Major LeagueBaseball should not permit a marred asterisked ball of Barry Bond's record setting home run in the Hall of Fame - it is vigilante justice
Larry B said 09/27, 07:47 AM
Bud Seling and the Baseball Hall of Fame should not let the Barry Bond's ball into the Hall of Fame unofficially defamed and marred as it is. It is an insult to Barry and his record, and this is not the way to handle it. Despite the evidence and the controversy, MLB has never disciplined Barry Bonds for steroid use. MLB has never suspended him, and he has never tested positive for any drugs under the MLB drug testing program. The evidence against Barry is based largely on illegally leaked grand jury evidence. Now there is an irony - someone breaks the law to serve baseball justice for all. This is vigilante justice of the worst kind and MLB should not play any part in it. There is a racist element to all of this, but I do not need to go there to make this point. This is indeed a sad day for baseball where MLB, Bud Selig, and the Baseball Hall of Fame lost control to the mob. While many fans will say it is deserved, the way this is being handled is horrendous. If MLB is unable or unwilling to take an official stand on the Bond's record, then to have some idiot millionaire get a few yucks by defaming the ball and then to put that ball on display is a mockery of the game and the HOF
Devon Edwards said 09/27, 08:14 AM
You can't seriously doubt that Barry Bonds used steroids. To the vast majority of BASEBALL fans, Marc Ecko is a genius.
First of all, the HoF will accept the ball because, even branded, it still is the most significant HR, arguably, in the history of baseball. #757 carries value, even if branded.
But look, Bonds did use steroids. This isn't even arguable. I don't really care if grand jury testimony was leaked, because it helped us arrive at the truth. Baseball has made strides to curb performance enhancing drugs. This era will forever be the steroid era
Larry B said 09/27, 08:21 AM
Ah yes I see your argument - and it is off base like the mob. Two flaws in your thinking:
1 - You say the ends justify the means - you do not care if the law was broken and secret grand jury testimony leaked.
2 - You jump the gun like everyone else - I never claimed that Bonds did nout use steroids - that is bnot the issue. The issue is one of protocol and MLB rules....and of an dangerous precedent
Consider this scenario. After a long illustrious career, Derek Jeter hits a 2 out ninth inning HR to win the world series in Game 7. An anti-Yankee fan catches the historic ball and returns it for the HOF ??? but inscribed on the ball is ???Yankees Suck??? as the Bonds incident has now produced a horde of copy cat vigilantes
Devon Edwards said 09/27, 08:31 AM
There's no necesity for the HoF to take that hypothetical HR. Baseball really needs to take this ball or else they're saying something much worse than "we'll take an asterisked ball." They're saying the ball has no value.
MLB is trying very, very hard to put the steroid era in the past. Of course it's hard to do, but they're trying their best. Harsh suspensions and Senatorial investigations prove their mettle. Even Mark McGwire was denied HoF entry by the BBWAA on the SUSPICION of Steroid use.
Larry B said 09/27, 10:35 AM
Just the opposite is true By taking the ball as is they consent to its marking and therefore the asterisk. And your point is on the money on Maguire but it proves my point not yours If they deny Maguire the HOF based on suspicion, then they should deny the "ball" admission as well. MLB is in a real sticky situation for sure, But, you do not accept a ball to supposedly honor Barry that really dishonors his accomplishment. Perhaps the HOF could imprint something over the asterisk ..or better still, they could afix the ball in some sort of stand and have the ball permanently glued to the stand in a way the permanently hides the asterisk..it would be a fitting treatment to ???sweep the steroid??? issue under the rug forever and still have the ball
Devon Edwards said 09/27, 11:56 AM
Marc Ecko bought the ball. Marc Ecko is the sole possessor of this ball. He could do whatever he wants to with the ball. He offered the ball to the Hall of Fame. The fact that it is branded with an asterisk is completely fitting. Barry Bonds record will forever be marred by the "allegations" of steroid use.
