Initially it appears that the study raises more questions than it answers. Now we’re faced with filtering out those that may have had a lapse in judgement, such as Andy Pettite, from the chronic offenders, such as Barry Bonds and those who used certain substances as part of a medical regimen, such as Jay Gibbons.
Frankly I really don’t care who injected/rubbed/ingested what into their bodies. What bothers me is that some people, Bonds is a prime example, apparently think the collective IQ of baseball fans hovers somewhere around the freezing point of water. Look at the evidence, compare Bonds to his contemporaries, how many players even come close to the curve of pure physical development he has achieved? I’ll reiterate – I don’t care what he did – but I find it patently offensive that he thinks we’re stupid enough to think he’s stupid enough to have been an unwitting participant in doping. This behavior would be a stark contrast to the meticulous, well-prepared Barry Bonds that has been portrayed in the past.
I’ve never liked the way Barry Bonds handled himself off the field, the chip on his shoulder has simply been too large. I used to love to watch him play – he was a Hoover in left field with a cannon of an arm, a threat at the plate and a dangerous baserunner – but off the field I was almost embarrased for him. Now he’s in such complete denial it’s simply pitiful, and he wants us to join him.
There are stories yet to be written on other players in the report. Roger Clemens will undoubtedly be the next one held under the microscope for a prolonged period. There are superstars of the past who will step up and acknowledge their level of participation, more names will certainly surface, and then there will be the group of players that few of us have heard of that simply wash out with the tide of scandal.
