The Collegian

Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Sports

Barry Bonds, Mike Bacsik, and Duane Kuiper will forever be linked to that August 7 night when Bonds placed home run number 756 in the centerfield seats at AT&T Park. In what should have been one of the greatest moments in baseball history quickly turned nasty, not by the fans or Major League Baseball, but by the media.

The coverage on ESPN by multiple shows focused not on the accomplishment itself but focused on the controversy surrounding the new home run record. Lance Williams, co-author of Game of Shadows, was interviewed on ESPNews, among other shows, about the illegitimacy of the new home run record. Atlanta Braves great Dale Murphy, an avid Bonds dissenter, was also interviewed.

The problem with much of the media is the overlooking of the entire era. They treat Bonds as if he is the only potential criminal in this era of baseball.

One of the questions posed to Bonds in the postgame press conference was, "Is the record tainted?" I am not saying that the record is or is not tainted. What I will say is that the "steroid era" has affected every player in some way.

The majority of the players who have failed MLB drug tests have been pitchers. Clay Hensley, who surrendered home run number 755 to Bonds, had failed a minor league test for steroids.

How many of Bonds' home runs came off of juiced pitchers?

Moreover, how do we know others in this era that might pass Bonds have not already had medicinal help? Alex Rodriguez is the quickest man to 500 home runs. If he stays on this pace and for all intents and purposes Bonds stops at 775, he will get to Bonds in about six or seven years. In seven years, A-Rod will reach the age of 39. Neither Bonds, Aaron, nor Ruth reached 700 before the age of 40-don't rule this out.

Many writers, not including myself, have also devalued the home run because in this age the number of players reaching 500 home runs, previously an automatic number for induction to the Hall of Fame, has near equaled the total 500 home run hitters before the 1990s.

Here are the real facts. In the "steroid" era, seven players to date have reached the 500 home run plateau. Three more are very close to reaching the number as well. When Aaron broke into the league, there were only three members of the 500 home run club. During Aaron's 23 seasons in MLB, eight players including Aaron passed 500 home runs. Three other players that played with Aaron passed 500 home runs after "The Hammer" called it quits. Why was the home run not devalued then? After Aaron was finished in baseball, the number of 500 home run hitters jumped from three to 11.

Bonds is the new home run king and the record, legitimate or not, stands. Check the home run numbers again. They do not lie.

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