Al Gregson, who writes about local golf for the Daily Record/Sunday News, recently shared his thoughts about Barry Bonds:
Now that Gary Player has linked golf to baseball with steroid use, however incrementally, it’s time to ponder.
Player speculates that as many as 10 golfers may be involved but knows of one for sure. The accusations and admissions are higher in baseball.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Giants fan. I have seen, and rooted for, Mel Ott, Bobby Thomson, Willie Mays, Juan Marichal and, yes, Barry Bonds.
Many people have chosen to dislike Bonds. Most of those, I submit, have been swayed by something they have read or something they have heard about him, whether it’s true or not. The rest are Pirate fans who have never gotten over his going to the Giants in 1993.
I have seen Bonds interviewed on television quite a few times. He’s usually been quite affable and personable. If you know otherwise, you’re free to disagree.
Forget the home runs. In the last five years including 2005 when he was out for most of the season Bonds stole 21 bases and was caught stealing only once, pretty good for a man between the ages of 39 and 43. He’s 5 and 0 in 2007.
Now, as to his alleged steroid use, Bonds has never, I mean never failed a drug test for steroids. If we can convict Bonds of steroid use in the court of public opinion, why the heck couldn’t we convict O.J. Simpson of murder in a California court?
The answer is in the presumption of innocence upon which our legal system is based. Outside the courtroom, it appears another law prevails. It is a law of gossip and innuendo, filled with half-truths. And it’s wrong.
Steroid use is being equated with marijuana and cocaine.
Put yourself in Bonds’ cleats for just one at bat in an enemy ballpark.
Boos, insults and curses rain down upon you from the upper and lower decks. Your family is verbally attacked. Your very being is vilified.
Beer-swilling, out-of-shape fans who have never graced the inside of a gym accuse you of being a cheater, despite your many hours, weeks and months of workouts and rehab.
Could you take it? Could you handle that incessant pounding to your psyche?
Down each line, a baseball park has a foul pole. Often it has been said that it should be called a fair pole, because a ball that strikes it is fair, not foul.
Why can’t the court of public opinion be a fair poll?
Give Barry Bonds a break.
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