barry mad at hall of fame

[petrel]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Barry Bonds would boycott Cooperstown if the Hall of Fame displays his record-breaking home run ball with an asterisk.

That includes skipping his potential induction ceremony.

"I won't go. I won't be part of it," Bonds said in an interview with MSNBC that aired Thursday night. "You can call me, but I won't be there."

....

So, if the Hall goes through with the asterisk display?

"I will never be in the Hall of Fame. Never," Bonds said. "Barry Bonds will not be there.

"That's my emotions now. That's how I feel now. When I decide to retire five years from now, we'll see where they are at that moment," he added. "We'll see where they are at that time, and maybe I'll reconsider. But it's their position and where their position will be will be the determination of what my decision will be at that time."

Funny, I thought that Bonds didn't care whether or not the ball was displayed. Now he says he'll boycott the Hall of Fame if it's there. (Steroids have been known to cause mood swings -- but of course, there's no proof that Bonds's on steroids.)

I know that some players want to be loved, but the Hall of Fame is a privilege -- not a right. The proper thing for baseball to do is to admit him to the Hall of Fame -- by an agreement that he will only be inducted through a Veterans' Committee vote, after the day he dies.

Which would be the ultimate punishment for an insane narcissist like Bonds. His pre-steroid accomplishments would be honored, but the attention would be stripped from him. That's the problem with love, Mr. Bonds -- you can't demand it on your own terms.

--Pet

[ohms_law]

Can you really blame him about this, though? He's in an absolutely no win situation. He can't go saying that he doesn't want the ball displayed. On the other hand, how is he supposed to show up for an event where he's basically being ridiculed?
Granted, most of this is his own fault. Like you said, he is a narcissist. I just can't be angry at Bonds any longer, is all.

[robinhoodnik]

Problem solved Mr. Selig!

[RickD]

I was against defacing this piece of history but if it keeps Barry out of the Hall....let's vote the ball into the HOF and Barry out!

[HoustonGM]

So a ball with an asterisk designating that it was hit by a player who probably did steroids is better to have in the Hall than one of the best players in baseball history?

I'm actually getting antsy for that Mitchell Report release. I'm sure there's going to be multiple future Hall of Famers on the list of probable steroid users. Are we then going to just lock the Hall off to everybody from this era? The fact is that steroid use was rampant, and little was done about it. We can't just erase it from history, as much as we may like too.

[JayC]

From later in that same article:

Hall president Dale Petroskey has said accepting the ball doesn't mean the museum endorses the viewpoint that Bonds used illegal substances. He said the museum would be "delighted" to have the ball.

"It's a historic piece of baseball history," Petroskey said in September.


When you think about it, the whole "asterisk" controversy is a part of baseball history. A ball with an asterisk on it probably should be put on display at the Hall museum.

[HoustonGM]

I suppose I don't have a problem with putting something in the Hall that documents the "asterisk" controversy, but I can't agree with defacing one of the most historic home run balls.

[RickD]

So a ball with an asterisk designating that it was hit by a player who probably did steroids is better to have in the Hall than one of the best players in baseball history?

I was making a joke.

I was against defacing this piece of history but if it keeps Barry out of the Hall....let's vote the ball into the HOF and Barry out!

It was an attempt at humor....note I said I was against the defacing then led into the joke.

[HoustonGM]

Sometimes, it's hard to come across as joking on the internet. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[michaelg123789]

I actually have to agree with Bonds in this case.

[RickD]

Sometimes, it's hard to come across as joking on the internet. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

No Problem. I just wanted to clarify before it got to far gone. Next time I will use a smiley face or a wink or something.

[RickD]

I actually have to agree with Bonds in this case.

Well I would be ticked if I was him as well. However I am not a bonds fan and that really has nothing to do with his alleged/supposed/probable (use whatever word you like) steroid use but the fact his attitude has stunk for years and I just never cared for it. Hence I have never really liked the guy.

[ohms_law]

That's the way I feel too. As a person, Barry Bonds sucks. As a ball player though, he belongs in the Hall...

[robinhoodnik]

Well I would be ticked if I was him as well. However I am not a bonds fan and that really has nothing to do with his alleged/supposed/probable (use whatever word you like) steroid use but the fact his attitude has stunk for years and I just never cared for it. Hence I have never really liked the guy.

To paraphrase Yogi Berra, If people don't want to go to the hall of fame, how're you gonna stop 'em?

[fraquar]

Can't wait to see the look on the guy who gets commissioned to recreate a lifesize bust of Bonds....

Hey Barry - you can't get in the Hall for at least 5 years even if you hang'em up today - and ALOT can happen in 5 years.....

Worry about the Hall when you're eligible - and not before then.....