Baseball HOF debate

by user MetsJetsDevils

The article about Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco got me thinking about the Hall of Fame. In my opinion neither Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, or any other roid head belongs in the Hall of Fame. They are not superior athletes but steroid induced machines. Their statistics are not a result of their ability, but the result of chemical inducements. Nothing destroys the integrity of the game more than performance enhancing drugs. There is no question in my mind that Pete Rose, on the other hand, does belong in the Hall. While gambling on baseball is a reprehensible act, he did that as a manager, not as a player. Every statistic he had he earned through talent and heart. Every statistic gained by Bonds and his merry band of roid ragers was earned in a chemical lab somewhere in california or South America. Here's one vote for "Charlie Hustle" for the Hall and a no vote for "Barry Fake Muscle."

Date

Sun 03/12/06, 10:54 am EST <pageTools></pageTools>

PeanMajor Leaguer

1357 days ago

Score 0

so what about every other player who played during the "Steroids era". Just because they haven't been caught, should we look at their stats from a different perspective?

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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick

1357 days ago

Score -1

Well, I think you have to. I mean Babe Ruth was an amazing player but you have to discount his stats because he was not playing against all the best players of his day and age because of segregation. Sterois are a little harder because we don't know the full extent of it yet. I would think at the least that players with which there exists conclusive evidence of their steroid use like Canseco, Bonds or McGwire should be banned from the Hall lest you make Cooperstown a joke.

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PeanMajor Leaguer

1357 days ago

Score 0

people are starting to say that Roger Maris still holds the HR record

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Patrickburke1980All-American

1357 days ago

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nothing will change...people will just remember 1995 - 2003 as the 'steroid era'

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

1357 days ago

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just lop 20% off all HR totals in that era to compare with other eras...if so Bonds and McGwire still reach HOF consideration. remember, baseball supposedly knew exactly what Mac was using and said nothing

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Bball3345Draft Pick

1356 days ago

Score 0

The earliest anyone can date Bonds' steroid use back to is 1998. I guess that goes along with the change in his body as well. So this means we have from 1986-1997 to decide if he was worthy of the Hall. Well, by that time he had 3 MVPs(and a 2nd place in 1991), had a season high of .677 SLG with 3 other .600 seasons, 8 consecutive seasons with a .400 OBP, over 400 SBs, 7 Gold Gloves, 3 seasons with the best HR/AB. It seems to be he was a Hall of Famer before he became a "steroid induced machine."

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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick

1356 days ago

Score 0

Then why did he feel the need to cheat? And if Pete Rose's betting on baseball after his playing career ended ruined his playing statistics, wouldn't Bonds cheating for the last 8 years also tarnish his chances at the Hall?

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Bball3345Draft Pick

1356 days ago

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I can answer the question as to why he cheated. In 1998, McGwire and Sosa came onto the scene. They were inferior hitters to Bonds that were using steroids to take all the limelight. Bonds knew he was better than them so he tried to level the playing field by using steroids himself. When he leveled it, he rose to a whole new level. This question has been asked before in spite of what you said and this is the consensus answer.

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Sportkrank21

1354 days ago

Score 0

I also believe that Pete Rose should enter the Hall...the day after he passes away!!!!

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