Today Barry Bonds was re-indicted, 14 counts of perjury and obstruction. It seems Bond's problems are never ending.
Is Bonds a legitimate single season home run king of major league baseball. Until he is convicted or admits to using steriods, yes he is. But is he really the sultan of swat?
For the time being, we suggest there be an asterisk attached to his name, saying his claim is under dispute. He is innocent till proven guilty, so his name does belong even though his record is under scrutiny.
If not Barry Bonds, then who should be given the record of hitting the most home runs in a single season, Mark McGwire? Certainly Mark is an acceptable candidate, however he does admit to taking some form of growth stimulants.
Should the record be given to Mark McGwire then perhaps he too should be an asterisk after his name, noting his use of growth enhancers.
Who does that leave us, Slammin Sammy Sosa? The man caught using a corked bat? Sammy has also been the target of steroid allegations.
If Barry Bonds’s record is taken from the books, it would fall to Mark McGwire, if he was proven to have used steroids, then the record would fall to Sammy Sosa.
Regardless of which of the three are given that dubious distinction of hitting the most home runs in a single season, there should be an asterisk behind the name.
It is our opinion that the single season home run record with out an asterisk should belong to the one man who undeservedly had the asterisk for over 2 decades attached to his effort. Roger Maris, who in the summer of 61, hit 61 home runs, breaking the Sultan of Swat Babe Ruth’s record.
Granted Roger had and edge others did not, batting behind him was the great Mickey Mantle. Pitchers had to pitch to Maris. Was it and advantage? Absolutely but it was a legal and fair edge. Instead of walking Maris they had to pitch to him, try to get him out.
The home run race of 61 was as epoch a race and put on by Sosa and Mark. Mantle wore out and surrendered the race to Roger Maris.
We believe the commissioner of baseball owes it to the fans and the Maris family to set the record straight, placing the cursed asterisk that Maris suffered behind who ever has their name in front of Roger and state till the record of 61 is broken fairly, the record remains with Roger Maris.
