Spring is in the air across America, and that means one thing to sports fans: It's baseball season again.
America's pastime is back in action, and there is one thing that is on everyone's mind. Will Barry break Hank's record?
The record in question is the most coveted accomplishment in all of baseball, Hank Aaron's career home run record of 755.
Barry Bonds entered this season with 708 home runs, and should be back to good form this year after missing almost all of last season due to a leg injury. Considering that he has averaged 44 homers a year since 2000, it is very likely he can pass Aaron for first place by the end of the season.
While record chases of this proportion usually garner huge fan support, Bonds has not been welcomed by such celebration. Outside of San Francisco, the buzz surrounding his pursuit has been about allegations of steroid use to enhance his performance.
The allegations are not without merit. When breaking down Bonds' career there are clear indications that something happened around the turn of the century that drastically changed his performance.
Consider that Bonds began playing major league ball in 1986. For his first 14 seasons he had only three years of 40 or more home runs. But between 2000 and 2004 he hit 45 or more every year, including his single-season, record-breaking 73 homers in 2001.
Improving your numbers can come from other things besides steroids, such as extra time at batting practice and working with coaches to improve your swing. However, Bonds hasn't always been known for taking advice from others very well.
We know he has used steroids. Barry was one of the centerpieces of the BALCO steroids scandal in 2004. He testified to a grand jury that he unknowingly used substances known as "the cream" and "the clear" that his trainer gave to him in 2003. He said that he never knew it was steroids.
The book "Game of Shadows," released last month, chronicles Barry's steroid use. The book claims that Bonds began using steroids after the 1998 season out of jealousy for Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.
Bonds has denied all of the allegations, but the damage to his image has taken its toll.
Baseball's records have withstood the test of time for different reasons. Some claim that the game was played differently in the time of Babe Ruth. Others claim that strike zone rules and field dimensions have been changed to favor the hitter over the pitcher, and the balls have been wound tighter so they travel further.
Whatever the reason may be, one thing is certain: Steroid use cannot be rewarded.
The only controlled substances that DiMaggio, Ruth and Aaron were on were alcohol, tobacco or chewing gum. It discredits their accomplishments to take away their records and give them to a cheater, and anyone who uses steroids might as well have been throwing a game cause it is of the same caliber.
Whether Barry has knowingly used steroids or not is a question yet to be determined. However, the entire argument is still a black eye on baseball and will dominate the sport's coverage all year.
If it is proven that he has been on the juice, then baseball should do the right thing for once and take away his records. The same goes for McGwire and anyone else.
If the record books have to be restored to their previous settings, then so be it. These records were set by honest men who deserve respect for their accomplishments. If the records are to be broken, it should be done by men of the same caliber, not cheaters.
