Monday, May 08, 2006

Junkie


With just another home run to go to tie Babe Ruth's mark of home runs, the spotlight will soon shine on Barry Bonds. I don't know what kind of person he is, short of the unmistakable fact that he cheated in baseball. And lied about it. And continues to lie about it.

Hank Aaron, let's remember, is a true baseball legend. By no means a saint or perfect, he nonetheless gave his heart and soul to the game - and endured endless racism and threats against his life and family to slowly but steadily erode and then shatter one of baseball's oldest and most prestigious records. And guess what, he didn't lie to everyone and to himself; he played for pure love of the game, and enough money to live well. One of the best players ever? Um, yeah I'd say so.

I have no sympathy for Barry Bonds, only pity. While I hope he eventually gets thrown in jail for perjury and his records are expunged - I'm not holding my breath. I take solace in the fact that no matter his inevitable breaking of Hank Aaron's homerun record, Bonds will only be seen as a junkie and a cheat for the rest of his life and beyond.