BASEBALLS THIRD STRIKE - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

I very seldom drift from political news and commentary but this particular post though not directly dealing with politics in Washington does deal with a part of Americana and the politics of sports. Baseball was always known as America's past time. Everyone from Presidents to the common Joe who worked for hireling wages could relax at the ballpark or by the radio and in more recent times the television and enjoy his favorite team dook it out with their arch rival or another team from their division or league in the quest for the pennant and the ultimate prize in October, The World Series. The names throughout baseballs history are known to us from childhood almost as much as those heroes who shaped our nations history. Ruth, Gherig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Mays, Robinson, Ryan, Bench, Aaron and so many others that brought wide eyed delight to thousands of kids as they performed their feats of baseball magic on the field. As adults we would share that wide eyed delight reminding us of our childhood and even forgetting about the problems and daily grind at home as we gathered together with friends and family to celebrate Americas past time smell the leather of the glove, cheer with the crack of the bat and look with awe at the acrobatics in the field as a player would snag a ball in the infield to throw a runner out at first or the elegant acrobatics in the outfield as a ball was snagged from mid air before it went over the wall. Oh and when it would go over that wall, dads, sons, moms and daughters would all rise in unison to cheer the gladiator with the mighty bat as he rounded the bases for his four bagger and triumphantly crossed home plate. Now the quest for the magic number which so few have reached, the great sluggers who lead the history of baseball in home runs threatens to tarnish this past time forever. Baseballs first strike came from the greed that brought about the ridiculously high multi million dollar contracts that made a day at the ballpark cost more than a trip to the grocery store to feed the family for the month. The second strike came when the players complained about their salaries that most of us would love to have and went on strike ending the 1994 season before the , "Fall Classic, " was even decided. The third strike is taking place today. Baseball recovered from the first two strikes though losing it status as the national past time to football. This strike may bring damage that could tarnish baseball forever.

The third strike is steroids. Especially the controversy surrounding San Francisco Giants player Barry Bonds and his quest for baseballs ultimate prize for a hitter: the Home Run record. Those who have earned their way into this elite group of players are a Who's, Who of baseball. "Hammerin" Hank Aaron, The Babe, Willie Mays, Frank Robinson, Reggie Jackson and Mickey Mantle. Barry Bonds is currently number three on that list and is threatening the second spot which belongs to one who many consider to be the greatest baseball player of all time George Herman, "Babe," Ruth. There are other players on the list whose home runs are in question because of steroids but Bonds has risen in the ranks to become one who now has the possibility of breaking the record and most certainly pass the Babe. I am a baseball purist and the thought of Bonds being in this elite group in the way that he is sickens me. When he passed his Godfather, Willie Mays at 660 he should have been on his knees begging forgiveness. To his credit, Bonds is a great player and without steroids would have been in the Hall of Fame with statistics that place him among the best to have ever played the game. This though was not good enough for him. His jealousy and arrogance brought about use of enhancements, though he denies the use, and now he threatens the record. His physical appearance and his statistics since 1999 show the truth despite his denials. Had he continued on the track he was on before steroids Bonds still would have been number four on the home run list with 593 with more games to play which in itself would have been a tremendous accomplishment.

How then will this be baseballs third strike ? Never again will baseball and its records seem the, "stuff dreams are made from." If one is allowed to cheat in order to achieve his goal then how can this sport be taken seriously again. Yes, there is cheating in the business and political world and the ramifications of both are far more serious than this baseball scandal. The difference is that baseball is a relaxation and enjoyment which is supposed to relieve us of the problems that we find in our work and our government. Baseball is supposed to make us forget the news headlines and just enjoy even for a brief moment getting away from our troubles. Now baseball thanks to Bonds and others, but he is the center of the controversy, IS the headline. Now when we view it on television the announcer brings up the controversy. When we enter a ball park and watch the ball fly over the fence our thoughts now question whether the hit was true talent or enhanced by a drug. We try to forget through baseball Washington scandals and now a former Senator is holding hearings to get to the bottom of the scandal. Personally I believe that Bonds should be suspended until the hearings are complete so as not to pass Ruth to leave the question of whether he earned the place in baseball history or enhanced it. I don't think that will happen because he is so close. As of this writing he stands at 708 only six behind the Bambinos 714. Will this end baseball ? No. Fans will still pay the price of admission and buy hot dogs and peanuts. Games will still be broadcast and the winner of the World Series will still get a parade in their honor, but baseball will never be the same. The awe we have had at the sheer talent of the players will always be in question and nothing will bring the joy and relaxation that it once did. Strike three, "yoooou're out!"

Ken Taylor