A TEMPEST IN A PEEPOT

Since there is very little in the world worth reporting, the media has created, as it often does, its own news. It’s called the Barry Bonds circus based on the allegations that he used steroids or other muscle enhancing drugs. The newsmakers are jumping through fiery hoops and walking the high wire mainly because Barry is approaching a couple of sacred home run records. It’s a tempest that’s not worth elevating to a teapot level.

I ask who cares if he used or uses drugs? Which of us—sports writers, fans or other ballplayers—could hit over 700 home runs even with drugs? Remember, Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs after consuming many, many barrels of that drug—alcohol. Some may say he could have hit more home runs if he didn’t drink. I say, maybe the booze enabled him to reach the long-standing 714 record. Also, I don’t recall anyone demanding that the hitting or pitching records of other boozers should be asterisked or that they should not be voted into the Hall of Fame.

So all you guys watching the game at home or sitting in the ballpark and puffing on a weed or finishing off a six pack, cut Barry some slack.