This Bud’s Not For You

There were reports Thursday that Major League Baseball had decided to launch an investigation into the alleged steroid use by Barry Bonds. Bud Selig has publicly denied any such investigation. "It's just something I'd rather not discuss right now," Selig told reporters at the USA-Mexico clash in the WBC tourney. "I'll make the decision based on all the factors that are involved and go from there, and do what I think is in the best interest of everybody involved."

Let’s consider what could be the factors that the “commissioner who wore no clothes” could be deciding on.

Q: Will the African-American population feel this is just a threat to Bonds passing Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list.

A: Last time I looked, Hank Aaron was the all-time home run leader. It’s a great accomplishment to pass Babe Ruth, but Hammerin’ Hank is still #1.

Q: How much longer should I procrastinate?

A: This is a tough one Bud. You ignored the rumors of rampant steroid use in the league for years. You looked the other way in 1998 when a puffy Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa hit one moon shot after another. You needed to get the fans back from the 1994 strike and just figured, “boy these guys work out.” Jason Giambi was rumored to be the biggest juicer in the game. You did nothing about it until Giambi was forced to testify before a grand jury. You didn’t even stir until Congress came calling. Even then you were ready to decline the Congressional Committee’s invite, until you realized it wasn’t so much an invite as a “you had better be there”. The absurd testimony of McGwire, Sosa, excuse me - Sosa’s lawyer, and Rafael Palmiero further emphasized your “look the other way” attitude. Now comes the case of the man with the ever-growing head, and I don’t just mean his ego, Barry Bonds. Rumors have followed Bonds since the 1999 season when his physique increased dramatically. His name was mentioned in front of the same grand jury that Giambi spilled his enhanced guts to.

Now comes a book, “Game of Shadows”, that is due out for release on March 23. Excerpts were first published in this past week’s Sports Illustrated. The author’s have done more work than you, first reporting for the San Francisco Chronicle and now expanding their investigation to write the book. It clearly documents the extent of Bonds’s steroid abuse. Is there really anything to think about?

Q: What if I investigate and it damages the game?

A: Buddy, Buddy, Buddy…you crazy guy. The game is already damaged. Fans of the San Francisco Giants readily admit that Bonds is “probably” on steroids, but yet they still root for him and want him to pass both Ruth and Aaron. New York Yankees fans have accepted Jason Giambi back into the fold since his apology for nothing last spring and his redemption on the field. Gary Sheffield has gotten a pass as well since he has driven in 100 runs each of the last two seasons. Had he struggled, Yankee fans would have vilified him. You may not be to blame for the fan’s apathy, but your lack of action until recently has certainly helped to strengthen those feelings.

Bud, you are certainly not to blame for players abusing their bodies and the game itself, but you’re indecisiveness and fear of action/reaction is all on you. Grow a set, will ya.

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The opinion here is that a full investigation needs to be done by not only MLB, but the government as well. As much as I hate to see the feds get involved in these matters, this goes much deeper than just professional sports. And I’m not talking about some bunch of idiot Congressmen. Real investigators need to be used. The pervasive use of steroids and human growth hormones in high school and college athletes is very disturbing. Just as with illegal drugs, the sellers need to be stopped, not just the users.

As for players such as McGwire, Sosa, etc., it is difficult to quantify their statistics unless they admit to when they began steroid use. That being said, their offense is the equal of, and possibly worse than, that of Pete Rose. Therefore these players should not be eligible for enshrinement in the baseball. If they are put on the ballot, then the baseball writer’s should not vote them in.

It’s clear that the game has been warped by what has taken place. Now it is up to individuals to get the game back to level.