I would hate to bring my kids to the Hall of Fame (someday, I'm just 16) and show them a baseball which celebrates a cheater. An asterisk is perfectly fitting. Having the ball in the HoF serves a purpose, so does having the *
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Comments (33)
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stecky: pirate hooker | 09/27/07, 08:37 AM
Report Offensive CommentHow come the HOF would take a ball that convicts Bonds of a action that Baseball has not punished him for? I think this is rediculous because if he is so guilty and should have his whole career tainted why hasn't baseball done anything about it. Selig doesn't like him so if he had the chance and ability to do something to him he would. I just think it is unfair for a small group of fans taking an issue into their owns hands when it is not their job or responsibility to do so. It underminds the actions of MLB. I agree that if he did something and they had all the proof to do it then they should. They haven't done anything so there must be more to it. All this stunt is going to do 20 years down the road is going to make this millionaire and the people look like idiots after ruining a piece of baseball history. The fact is if the record will stand as the new record don't make up stuff to devalue it because by the league's actions they have supported it's validity.
Just A Fan | 09/27/07, 08:58 AM
Report Offensive CommentLarry's got a great point. Why should baseball put that ball in a glass case after it's been marred? That point has nothing to do with whether Barry did Barroids.
chalklounge #10 | 09/27/07, 09:15 AM
Report Offensive CommentLarry B, is completely right, this is vigilante justice at hits worst.
Why not just send out a clan and hang the poor guy.
Lana | 09/27/07, 09:27 AM
Report Offensive CommentMLB does not own the Hall of Fame. It is a separate entity and go do what it wants.
rstowe - The NMI Emperor | 09/27/07, 09:39 AM
Report Offensive CommentMy final argument and then I have to hit the road on a 3 day trip - and I leave this in the hands of the Fannation faithful ----
I think the HOF should accept those memorabilia and artifacts of the game that honor the game, its players, and their accomplishments. It should NOT be used as a social platform for individuals to make some sort of political or moral statement or judgement. It is too bad that some quack media oriented millionarie has decided to play HOF God in this matter. Let's not just take the ball and say thank you and unoficially dishonor a great accomplishment. To accept a thid party's defamantion on a HR ball as a supposed tribute to Barry Bonds just turns my stomach. I want the ball for its historic significance and to remember Barry, but not like this.
Perhaps some thoughtful fan on Fannation (lana?) can start a new thought out TD or blog and ask Fannation how to find our way out of a * situation *
See ya Monday night all ---- and see you Lana Monday night on here as we can both see just how good that Pats D really is after facing off against CP and CJ... :)
And I am giving myself a gold star for writing a TD and comments without slandering anybody here :)
Larry B | 09/27/07, 10:44 AM
Report Offensive Commentwhoever catches the ball owns the ball...if he wants to paint it pink then give it to a homeless man he can. If he wants to put an asterick on the ball then good i hope barry goes and looks at that asterick and known deep down he is a cheat
Spak- Appy state is victim 1 | 09/27/07, 10:51 AM
Report Offensive CommentLarry < You get 3 arguments... if you can't make your point than you have a problem. Don't use the comments area for arguments. I will not even read what you have wrote and neither should voters.
