With all the attention afforded Barry Bonds and the swirling rumors, conjecture, and speculation about past transgressions, more than a few columnists have set back and debated his place in history. They're argued about his batting eye, former base stealing prowess, the string of Gold Glove seasons, and how his body and game changed with age.

We've been there and done that. Fans and writers have formed their opinions and made their judgments. Only ironclad proof in the form of a used needle is likely to sway anyone at this point. Everything else has already been written.

So, I'm looking to open a new dialogue. I want to try and get people to stand up and be counted in looking at the careers of two certain future Hall of Famers, in my opinion. One might be done with the game, although no formal announcement has been made at this juncture. The other has been the victim of bad luck since returning to his hometown.

First, I think everyone would agree that Ken Griffey, Jr. is a Hall of Famer.  He stands 12th on the All-Time HR list with 538, having broken the tie with Mickey Mantle with his first homer of 2006. Junior owns seven seasons with 40 or more home runs (13 with at least 20). He also ranks 36th all-time with over 1,540 RBI and possesses a .293 career average. It's almost frightening to think that he's just now 36 years old.

Unfortunately, a series of hamstring injuries and most recently a strained knee, have made Griffey a frequent visitor to the DL. His last 40-HR season occurred in 2000, his first year in Cincinnati. It was the final year of a five-year span during which he hit 40 or more home runs in each season. He enjoyed a renaissance last season with 35 HR and 92 RBI, but still appeared in only 128 games. So, he's in.

But where do you rank him in players you've seen? How about among players of his generation?

I would rank him second only to Bonds, although with enough highlights of his early exploits in the field, you might sway me. Griffey could do it all before injuries ravaged his body. He stood as the classic five-tool performer. Unfortunately, the hamstring injuries removed the stolen base from his arsenal.

Moving on ... where do you stand on Jeff Bagwell?

For me, he's the consummate professional - lightning fast hands, good clubhouse guy, and RBI machine. In fact, coming into 2006, he stood 40th on the all-time list right behind Griffey. He has 449 home runs to his name with a strong .297 average. Everyone remembers the power, but what about the fact that he's also got 202 stolen bases to his name. That's right, he had three seasons over 20 stolen bases.

Bagwell is a throwback to the way the game used to be played. He has drawn nearly as many walks as he has struck out. He's been plunked 128 times and has a career OBP over .400.

And ... he's spent his entire Major League career in a Houston Astros uniform. Not many can make that claim anymore. Bagwell in the batting cage was always one of the most awesome things you could see in the last 15 years.

In this day when every newspaper , talk radio show, and online source spends at least part of its efforts on the ongoing investigation (more minor leaguers caught today, so somebody isn't getting the message), look at these stars to remind yourselves what makes the game great.