How would you feel...

[Astro]

How would you feel if you worked out day in and day out, you busted your ass everyday and then when you start to do well and all of your hard work pays off you get asked 1,000,000 questions about: "Did you take steroids?"

Now I'm not saying Bonds, or any other of the players accused of using steroids, didnt do it... but I'm sure that some of the ones who are accused actually didnt use them and worked hard...

How would you feel if all of your hard work was put aside as, "Just another 'roid head" and everyone badgered you day in and day out?

I'd be pissed off, I don't blame Bonds for tearing into the reporters because they ask the same stuff OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER.

Before you go off accusing anyone who hits over 30 HRs of using steroids, think before you do it.

[Hammerin Hank]

I don't care. I'd ask him every day myself as long as he doesn't get tested. And if he did get tested everyone would shutup and he wouldn't be bothered, would he?

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Hammerin Hank

I don't care. I'd ask him every day myself as long as he doesn't get tested. And if he did get tested everyone would shutup and he wouldn't be bothered, would he?

I believe he has taken tests, and passed every one of them, no?

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Astro

How would you feel if you worked out day in and day out, you busted your ass everyday and then when you start to do well and all of your hard work pays off you get asked 1,000,000 questions about: "Did you take steroids?"

Now I'm not saying Bonds, or any other of the players accused of using steroids, didnt do it... but I'm sure that some of the ones who are accused actually didnt use them and worked hard...

How would you feel if all of your hard work was put aside as, "Just another 'roid head" and everyone badgered you day in and day out?

I'd be pissed off, I don't blame Bonds for tearing into the reporters because they ask the same stuff OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER.

Before you go off accusing anyone who hits over 30 HRs of using steroids, think before you do it.

It would get old after a while to tell you the truth. But I've been in those shoes, after training extremely hard during this offseason and offseasons in the past. Guys have hinted that people think I took roids. That was the ULTIMATE compliment.

[Hammerin Hank]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

I believe he has taken tests, and passed every one of them, no?

That can't be accurate.

[RuthMayBond]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

It would get old after a while to tell you the truth. But I've been in those shoes, after training extremely hard during this offseason and offseasons in the past. Guys have hinted that people think I took roids. That was the ULTIMATE compliment.

Woo hoo, HG's gonna bust out with 40 dingers

[RuthMayBond]

Originally Posted by Hammerin Hank

That can't be accurate.

Based upon . . .

[Hammerin Hank]

Based upon all the controversy surrounding the issue. Unless the media for some reason wouldn't believe those tests results.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by RuthMayBond

Woo hoo, HG's gonna bust out with 40 dingers

If I do that, look for me in a Major League park near you

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Hammerin Hank

That can't be accurate.

West Coast would know.

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by RuthMayBond

Woo hoo, HG's gonna bust out with 40 dingers

Originally Posted by hiddengem

If I do that, look for me in a Major League park near you

Yeah, but how would we find the ball?

Seriously, if Bonds were tested, the MLBPA would probably fight against it. Now they seem to realize that w/o any tests, the game is tarnished. Seems pretty strange that someone can claim to be clean, yet their union vehemently fights against any tests to confirm this. The union should've done a lot more in terms of testing to confirm any questions a long time ago.

I hear that Lance Armstrong is one of the most tested athletes around, yet he gets asks questions about doping and other no-nos.

[Hammerin Hank]

Originally Posted by Mattingly

I hear that Lance Armstrong is one of the most tested athletes around, yet he gets asks questions about doping and other no-nos.

This is true. He gets tested between every stage in the Tour de France and after passing every time the European media writes about how he has to be on something.

[NickG]

Everyone is being tested -- to expect one player to do it publicly without requiring the same for every other player is unfair, no matter who the player is.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Hammerin Hank

That can't be accurate.

Barry was tested last September and tested negative.

[west coast orange and black]

Originally Posted by Hammerin Hank

That can't be accurate.

bb was tested last season. i read it on the internet.

[west coast orange and black]

Originally Posted by hiddengem:
I believe he has taken tests, and passed every one of them, no?

Originally Posted by Hammerin Hank

That can't be accurate.

yes, it is, hammerman.

[Hammerin Hank]

Then I can't believe he's receiving so much heat over this issue.

[west coast orange and black]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

West Coast would know.

bonds was tested last september. i read it on the internet... and in the sf chronicle... and espn.com...

seriously, bonds was tested on friday, 24 sept, before the night game against the hated dodgers.
(bonds went 1/3 with a solo shot off odalis perez that night
#44 of the season and #702 career... but the giants lost )

[sandlot]

Armstrong has been tested innumerable times. Marion Jones has been tested 57 times and counting. Never a positive. But, c'mon, let's remember what got much of this current brouhaha going -- it was the revelation that Balco (and presumably others) have been producing undetectable PED's. If they've truly been undetectable, what's the use of arguing about testing or results?

