Coming Soon, Sports - Friday, July 27, 2007 17:16 - 6 Comments

Barry Bonds. Homerun Champ or Chump?

San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds is just two shy of breaking Hank Aaron’s MLB setting record of 755 homeruns. Although the record is at Bond’s fingertips with the world watching each time he steps on the plate, many people believe his record breaking homers have been tainted by knowingly using several types of illegal performance enhancing drugs.

I’ve had mixed feelings about the issue since Barry started chasing Hank’s famous 755 at the start of the season. There were many who just downright snubbed Bonds, but I have tried to look at this as objectively as possible. The first thing people need to realize is that it takes more than just “juice” to hit a homerun. You don’t just shoot up and start hitting bombs.

Steroids help to enhance strength and power and also aids in recovery to help reduce the risk of injury, but it does not help you to hit a fastball. You must be gifted to hit a baseball going 90 mph. I don’t care how big and strong you are. You need a great swing, good hand eye coordination, and great timing. Something steroids don’t do for you. If another major league slugger took performance enhancing drugs to hit homeruns, that would not necessarily equate to a new homerun champion.

On the flip side however, guys like Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron did not use steroids period. They relied on their own merits to get the job done. No disrespect to Bonds, but this is where my views change about him. Although I think he’s a great slugger and a very gifted athlete, he will never be as great as either The Babe or The Hammer. Both of these men were extraordinary hitters who broke records without any help outside of their own physical assets.

Regardless of the record, the Babe and Hank will always be remembered as two of the greatest hitters in MLB history. There is no controversy over that. Bonds however will always be surrounded by dispute and dissension.

Is Barry a chump? I don’t believe so. What he is done has truly been amazing and has helped to jump start a sluggish American sport. Is Barry the Champ? I don’t think so either. That title and legacy will continue with Hank Aaron, the undisputed and unenhanced homerun king.

Whats your take on this? Is Barry Bonds a Chump or Champ?

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