Barry Bonds Goes On Trial, Why Were Steroids Tolerated?

This week marks the opening of the 2011 Major League Baseball season.


For many Americans it's time to root for their favorite teams and their baseball heroes to break records.  For one record breakers Barry Bonds, it's just another week in his trial for perjury.

Bonds who broke the all time home run record in 2007 is accused of lying about an alleged steroids use and obstruction of justice. Bonds testified before a grand jury, saying he was never aware or used performance enhancing drugs. 


The evidence according to many may prove otherwise. Fellow players Jason Giambi, Randy Velarde, associates and Bonds' ex-mistress Kimberly Bell testified they knew about Bonds steroids use. While the prosecution and the defense spar back and forth in court over evidence and perjury counts,  what's the point of this trial?


Is it that Bonds lied, or that steroids were used? Why were P.E.D s ever allowed to be an issue in baseball? Did Bud Selig have any idea of what was going on in the league? Did the league care?


If steroid use was no big deal then, why is there such a fuss about who used now. And if athletes did cheat, does that mean that glory and big bucks are more important than the integrity of the game? Does it mean liars win and that it doesn't pay to be honest?


Nobody but Barry Bonds will ever really know if he used or not. If Bonds did use, then he should he honest about it. If he can't do that, maybe he doesn't deserve any of the records that he holds. 


Do the right thing Barry, tell the truth. Your public awaits.

Despite Barry Bonds ethics, the record will still be there

Despite Barry Bonds lack of ethics, the home run record will still be out there.

Even if they find out that he did juice up with steroids and he is stripped of his record, the record will still have been broken. Why would athletes jeopardize their ethics, careers and bodies for glory?

What does this do the integrity of baseball? What message does Bonds send to youths? That fame, fortune and glory are more important than honesty? That no matter how immoral that a person is, what counts is name recognition? Can baseball recover from Bonds actions?

If baseball is ever going to stay clean they must do a few things. First they have to admit that there is a steroid problem. Second the commissioner should hand out stiffer penalties instead of small fines, some excuse of a suspension and a slap on the wrist. Third, the fans should not put up with players behavior and excuses for their actions.

Maybe then will baseball be clean again.