Bonds 2007: An Historical Quandary

Baseball stuck in an awful dilemma

22 home runs. That's how many Barry Bonds needs to hit to become baseball's new all-time Home Run King.

There is no record more coveted than Major League Baseball's home run record. At the same time, baseball has never seen a player that caused so much controversy. For about eight seasons now, the slugger has been atop steroid allegations. His trainer, Greg Anderson, has been indicted several times for providing steroids to other players and has refused to testify as to whether he gave Bonds steroids or not. There has even been a book written by former player Jose Canseco, that allegedly pins steroid use to Barry Bonds and others.

Bonds is still facing allegations that performance-enhancing drugs fueled his chase for the home run title. Add to that a report that he failed an amphetamines test last season and pressing questions arise. If he gets the record, should there be an asterisk next to it? Should it even count? Should any of his records count? Should he be allowed to play?

MLB commissioner Bud Selig has said that he is, as of yet, undecided on what exactly to do if/when Bonds reaches the mark. When Bonds approached the Ruth mark, Selig ordered there to be no baseball-wide celebration. Selig has made it clear that he has little respect for Bonds record attempts. It has been rumored that the Commissioner will not attend any game that could potentially give Bonds the record.

• Barry Bonds needs 22 home runs to become the Home Run "King"
• Bonds has been allegedly helped with steroids
• Selig may choose to discount the record.

Although there seems to be overwhelming evidence pointing to Bonds' ingesting of steroids, it has not yet been proven in the court of law. As much as it pains me to say it, an asterisk should not be placed to the slugger's records, nor should they be banished from the books until it is proven that he has cheated.

Even if it is never proven whether Bonds took steroids or not, Bonds name and records will be tainted forever. People have put so much emphasis on his guiltiness that, for generations to come, there will be mental asterisks associated with Bonds regardless of the outcomes of legal action. It would, then, be unfair for Bud Selig to take further action against Bonds unless new, condemning evidence is presented.

There is a good chance that Bonds will break the home run record this season. It will be interesting to see the reaction from Bud Selig and the rest of the public.