So it finally happened: Barry Bonds is the All-Time Home Run King. And
while his name may be smeared from sea to shining sea and his
achievement referred to as tainted, I say it is hypocrisy, and that we
should crown our king, no strings attached.

The player isn't tainted, the sport is. Back in the 90's, (remember
then) baseball had record low viewership and attendance. You see, a
bunch of millionaire players and billionaire owners had a big
disagreement over a relatively small percentage of their money, and the
players didn't play for half a season over it. Unfortunately, this
small percentage was exponentially more than the average baseball fan
family made in a year. People got angry, and stayed away in droves.

Then, in the 98-99 season, something magical happened. Players began
hitting baseballs, literally, like never before. Two steroid users were
each threatening the sport's longest standing important record. This
home run chase saved the sport, and brought it to where it is today.
Period. Barry is simply the greatest of these enhanced hitters. Barry
broke the record set by that chase. Barry hit baseballs that were
thrown by steroid enhanced pitchers. Barry hit more HRs than any man to
ever live. This is a sport where players have popped pre-game
amphetamines for decades and were seen smoking in the dugout in the
sport's so-called glory days.

Do any of you honestly believe Babe Ruth was a better man than Barry
Bonds? Seriously? The Segregation King? He was playing homerun derby
with a bunch of 150 pound scrawny white pitchers before literally anyone
lifted weights. If he had not abused his body so badly with all the
standard vices he easily could have set records that still would stand
today. The only difference in perception is 24 hour news services.

So crown Barry Bonds. Do not let the state of sports as a whole bury a
lifetime of dedication and perseverance. Hank Aaron saw through the BS
and the e-lynchings. We are all dictated by our times. Thomas
Jefferson had slaves. JFK had mistresses by the dozens. Barry has
steroids. Hope for the future, but do not dwell in the past nor deny
the present.