Back in the Saddle

As we approach a milestone in baseball history, that of the career HR record being broken by Barry Bonds, I tend to wonder why there is so much animosity and negative press/feelings surrounding this. There were negative and racial threats against Hank Aaron back in his day, but those were bigots threatening a black man (albeit a classy and deserving one) for breaking a record of a white man.

No, I wonder why so many people are rooting against Barry and why so many people are "well, he'll break it but we don't have to like it". Then I had an epiphany. It's because he's an asshole.

It's pretty well known that he did steroids, despite the fact that he never tested positive for them. BALCO was probably as advanced in masking them as it was in producing them.
He demeans and gripes incessantly at the media for all this attention.
He's selfish, self-centered, and arrogant.
He's just not a nice guy - or at least his public persona isn't a particularly pleasant one - and we exact our public opinion revenge on him for that.

Mark McGwire was, and is, a really nice guy. He's a diligent father, a good teammate, and a helluva guy. Steroids? Nah, he used andro (which, by the way, enabled this blogger to put on 10 pounds of quality muscle). Our speculation of his steroid use is very mitigated by the simple fact that we really like him.

We don't like Barry Bonds. He suffers in the public opinion poll and this is well earned by the way he interacts with us and the media. So our judgement is especially harsh against him because he has negative faction with his "fans".

Is this necessary? Well, you act like a jerk and you will be treated and judged accordingly. Sorry, but that's the truth.

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10 things that pour forth from my mind this Monday morning...

10. The lifestyle in Oregon is way slower, but easier, than Atlanta, GA.
9. Cobi Jones still sux, even at age 37 he's no more useful than he was at 27.
8. The NHL playoffs are basically going the way of the upper seeds - but so far they've been exciting.
7. Carl Pavano will not last past this season with the Yankees - if he makes it that far.
6. Speaking of the Yankees, their injury-plagued rotation will be their achilles' heel (again).
5. Slot machines blow dog, you win money at the tables.
4. Jackie Robinson's courage and playing ability earns him more respect than you could ever muster.
3. Winning money is way better than earning it.
2. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas - but tell your buddies secretly, cuz it's COOL!
1. I have the most wonderful wife in the world, bar none.