Barry Bonds Deserves to Be in the Hall of Fame
The numbers are staggering. Before allegations of steroid use began to surface, Barry Bonds had incredible seasons. In 1987, his second year in Major League Baseball, Barry Bonds hit 25 home runs. In his third year, he hit 24 home runs. In his fifth year, 1990, Barry Bonds hit 33 home runs, batted in 114 runs, and had a .304 average. In 1991, Barry Bonds hit 25 home runs with 116 runs batted in.
By his last year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, in 1992, after 7 seasons in the majors, Barry Bonds had amassed 176 home runs, 556 runs batted in, and 984 hits. He won five straight golden glove awards from 1990 through 1994. He has won seven National League MVP awards. Two of those MVP awards he won while with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Now, let's take a look at the steroid issue. I do not believe that there is any question whether or not Barry Bonds used steroids. Although Barry Bonds has never admitted to knowingly taking steroids, there appears to be enough evidence to assume that Barry Bonds used steroids. However,the main question is when Barry Bonds used steroids for the simple fact that steroid use did not constitute breaking Major League Baseball rules until after 2002. By the end of the 2002 season, Barry Bonds had accumulated 613 home runs.
We are a nation who prides itself on fairness. In this case, fairness assumes that Barry Bonds belongs in the Hall of Fame unless proved that the stats he has accumulated were done by breaking a Major League Baseball rule. Even if Barry Bonds used steroids before the year 2002, and those steroids benefited Barry Bonds, it is not enough for the baseball writers throughout America to keep Barry Bonds out of the Hall of Fame. Before the year 2002, according to Major League Baseball's own rules, using steroids was not breaking the rules.
Therefore, we have to assume that Barry Bonds hit at least 613 home runs while not breaking Major League Baseball rules. This makes Barry Bonds a Hall of Fame player.
(Baseball stats taken from espn.com. Steroid information taken from cbssportsline.com
Published by D.S. Williamson
I live in Los Angeles and bet way too much money on horses. I am working on a novel when I'm not blowing my future retirement at the race track. View profile
- Up for Grabs - The Story of Barry Bonds' Record Homerun BallI'm a huge sports fan. So I was pretty aware of the controversy that surrounded the record homerun ball that Barry Bonds hit in October of '01.
- Breaking News: Barry Bonds Indicted for Perjury, Obstruction, but Not for Being BlackBarry Bonds was indicted on Thursday for perjury and obstruction of justice. The indictment shockingly did not mention that Bonds is black
- The Continuing Non-story of Barry Bonds Still Topping Albert Pujols in the HeadlinesAn analysis of the (possibly) historic 2006 season of Albert Pujols, the never ending saga of Barry Bonds and the media's coverage of both.
- Many Questions Surround Barry Bonds This SeasonThis is about the upcoming baseball season and how Barry Bonds' chase of the home run record will impact the game this year.
- Deserving Hall of Fame Pitchers A look at the careers of Bobby Matthews and Tommy John. Two of the winningest pitchers not in the Hall of Fame.
- Barry Bonds: Worthy of the Hall
- Should There Be an Asterisk Next to Barry Bonds Once He Breaks the Home Run Record?
- Barry Bonds Deserves to Be Home Run King
- Barry Bonds is the Home Run King
- Barry Bonds and the Challenge of Racism
- Barry Bonds: Little Known Facts and Stats
- Does Barry Bonds Deserve Your Support?
- Major League Baseball had no steroid policy before 2002.
- Barry Bonds has never admitted to knowingly using steroids.
- Barry Bonds owns some of the most impressive stats of any baseball player in history.