I mean, by putting Bonds in first aren't we basically then implying that steroid use isn't as bad as gambling??  I don't think betting on your team to win should be that big of a deal, if you're betting on them to lose then that's a different story but either way cheating to inflate your personal numbers should be viewed much more harshely than gambling
202073
First of all, don't forget Shoeless Joe Jackson! Rose should already be in - as a first ballot inductee.  If there is a Hall of Fame, then his playing career numbers are among the best in MLB history.  Bonds should also get in.  Assuming he took steroids, his pre seroid numbers easily qualify him for first ballot induction.  \n\nIs anyone opposing the induction of Rose and Bonds aware of  the character flaws of prior inductees?  Cobb allegedly killed his father in law.  A high percentage of HOF members who played in the 70's through the 90's used "greenies" (available in the clubhouse!!!) - illegal without a medical prescription!!!  A few pitchers (illegally) threw spit balls to enhance their careers. \n\nFurthermore, arguably baseball wouldn't be as popular today without having gone through a steroids period.  Consider that the cancellation of the World Series by the owners as an over reaction to a labor dispute created a bad odor over all of baseball.  When MLB baseball resumed, fan interest had declined significantly.  It wasn't until the (perhaps steroid induced) homerun barrage, highlighed by the colossal battle between McGuire and Sosa, that fans fully returnd their attention to baseball.  So, perhaps steroids brought the fans back and fattened the pocket books of the owners (who are also complicid in this).  If steroids were the reason, who lost (I don't for a moment discount the trajedy of some hero worshipping teen thinking steroids are ok; and then causing serious injury to his life).  \n\nSome argue that the concept of comparing statistics from one era to another is no longer possible and that records no longer mean anything.  Well, even  without steroids, it still would not be possible to accurately compare the statistis of one era to another.  Yes, Ruth as unbelievable as his stats were, (hence the term "Ruthian"), still can't be compared to later day stats. Ruth didn't compete against the best athletes of his day - only the best white athletes (due to the racist rules of the owners)!!! (Interesting, as an aside, in the off season, while "barnstorming" he competed against Negro League all stars.)  Also, Ruth played in few night games (there weren't any until the late '30s).  Also there was no plane travel to the Left Coast.  There were only 8 teams; none further west than St louis nor further south than Washingon (DC).  Travel was relatively easy.  In short, a players statistics can only be compared to those who played in his era.  \n\nThe Hall of Fame is only for the top 1% of a particular era.  And, in view of all the character flaws of the existing members of the HOF, voters have (and should continue to) only looked at what transpired "between the lines".  Would anyone argue that Rose, Bonds AND Shoeless Joe Jackson were not in the top 1% of players in their respective eras?
306263
Absolutely!  I agree with your reasoning, but I want the record away from Bonds even more.  I'd like to see it belong to someone legit so it is not disputed, and then have it stand for a long time.
278107
Playing cards?  As long as He isn't gambling where is the sin?  And personally, I believe if it is for monopoly money or some such minor thing, it still isn't gambling.  \n\nGagging at those gnats again.
206774
Sadly they can't prove it, but any MLB or baseball fan in general worth their salt should not honor his "achievements". Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron are far and away better players than Bonds will ever be because they set their records without the use of body/muscle enchancing drugs.\n\nUnless Bonds outright admits to steroid use, the MLB commission can't do anything.\n\nJust like the OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson trial, everyone but the jury knows he's guilty.
251765
Ya, gamble is entertainment.  Gamble under control is never a problem.  People like to gamble because it's fun.  If Charles Barley spends couple hunded bucks on gambling each year, that's not a problem.  That's way below some women spent on shopping.\n\nAnd he said several times he has the gambling problem, not many people will admit their own faults.  Gambling addiction is bad, but as long as he won't be addicted to it, that won't be a problem.
316087
I agree with you, but as far as baseball goes, they didn't "catch on" (which isn't a good thing) until the early-mid 80's. I know myself, no joking of a few players who used steroids to get ripped, as in muscle tone and bat speed, and running speed as well as to prolong thier careers. It is a much different "cycle" than those looking to be huge and monsterous. I'll give you a clue on one of them, he played for the Reds and Tigers and his name rhymes with Derek Shavis. People think ball players tak it for one reason: to hit homers. But the effects are much more potent and better when you try to use it for endurance and to get "chisled". How do I know this, I have studied baseball for 10 of my 20 years on this planet, and I have met and talked to a lot of ball players. It doesn't however make it better to not use it to bulk up, but look at why runners use it and marathoners. Imagine trying to run 26.2 miles and having it feel like 5 miles. Imagine the extra step when you are trying to steal a base? Imagine a few more mph on an outfield throw to get runners out? Or maybe even the extra step to run out a long fly ball. Those are the people MOST don't know about. When a player takes it to bulk, they have one thing on their mind: home runs. So my point is they are both cheaters and punks.
437481
I do think that there is enough betting on football that the games are fixed. Especially pro football and major college football games. The Steelers winning last years Super Bowl???? Give me a break!!
