The "integrity of the game"
Barry Bonds has reportedly testified that he "unknowingly" used steroids provided to him by his close friend and personal trainer. Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield have also been implicated in the steroid scandal. And Major League Baseball apparently plans to do exactly nothing to punish these players, although their organizations may take individual action.
A question for Barry Bonds: At what point in your transformation from David Banner to the Incredible Hulk should you have thought to ask, why is my body undergoing these bizarre changes?
A larger question for MLB: when are you going to consistently enforce the ethereal concept of the "integrity of the game"? In a statement earlier this year in support of legislation to ban steroids, Commissioner Bud Selig said, "The illegal use of steroids and other performance-enhancing substances is detrimental to the integrity of the game and the long-term health of the athletes who use them."
Hmm. Integrity of the game. That's a familiar phrase in baseball. Former Commissioner A Bartlett Giamatti used it when he banned Pete Rose from baseball for life for betting on baseball games. Giamatti concluded his press conference on Rose by stating,
"[W]hile there will be debate and dissent about this or that or another occurrence on or off the field, and while the game's nobler parts will always be enmeshed in the human frailties of those who, whatever their role, have stewardship of this game, let there be no doubt or dissent about our goals for baseball or our dedication to it. Nor about our vigilance and vigor - and patience - in protecting the game from blemish or stain or disgrace.
"The matter of Mr. Rose is now closed. It will be debated and discussed. Let no one think that it did not hurt baseball. That hurt will pass, however, as the great glory of the game asserts itself and a resilient institution goes forward. Let it also be clear that no individual is superior to the game."
Taking Giamatti at his word, Rose would have been banned even if these allegations had surfaced during his chase of Ty Cobb's all-time hits record, and not only later when he no longer played but managed the Cincinnati Reds. Should the same standard apply to Bonds, even as he chases the all-time homerun record of Hank Aaron? The answer is an unqualified yes.
Aaron himself expressed disappointment in Bonds, and while acknowledging that steroids can't make you hit a round ball approaching at 90 mph with a round stick with accuracy, he questioned whether steroids are a factor in the ability of a player Bonds' age (40) to bounce back and play day in and day out, as opposed to "unleaded" players. Aaron said, "Any way you look at it, it's wrong."
Is baseball serious about the integrity of the game? If Rose's transgressions warranted a lifetime suspension for tarnishing the game's integrity, are Bonds' offenses any less worthy of punishment? Is baseball content to keep putting fans in the seats, so it will take a pass on punishing these high profile players? Is Bonds superior to the game, or temporarily larger than Rose? If Bonds had integrity, he would retire. If baseball had integrity, Bonds would take his place alongside Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson. The stewards are asleep at the wheel if this goes unpunished.
A question for Barry Bonds: At what point in your transformation from David Banner to the Incredible Hulk should you have thought to ask, why is my body undergoing these bizarre changes?
A larger question for MLB: when are you going to consistently enforce the ethereal concept of the "integrity of the game"? In a statement earlier this year in support of legislation to ban steroids, Commissioner Bud Selig said, "The illegal use of steroids and other performance-enhancing substances is detrimental to the integrity of the game and the long-term health of the athletes who use them."
Hmm. Integrity of the game. That's a familiar phrase in baseball. Former Commissioner A Bartlett Giamatti used it when he banned Pete Rose from baseball for life for betting on baseball games. Giamatti concluded his press conference on Rose by stating,
"[W]hile there will be debate and dissent about this or that or another occurrence on or off the field, and while the game's nobler parts will always be enmeshed in the human frailties of those who, whatever their role, have stewardship of this game, let there be no doubt or dissent about our goals for baseball or our dedication to it. Nor about our vigilance and vigor - and patience - in protecting the game from blemish or stain or disgrace.
"The matter of Mr. Rose is now closed. It will be debated and discussed. Let no one think that it did not hurt baseball. That hurt will pass, however, as the great glory of the game asserts itself and a resilient institution goes forward. Let it also be clear that no individual is superior to the game."
Taking Giamatti at his word, Rose would have been banned even if these allegations had surfaced during his chase of Ty Cobb's all-time hits record, and not only later when he no longer played but managed the Cincinnati Reds. Should the same standard apply to Bonds, even as he chases the all-time homerun record of Hank Aaron? The answer is an unqualified yes.
Aaron himself expressed disappointment in Bonds, and while acknowledging that steroids can't make you hit a round ball approaching at 90 mph with a round stick with accuracy, he questioned whether steroids are a factor in the ability of a player Bonds' age (40) to bounce back and play day in and day out, as opposed to "unleaded" players. Aaron said, "Any way you look at it, it's wrong."
Is baseball serious about the integrity of the game? If Rose's transgressions warranted a lifetime suspension for tarnishing the game's integrity, are Bonds' offenses any less worthy of punishment? Is baseball content to keep putting fans in the seats, so it will take a pass on punishing these high profile players? Is Bonds superior to the game, or temporarily larger than Rose? If Bonds had integrity, he would retire. If baseball had integrity, Bonds would take his place alongside Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson. The stewards are asleep at the wheel if this goes unpunished.
posted by Hal | 9:31 AM
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