Evil Tiger... What'd I miss? | 09/27/07, 10:59 AM
Report Offensive CommentLana I could care less whether you read the comments or the TD
And in the very very few TD's I have been in, the comments section is freely used by both parties ---- even the SI writers use it when they do a TD together --
Lana I am not trying to win anything here and I do not care about TD results I am just putting forth thoughts, having some fun ,and enjoying life If you must play in some structured sand box to ejoy yourself, then go to another TD Mom
Have a nice day
Chad Johnson will be shut down Monday night and Carson will be picked 3 times and sacked 5 Pats by 20 points whoooo whoooo whooo
Larry B | 09/27/07, 11:22 AM
Report Offensive CommentLarry , you made a mistake it was not Lana , it was evil tiger that made that statement that she would not read your comment. Lana is for you in this topic and i agree with you too. The hall of frame must like controversy to take the baseball with something on it. The best and right thing for the hall of frame to do would take the baseball with nothing on it or reject that baseball. but the hall of frame what a piece of histiory no matter how they got it or they are just being greedy . May be real soon the hall of frame will become the hall of shame . some people will say my having anything to do with barry bonds make the hall of frame the hall of shame . That maybe true but everbody in the hall of frame did something wrong in their life to put them in a hall of shame
AMAZING GRACE | 09/27/07, 11:40 AM
Report Offensive CommentThe asterisked Ball doesn't convict him....it just shows the opinion of the majority of fans. I'm not saying it was a good idea to brand it with an asterisk, I think its kinda immature. The ball is a part of baseball history, for better or worse. If the hall wants to display it, I don't see why they shouldn't.
MillerTime30: Go Cubbies! | 09/27/07, 11:53 AM
Report Offensive CommentThen again, I also think Pete Rose should bei n the HOF.
MillerTime30: Go Cubbies! | 09/27/07, 11:53 AM
Report Offensive CommentI completely agree that Ecko can do whatever he wants to HIS ball. However, I guess I'm idealistic in thinking that the HoF would be above all of all of the hoopla surrounding the Bonds situation and use a higher standard of discretion with what they accept. It is called the Hall of "Fame" not the Hall of "Shame." Let pretty boy Ecko brand it and keep that now worthless ball in his own home.
BigGUW | 09/27/07, 12:43 PM
Report Offensive CommentPerhaps you don't know this, but the Baseball Hall of Fame does not answer to Bud Selig, or anyone else associated with Major League Baseball. They are privately owned, and independently operated. Selig has no say, and neither do any of you.
Gruden crushes poker tables | 09/27/07, 01:16 PM
Report Offensive CommentI agree with Ecko. Bonds will forever be "The Guy who had to use Roids" so why not the Baseball going into the HoF not be marked as well? Screw Bonds. Go Cubs!
SoonerMagic08 | 09/27/07, 01:24 PM
Report Offensive CommentAG is right. Lana agreed with you.
If MLB wants to test players from now on and be very specific about what substances are banned then nobody will have to worry about any asterisk.
I suspect Barry is partly snubbed because of his personality.
Make rules, follow them and then have a legal leg to stand on and clear cut penalties.
Otherwise the ball belongs in the HOF untainted.
DC#44 | 09/27/07, 01:50 PM
Report Offensive CommentThe Hall was going to accept it no matter how it's branded or "defaced". Without significant memorabilia, they have no reason to exist. The HOF is a museum of second-hand baseball equipment.
The asterisk says "this is what a lot of people think of Barry Bonds in 2007", which makes it an interesting piece of cultural art. The problem is that it will probably tell a lot of future visitors "Barry Bonds is a cheater", which is unproven.
But that's the difference between an artifact and art. This ball now has an opinion of current events, and always will.
Yankee64 | 09/27/07, 01:53 PM
Report Offensive CommentBTW, anyone going to put an asterisk on any of the Patriots recent Super Bowl balls in Canton? I mean, we KNOW Belichick cheated, right?
Oh, yeah. That's different. I just can't remember why.
Yankee64 | 09/27/07, 01:55 PM
Report Offensive CommentI agree with SoonerMagic. I have his RC and he did something to get that big. GO CUBS!
mchappy71 | 09/27/07, 02:10 PM
Report Offensive CommentHe isn't saying "ends justifies the means", what he is saying..the information is now out there so what are you going to do? Conveniently ignore it?
Your other option is the ball is destroyed and that is that. Fact of the matter is, the ball is that guy's personal property. He can give it to his dog as a chew toy if he so chooses.
Hall of fame is lucky to get it.
Kdawg | 09/27/07, 04:37 PM
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