January 11th, 2007 → 11:51 am @ Seth Mnookin // No Comments
In today’s Daily News, T.J. Quinn (the same reporter behind the weirdly ignored revelation that, in 2001, a bag linked to Juan Gonzalez and a Cleveland Indians trainer was discovered filled with ‘roids), breaks the news that Barry “I have never failed a drug test” Bonds tested positive last year for a “serious stimulant”…the kind which was recently banned by MLB. (Except for folks suffering from ADD. Got that, D-Lowe?) So that’s what explains the difference between Bonds’ cap size in Pittsburgh and his one in San Francisco. Take note, pep pill fans: pop too many greenies and you’ll be spending lots o’ dough at your local milliner.
This promises to make Bonds’ pursuit of Hammering Hank’s all-time HR record even more fun! If Bonds is shown definitively to have lied — something which, to be sure, could also come out in the federal investigation regarding his grand jury testimony in the Balco case — it also could very well give HoF voters just the out they need to withhold a vote for Barry without needing to pass judgment on everyone who played in what will be known as the steroid era. (See: McGwire, Mark.)
Post Categories: Barry Bonds & Greenies & Hall of Fame & Mark McGwire & Steroids & T.J. Quinn
thetango
17 years ago
Seth,
I can’t seem to find the rules about amphetamine usage in baseball. Are they the same as the steroid rule (1st time 50 games, 2nd time 100, third time lifetime suspension)?
Thanks — I loved the book and love the blog …
They’re not the same. I think some explanation might be in the story up on the ESPN site.
— Seth
PatsFanDK
17 years ago
It’s really a shame. If Bonds hadn’t done ‘roids, he would still go down as one of the greatest players ever. I’d bet he’d still end up with around 600 homers, and probably more SB because all the steroid use has screwed up his knees. A sad story to say the least.
HFXBOB
17 years ago
It’s becoming more and more apparent that Barry Bonds, though one of the greatest ballplayers ever to put on a uniform, is never going to be in the Hall of Fame. Instead he will take a place next to Pete Rose. Like Rose, Bonds has an arrogance to match his talent, and like Rose he will deserve what he doesn’t get.
tmurph13
17 years ago
I think McGwire and Bonds and others will make the hall someday. 15 years is a longtime and revisionist analysis will always follow after a popular opinion is laid down (as the rejection by 75% of the voters did in McGwire’s case). In the coming years look for examination of the effect of the steroid on pitching during the McGwire era, look for McWire to speak out (what’s the statute of limitation on perjury?) and more importantly look for the continuing development and use of performance enhancers in all of sports. I believe we are in a infantile stage of development of performance enhancers. I think they will continue to develop because there is too much natural demand backed up by serious resources for them in the marketplace. Prohibtion as policy never works, eventually they will be accepted and those tainted by the purported use will be elected. Jose Canseco however shall still remain an asshole.
Mude
17 years ago
Off topic here, Seth: Did I miss your 2006 recap, or are you going to give us a 2-for-1 special at the end of the ’07 season?
I know, I know…I was hoping no one would notice. I still owe it to you guys. Or at least still owe something. It’ll be my new year’s resolution. Or one of them, anyway.
— Seth