Now this is true. For every game the Colorado Rockies play at home; we must remember that there are two teams on that field; and every natural or environmental advantage that we may think of is there for both teams.
Mattimeo, so what do you think of the Bonds situation; and what of Pete Rose?

While I am certainly not rooting Bonds on, and firmly believe he has cheated during his carrer, I do not think MLB can simply strike his records from history based on nothing but allegations, however easy to believe they may be. If they can somehow prove he was using steriods I believe he will still be credited with records, but with a '*' (people forget that up until recently it was not against MLB rules to use steriods however illegal they may have been). Also, many players have cheated in the past and still hold records. (certain hall of fame pitchers, for example, have admitted to both scuffing balls and appling foriegn substances to them) I am not saying any of this is right, but it has happened.

People need to remember that MLB is just as guilty as many of the players for their contrabutions to the steriod problem. They turned their back on the problem because, at the time, baseball was seeing lower profits as a result of the strike and all the homerun races and big numbers brought fans, and money, back. MLB's testing policy was ludicrous, and the drug problem known, but management was to afraid to do what was right for fear of driving the freshly renewed fan base away.

I agree with a previous poster -- in the record book in my head roger maris and hank arron stand, and will remain, on top.


As for Charlie Hustle -- He should be in the hall. Numbers are the most sacred part of the games history. The man owns, argueably, the most coveted record in the game and I don't see how you can have a hall of fame and simply act as if he just didnt exist. What he did as a manager was clearly wrong and moronic, but he would be in the hall as a PLAYER -- not a manager, not a gambler, not a person -- a player.






lets go yanks!

I agree with everything else you said except for Pete Rose. While not a popular sentiment; your very statement about numbers being the most sacred part of the game's history is why I feel this way. With Pete Rose; who can or will claim to know exactly which of these numbers he may have affected and when? Obviously, Rose will only say that which suits him. Besides, there is precedence for this: the Black Sox scandal of yesteryear. People in this area are still clamoring for "Shoeless" Joe Jackson to be inducted into Cooperstown. Like Rose, I don't believe this will happen.

I see your point about Rose and actually had never looked at it that way. It is a valid arguement, but I still think Rose should be in because of his accomplishments on the field. I think, however, his chances are slim and he definitely will not be above ground to see his name along side the greats. If he is ever allowed in it will be after his death.

And for Shoeless Joe :

The big difference in his case is that he was never proven to be one of the players throwing games. His team sure, but it dosen't take the entire roster to effectivley alter the outcome. Most people believe he had nothing to do with it and that he should be in Cooperstown and I would have to agree.

You are correct about Shoeless Joe. Unfortunately, I don't see MLB reversing a ruling made that many years ago.Like I said; there are many people in my area who would love to see that happen, but I honestly think it just won't happen.

Well, as I post his; Bonds has just surpassed Aaron. I admit to actually feeling sorry for him. The announcers were constantly beating the steroid bush. The true crime to me is that MLB never saw fit to enact a rule many years ago which would have made our differing opinions on what Bonds may or may not have done a moot point.
I have seen several articles which claim to have "absolute proof". If so, how come Bonds was not confronted with this, and not just accusations? If the commisioner is in possession of this "proof", has he just sold out baseball to a marketing bonanza?
There are many whom stated that they would not accept this milestone. That is their business. But I ask this: If they had caught this home run ball just how quickly would ythey have sold out their ideology for what this ball will obviously be worth?
Personally, I can deal with it. I think Bonds still will be forever linked with steroids; but remember that he is the most intentionally walked player to date in history. He may even hold that distinction for all eternity. Who knows how many home runs might he have hit if he was not so feared as a hitter?
Also, please remember that earlier this week Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player ever to reach the 500 homer plateau. I think that whatever we think of Bonds won't matter much in five or six years anyway.
It is MLB that really needs to police itself. This whole mess starts and begins with their inability to do so. That doesn't make it correct; it just creates the possibility of more problems like this- which ultimately will destroy the game itself. While they think "marketing money" they fail to look at the game itself.

I'm glad that you mention that. Over the weekend at the press box, I talked to one of the newsman over the weekend about Bonds. And this morning, Los Angeles's radio station KNX-1070 replayed a question by the fellow to Bonds. Boy, that took guts.

He asked Bonds if the record is tainted, and Bonds calmly replied: "No, it is not tainted ....." Man, that took guts.

Does anyone even watch baseball anymore???

It seems like the game is getting more and more dated. Will baseball last another 100 years?

I went to the Red Sox-Angels game last night, riding the train from San Diego-Anaheim-San Diego.

The HR that Bonds hit was shown on the replay boards, and the crowd booed. Oh well.

I think you are correct, Hev. Nowadays, I hear more and more people are just interested when and if their home team is in the middle of a pennant race. I fear the days of a father just taking his son to a ball game to spend quality time with him may be over. Lately, we can only see the "market bonanza" of any given game on any given day. This seems to be our reasoning for even attending these games now.It's sad to think; but we may just be kicking a dead dog in baseball these days that only gets a bit of a jump start when a milestone is reached and/or surpassed. By the way Hev, how was poker night last night? You didn't take everybody's money , did you? That wouldn't be nice. I will be sending you more and more updates to the tipsheet as time goes on. Please give me any feedback concerning your thoughts and experiences with it.