BTW, I had a long talk with a top sports physician, and he was adamant that no amount of steroids, HGH, etc., would assist a player in making contact with a baseball. Yes, more strength, and yes, possibly added quickness if coupled with appropriate training, but he insisted that the ultimate determinant was neither of these things: It's hand-eye co-ordination, and he says you've either got that, and the discipline to apply it, or you don't. Drugs just won't help. This guy is very respected, has zero connection to professional baseball and is himself a weightlifter. He also has a very interesting and fresh view on this controversy that I'm going to ask him to write up so that I can post it.

[Monarchs29]

There's never been any doubt that Bonds has terrific hand-eye coordination, he's proven that from the get-go. The 'Roids improves bat speed and strength.

I just have to wonder, how many of those HR's would have been warning-track, fly-ball outs, if he hadn't been using?

Sure, I'd give him some of the HR's he's hit over the past 3-4-5 years, but that would be mainly because of the short porch in RF at SBC Park. But, there's no way he'd be closing in on Aaron. In fact, I have doubts he'd be closing in on Uncle Willie.

Originally Posted by sandlot

BTW, I had a long talk with a top sports physician, and he was adamant that no amount of steroids, HGH, etc., would assist a player in making contact with a baseball. Yes, more strength, and yes, possibly added quickness if coupled with appropriate training, but he insisted that the ultimate determinant was neither of these things: It's hand-eye co-ordination, and he says you've either got that, and the discipline to apply it, or you don't. Drugs just won't help. This guy is very respected, has zero connection to professional baseball and is himself a weightlifter. He also has a very interesting and fresh view on this controversy that I'm going to ask him to write up so that I can post it.

Let's assume your sports physician is correct...that it all boils down to hand-eye coordination.

Just consider this:

From 1986 thru 1992, Bonds hit a home run every 20 AB.

From age 28-34 (from '93-'99) -- normally the prime of a player's career -- his HR frequency was one for every 13 AB -- a 35% improvement.

But Barry doesn't stop there. From 2000-2004...at ages 35-39... he has hit a HR once every 8 AB...a 40% improvement.

Normal human beings slow down with age. Eyesight dims. Reflexes are slower.

But not Barry.

I just don't find it reasonable that he can defy the laws of nature and have that skill improve with age.

[bbjunkie]

Originally Posted by sandlot

BTW, I had a long talk with a top sports physician, and he was adamant that no amount of steroids, HGH, etc., would assist a player in making contact with a baseball. Yes, more strength, and yes, possibly added quickness if coupled with appropriate training, but he insisted that the ultimate determinant was neither of these things: It's hand-eye co-ordination, and he says you've either got that, and the discipline to apply it, or you don't. Drugs just won't help. This guy is very respected, has zero connection to professional baseball and is himself a weightlifter. He also has a very interesting and fresh view on this controversy that I'm going to ask him to write up so that I can post it.

No one has questioned Bonds' hand-eye coordination, work ethic or good genes. He would probably be a good hitter if he conducted his life the way the Babe did. But, there is reason to be skeptical of his hr proficiency and bulking up in the past few years.

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by sandlot

BTW, I had a long talk with a top sports physician, and he was adamant that no amount of steroids, HGH, etc., would assist a player in making contact with a baseball. Yes, more strength, and yes, possibly added quickness if coupled with appropriate training, but he insisted that the ultimate determinant was neither of these things: It's hand-eye co-ordination, and he says you've either got that, and the discipline to apply it, or you don't. Drugs just won't help. This guy is very respected, has zero connection to professional baseball and is himself a weightlifter. He also has a very interesting and fresh view on this controversy that I'm going to ask him to write up so that I can post it.

I think that with PED's, they're supposed to reduce the downtime from injuries and help to build up the muscular content. That lack of bodyfat is probably why bodybuilders like Schwarzenegger and the Soviet Olympic Weightlifters were always accused of this. For the former, it was greater muscle mass; for the latter, brute strength, since they often lifted 500lbs+ in the "clean & jerk" some 25-30 years ago.

As to baseball, a truckload of steroids--enough to make me wired enough to light up a small community and glow like a neon light--I'd 100% agree that if you don't have the hand-eye coordination, nor for that matter, know how to hit the ball where the fielders aren't--you're not doing much damage offensively. However, for someone who's already excelled at this, it could certainly make a great thing into an excellent one. I would say that's the "Side B" to those who claim that the PEDs, in and of themselves, don't add anything to one's baseball abilities.

As to your doc, is he a bodybuilder, powerlifter (squat, bench, deadlift) or Olympic weightlifter (snatch, clean & jerk)?

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

Barry was tested last September and tested negative.

When and where? I must've missed this. Did the union object? Any links, I'd greatly appreciate it, as I'm sure would others.

[CyNotSoYoung]

I may not like Bonds as a person but that doesn't matter. He's payed to play baseball and entertain the fans and he does that. I know it happens all the time, but I am tired of people being tried and found guilty in the court of public opinion. The fact is that none of us knows for sure what Bonds has or hasn't done as far as steroids and if I was in Bonds shoes I'd be angry about being declared guilty without benefit of a trial.