Baseball fans....

[ironchef]

I mean c'mon, seriously. Doesn't one need to actually have character before they can claim that it was defamed?

Bonds reportedly preparing to sue Schilling - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

 

[Andy M.]

I think he's responding to Schilling's comment that if he was innocent, he should be sueing anyone who made comments about his illegal/prohibited drug use.

Your comment is right on!

 

[Jeekinz]

Schill needs to "Shut his pie hole!"

His mouth is as big as Sheffields......maybe just a tad smaller.

 

[auntdot]

If Schilling was merely iterating what someone else said, and that can be documented, I believe he is home free. Reporters all the time say that someone has accused someone else of some nasty or illicit behavior and are not subject to libel/slander judgements because of it.

Of course this may just be a bullying technique by the lawyers to silence Schilling. Nah, no lawyer would ever do that.

Were I Bonds the last thing I would want is a sensational lawsuit with every journalist/media person who makes his or her living on tittilation going out to find every bit of dirt on Bonds they could find.

 

[Barbara L]

Were I Bonds the last thing I would want is a sensational lawsuit with every journalist/media person who makes his or her living on tittilation going out to find every bit of dirt on Bonds they could find.

That's the difference between Bonds and sensible people.

Barbara

 

[Jeekinz]

How many ballplayers took 'Greenies'?

The whole League was on something at one point or another.

IMHO, I'm not sure what to think about Bonds....I mean, alot of players were on something.....and Selig knew it.

He made his bed.

 

[Uncle Bob]

I mean c'mon, seriously. Doesn't one need to actually have character before they can claim that it was defamed?

Bravo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Andy M.]

...I mean, alot of players were on something...

Then they are all guilty.

"Everybody else is doing it!" Wasn't a valid excuse for screwing up when you were a kid, and it isn't now.

 

[ironchef]

Personally, I don't really care as to whether or not Barry took 'roids. Without them, he would still have easily been a first ballot Hall of Famer. Along with Ken Griffey Jr., Bonds was one of the top two best outfielders and one of the top five best players in the 90's, a true five-tool talent who could do it all. He was a great player way before he hit the 73 homeruns.

However, his surly attitude distanced himself from most fans, and how he handled the whole Balco fiasco was very poor. How he handled the other allegations and the ensuing scandal was just as bad. For me, that's the problem that I have with his character.

 

[BigDog]

Personally, I don't really care as to whether or not Barry took 'roids. Without them, he would still have easily been a first ballot Hall of Famer. Along with Ken Griffey Jr., Bonds was one of the top two best outfielders and one of the top five best players in the 90's, a true five-tool talent who could do it all. He was a great player way before he hit the 73 homeruns.

I dunno, I saw some early years footage of Bonds, and the dude is twice as big, and ripped, now. I'm not trying to discredit what his ability would have been clean, but I don't think he would be as big (no pun intended) as he is now. He may still have been a stellar athlete, but I think the home run derby might have been different.

 

[Andy M.]

BD, you're right. He was a top ballplayer before the drugs. He would have made the Hall of Fame without them, just not as a home run hitter.

 

[IainDaniel]

Personally, I don't really care as to whether or not Barry took 'roids. Without them, he would still have easily been a first ballot Hall of Famer. Along with Ken Griffey Jr., Bonds was one of the top two best outfielders and one of the top five best players in the 90's, a true five-tool talent who could do it all. He was a great player way before he hit the 73 homeruns.

However, his surly attitude distanced himself from most fans, and how he handled the whole Balco fiasco was very poor. How he handled the other allegations and the ensuing scandal was just as bad. For me, that's the problem that I have with his character.

The problem is he just broke the most coveted record in baseball. It isn't about his HOF status.

Baseball is a games of stats and records.

 

[Jeekinz]

The only reason the name 'Barry Bonds' is known in every household, is the fact that he surpassed Hank Aaron. I'm definately not making excuses for anyone, but PED's have been in MLB for a long time. The former Mets clubhouse manager has a laundry list of active players that were once users. I think it was 175 ballplayers?

Bonds has his time in the spotlight now, but I'm sure he will be surpassed in the near future. (gulp....A-Rod)

 

[ironchef]

The problem is he just broke the most coveted record in baseball. It isn't about his HOF status.

Baseball is a games of stats and records.

HOF status is actually a part of it. For example, many people close to baseball don't feel that Rafael Palmeiro deserves to be in the Hall of Fame despite his 569 homeruns. If Palmeiro doesn't get voted in, then who does and who doesn't? Sosa? McGwire? Bonds? By all accounts, Bonds' last juice-free season (except for maybe recently) was in 2000. Out of all the notable players who have made the 500 homerun club (a usual sign of surefire HOF status) and have been linked to steriod use, Bonds is arguably the only one who would have made the HOF without the stats put up in his juiced years.

 

[BBQ Mikey]

My 2 cents. Schilling vs. Bonds = big mouth vs. big mouth.
It will amount to nothing. Its hear say and won't hold up in court, this is how big boys fight I suppose.

As for HOF, Palmero was one of those soft spoken guys that never craved the spotlight, had he not done the Viagra commercials people would forget about him completely. Yes he deserves HOF, and will make it....50 years from now from a Vets committee vote. Its just what happens to the soft spoken.

Bonds is a GREAT player, before the juice he was one of maybe 1-3 guys, perhaps the first, to have a 40 HR 40 SB year. He is a disagreeable man, however. He did break the Babes and Aarons records, so if you give the average man steroids, they wouldnt come close to that, but the juice helped.

Where I stand? If Pete Rose isnt in for how "he defamed the game" Bonds should get the same treatment x10!! But....I think they both should be allowed in. They were well above great players and well below average men.

 

[ironchef]

perhaps the first, to have a 40 HR 40 SB year. He is a disagreeable man, however.

Actually, the first 40/40 player was the Granddaddy of the juicers: Jose Canseco

 

[IainDaniel]

HOF status is actually a part of it. For example, many people close to baseball don't feel that Rafael Palmeiro deserves to be in the Hall of Fame despite his 569 homeruns. If Palmeiro doesn't get voted in, then who does and who doesn't? Sosa? McGwire? Bonds? By all accounts, Bonds' last juice-free season (except for maybe recently) was in 2000. Out of all the notable players who have made the 500 homerun club (a usual sign of surefire HOF status) and have been linked to steriod use, Bonds is arguably the only one who would have made the HOF without the stats put up in his juiced years.

I don't really see it that way. I have no problem with him being in the HOF, baseball made the bed they play in, and neglected the problem.

Cheating and baseball have gone on since the beginning of the game. From Corked Bats (even mentions of Ruth using one) to Gaylord Perry(current HOF'er) scuffing balls, and using the spitball, to George Brett and the infamous pinetar incident.

Is it right NO. But society for the most part doesn't really give two craps.

 

[Jeekinz]

This should be interesting:

FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Report: Ex-Mets attendant named clients