551695
It depends upon what standards one wants to use.  If we wanted to elect moral heroes to the Baseball Hall of Fame, then Barry Bonds would not be a good pick.  Aside from the debate about whether or not Mr. Bonds used steroids, Mr. Bonds is a nasty character in American sport.  He is a churlish boor.  \n\nHowever, one does not get into the Baseball Hall of Fame because of one's moral qualities per se.  The simple fact is that many members of the Baseball Hall of Fame were slimy characters.  Babe Ruth, for all of his home runs, was a lush. Ty Cobb would do anything to stretch a single into a double or to break up a double play--including spiking players.  Gaylord Perry was a cheater, too--he managed to doctor the baseball well enough to win 314 games.  But I hear no one say that he doesn't belong in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  And these are not the only examples...just a few I can think up off the top of my head.  \n\nMany people say that Barry Bonds took steroids.  Quite frankly, that is probably true...but he is not the only one.  I wonder how many pitchers took steroids or other substances to heal faster or to get that extra mile per hour on the fastball? I wonder how many pitchers today doctor the baseball (Kenny Rogers??)?  \n\nHere is an indisputable fact: Athletes since the times of ancient   Greece have done everything they could to advance themselves     within and without the rules of their sports.  If Mr. Bonds did take steroids, (which he may have taken and even if he had in the time frame in which he allegedly taken these chemicals they were not illegal to use in baseball at that time) then he simply did what other athletes have done.  \n\nSo, should Barry Bonds be in the Baseball Hall of Fame? Considering the moral qualities of many who have already been elected to this honor and his baseball acheivements, I reluctantly say yes.
17315
I think that they should keep the politics out of the World Baseball Classic and treat it like the Olympics. By not letting the Cuba team play, it will leave the critics too much lead wat to debate the outcome of the VERY FIRST World Baseball Classic. Since it is the 1st one, I believe that it is very important for it to be as successful as possible with as few problems on and off the field as possible. I am very excited about the pride that all the MLB players are taking in this event. \n\nOne more note on Cuba baseball. It is just totally strange to me that the 2 most successful MLB players from Cuba have been involved in Steroid cases leading to me wonder about how great the Cuba baseball organization really is. I am sure that they have good players, but the ones that have made it to the MLB have either been a flop or have been tested for steroids. \n\nI say that the USA team will be more concerned with the DOM REP team than the Cuban Team.....
201073
Nope.  We don't want people who ultimately are in control of the game to be able to gamble on the outcome.
135469
Its because america has not successfully receded from discrimination and racism and we never will. Its very shameful for a group of people that call themselves baseball fans to rip a guy whos been one of the best players in this game, but i can understand their viewpoint. Barry Bonds has already broken a few all time records and is on the verge to tap on the doorsteps of immortality when he surpasses Babe Ruth and takes the second spot in the all time hr record...all this while he took steroids. So these "fans" call him a cheat and all these negative things because of that. The thing that pisses me off is that there are many other baseball players that have taken steroids like jason giambi, gary sheffield, jose canseco, yet everyone has to drive Barry Bonds to the dirt. Barry bonds would still have been an allstar without the roids just without a few homers give or take 100. since he is the most high profile player in the steroid scandal everyone is disregarding him and hassling him. This is a terrible act and a type of discrimination. the media is not helping either. they are destroying all that is and was bonds and the guy is contemplating retirements because of all these bigots. if giambi was on the verge of breaking babe ruths record i wonder if people would hate on him....anyways, victor conti is the devil here. he should be banned from baseball and put into jail. make him suffer because he ruined all these great careers and put an asterik next to them.
667961
I think your friend is a cheating bastard...  I agree that it is ethical and within the rules of the game, but c'mon, be a MAN! In my league, I make sure I max out the IP's and games played and I expect the same from my competitors. You ain't got no bragging rights if you win by wimping out...
604270
Imagine what the managers think about that, now that the All-Star Game actually means home-field advantage in the World Series! THAT'S the ridiculous part, in my opinion. Having to play those "former greats" rather than the more talented but not-as-popular players that didn't make the fans' cut . . . that's gotta be frustrating when the game is on the line. I just hope that we don't start seeing any sacrifice bunts in the All-Star game, just so one team can win. The All-Star game should be a fun game.\n\nThen again . . . seeing Barry Bonds bunt would be fun.
664287
Yes, because his exploits as a player are what should get him considered, not the fact that he was a numbskull betting on baseball, including his own team!
555225
Unless you have a way of taxing their winnings, then it's illegal - Even if they're not betting, they're winning and winnings over a certain amount (Even in the form of prizes, like an Xbox) are taxable.
250569
jahhhahhah! of course we are..do as we say not was we doers..that's what we are...i struggle with that all the time...oh well.. cut barry a break, he knows he's lame, but he's working on that. yeah, he's a buttface, but he's a danged good baseball player!!!! danged good. sprots are bought and paid for..and barry just decided to spend his dough to become a better player..yeah, i think he did it...but who cares, he gives us a show! i'm gonna say it agian. he's one heck of a player!  and like really, how does roids make him really play better...he gets a personal high...ok, so ...what..like millions of people don't buy illegal drugs, better yet, like billions of baseball hoares don't drink beer at the game...give me a break...let 'em all take roids..see what kinda game they can play then.  hypocrites, yes, absolutely. i am one of the worst out there...i try not to be...but then again i don't have an important role in the big leagues...i live here, one small person, in one small house with my family...who do as i do, not as i say...f Uck them and let them use xxx and yyy and zzz to power up and out...they really are only hurting themselves...steroids don't give you super powers...they just make you more...person. throw the ball, let's play!\nmaybe that is why bonds is loved and hated...the roids...think about it. really. and give him slack...he's a human, like us all, but on roids...that was just plain ol wrong what someone did to him at the pads game...he's only human!  just like p bush!
201293
Steroids are only illegal in competition. It's not against federal, state, or local laws to use steroids.