugs, and he hit them in an era when it was mucvh harder to hit hom runs… an era when there were great pitchers in the game… and in a far superior National League… These days the NL is just a step above AAA… I have always contended that if Barry Bonds was in the AL, he would never have hit so many home runs. It behooved him to stay in the weak NL. AL players at the end of their careers sign with NL teams and do well… witness Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, etc.. It was the other way around in the days of Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, et al… I take my hat off to those baseball players, true men, not whimpering cry-baby-cheaters such as Barry Bonds. Sammy Sosa was a journeyman player… He did not show any promise with Texas or the Chisox and then busts out with three straight seasons of 60 or more home runs!!! It boggles the mind!!! We need another Kenesaw Mountain Landis. A man not afraid to put down the law and do what is right…
Elliott wrote on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 10:31am.
Barry is the root of all evil.He is the cause of Global Warming.He was to blame for 9/11.It was probably his idea to kill Christ.Or maybe,just maybe he’s just some guy who screwed up.I get it,you all hate him.Can I go now?
Jason wrote on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 12:51am.
Dear Jason, yes, please leave… I for one do not think that we are blowing things out of proportion as much as you are… Barry Bonds is the root of his OWN evil… He screwed up, and has continued to do so. He is a Prima Donna who feels that everyone must genuflect before him.. You, Jason, are probably living in San Francisco… The only place where Bonds will receive accolades when he breaks Aaron’s HR record… No place else will… Bonds does not deserve fan adoration. Period!!
Elliott wrote on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 11:30am.
Elliot you have no idea what you are talking about. i’ll let you throw out the 73 homerun season , then read Pat’s post again. Bonds would still have 4,5 mvps most walks ever and 9 gold gloves. With numbers like those, Prima Donna , Hell Yeah!!! whose better??? please tell me. Then look at Sean Merriman in Football and the hole NFL, Cycling with the issues ; Lance Armstrong- go and read the new espn column about that now!
JGuill wrote on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 5:45pm.
to finish what i was saying earlier
JGuill wrote on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 6:01pm.
to finish what i was saying earlier , if he doesn’t deserve fan adoration in today’s sports world, who does? Can you tell me with no doubt who is and who isnt taking this and that? Dont be ignorant about this. What sports athlete that has the records at his feet arent under performance enhancing drug allegations? Do you realize that Brett Favre was addicted to pain killers---very strong , not over the counter pain killers, if those drugs were not available to him , would he have the most consecutive starts in a row as a quarterback. When barry’s name is brought up, the press and all the haters do throw him under the bus!!!!!! case close!!! Dont be nieve!
JGuill wrote on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 6:01pm.
Hey Pat - I’ve never posted to this blog before, but I have to say, of all the other Pat’s in the world, I think you’re the stupidest one, by far. You are a stupid piece of crap. I’d like to kick you in your tiny balls.
Pat2 wrote on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 11:43pm.
Why thank you, Pat2! I feel honored to be the one who has sent you off the deep end. Having not met all the Pats in the world, I doubt I am the stupidest one by far, but you never know, although it kind of creeps me out that you’ve been stalking all those other Pats.
Elliot, yes, Bonds is a prima donna and not very nice to reporters.
Isn’t it silly to say San Francisco is the only place he would receive accolades? Why, I’m willing to bet if he played on another team, the accolades would move with him to a new city and the accolades he receives in San Francisco would drop. That’s just how it is, Elliot. It’s not a Bay Area phenomenon. Why, Sean Merriman receives more accolades in San Diego than he does in Boston. Although, if he joined the Patriots, that would probably change. But enough about the NFL. Football fans (including me) just don’t seem to get too worked up about players testing positive.
Maybe it’s because no actual NFL “prima donna” has been busted yet.
And isn’t that kind of the bottom line, Elliot? Isn’t this really about prima donnas, not amphetamines or steroids?
Pat wrote on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 12:08pm.
Dear JGuill… To begin with, I don’t care about the NFL or the NBA. The players in those leagues are (for the most part) wife-beating thugs (witness Iverson) and rapists (Kobe Bryant, anyone?)… I don’t follow those leagues anyway..
And PAT, You are absolutely correct!!! If Bonds were to change teams, cities, or leagues, he would most probably be put up on a pedestal… Just goes to show you the state of affairs we are in these days…
On the other hand, has anyone noticed how much inferior the NL is compared to the AL? Sure, the Cardinals won the WS, but, those aberrations can happen.. The Tigers let us down… Getting back to Bonds, all of those MVP awards in the NL and all of those home runs hit in the NL… I don’t take them seriously, they were hit by Bonds in an inferior league.. and the MVP? Who else in the NL could win? Where is Bonds competition? He is 42 years old and will possibly win the MVP once again… That is unless Bryan Howard and the overated Pujols win it instead… I would love to see what Mr. Pujols could do in a stronger league…
By the way, It seems (according to Peter Gammons) that the NL West has all the pitching in the NL… I wonder how well Mr Bonds will do now?
I am also against interleague play… it takes away from the “normal” season… But, i do love the DH… Strange, Is it not, that the NL is the only league in the entire world of baseball (domestic and international ) which does not use the DH??? The rest of the world must be wrong… and the NL must be right.... I think that if the NL adopted the NL, they could become better… of course, they would also need ptiching… Pitchers who could handle the pressure… Barry Zito is going to be a big winner this year… He will make out like a bandit coming from a superiro league (in which he was successful) to a league one step above “AAA"…
Elliott wrote on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 10:02am.
Dear JGuill… The word is spelled N-A-I-V-E… not “nieve"… Nieve happens to be the word used for “snow” in Spanish…
Elliott wrote on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 1:03pm.
Elliot, I wouldn’t take the current superiority of the AL too seriously. Yes, it’s a fact. But you need to remember that the NL was vastly superior to the AL for a couple of decades. If you honestly don’t think Bonds could thrive in the AL, I’d suggest you check out his interleague play stats. Also, consider this: A superior league by no means suggests that everyone in the superior league, or even the majority of players, are superior.
Asking whether Bonds could survive in the NL is silly. Of course he could. Might as well ask if Mantle could have done just as well in the NL during the 60s. Or Al Kaline. Or Whitey Ford. Or so many others. Of course they could have. The differences are small...just enough to win certain World Series more often, or All-star games...which the NL once won something like 18 out of 19 years.
Good pitching has never really stopped Bonds and he hit against some great ones over the years, pitcher that have done very well in both leagues.
A league may be superior in that it has more star player, which I believe is the case right now in the AL. But a great player is a great player. Mantle was great. Bonds is great. Both would still have been just as great in ANY league.
Pat wrote on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 7:56pm.
Pat, it is always good to hear from someone who uses his head… I may have gotten a bit carried away with the Bonds thing. However, since the AL is the stronger league, at this time of his career Bonds would not prosper in the AL. But, that’s a moot point. Only the Giants would have signed him anyway. They just cannot part with their big draw. Maybe we are all blowing everything out or proportion concerning these performance enhancing drugs, who knows? I do recall that Mantle and the rest of the pros you mentioned did not take them (enhancers), they did, however, drink a lot… So, I guess that most of them did not play up to their full potential… On the other hand, they also had to work during the off-season… I guess that what I’m trying to say is that there is always something to discuss… I wonder how far enhancers will go? Or, will there only be robotic beings playing in a hundred years or so? And what would be THEIR enhancing drugs, a better form of lubricating oil? While we are on the subject of robots, do you think that it is fair for Bonds to wear so much armor? Yeah, I know, I dislike Bonds so much I just cannot stay away from criticizing him… So sue me!!!
Elliott wrote on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 7:56am.