Barry Bonds & Baseball...Sitting in a Tree

In the court of public opinion, Barry Bonds is guilty. Or is he? He got a lot of votes to get into that game last night. A combination of little kids and morons I presume. Not sure though. That's a lot of little kids and morons with internet access and/or knowledge of the United States postal system (if you even still can mail in ballots).

Baseball should be embarrassed for allowing the All Star game, which was conveniently played in San Francisco, to shine such a bright spotlight on Barry Bonds as if he's done anything for the game that transcends money. Though I suppose I just talked my way through this little paradox. The almighty dollar. Funnier still, however, when you consider that the MLB is simultaneously waging war against the steroids epidemic and holding up its most notorious offender. Bud Selig can ask that an injurred (making baseball no money), and ultimately insignificant to the history of the game, Jason Giambi cooperate with investigators based largely on leaked grand jury testimony but he can't do the same thing with a player on the verge of baseball's fomerly most sacred record. $$$$. Maybe they have less control over Fox's coverage than one would think? Maybe they have none at all. Though I doubt it.

A pregame interview featured Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr., true ambassadors of the game, paired with the "Say Hey Kid". Mays earnestly offered up his admiration for the two of them. How then, does he reconcile these sentiments for two of baseball's modern day icons with his unconditional support of Barry Bonds? My guess: pity and a sense of duty and responsibility. Pity for the inadequate fathering Barry received at the hands of his father, Bobby Bonds, and the enormous asshole that inadequacy created. Duty and responsibility bestowed upon him by his role as surrogate father/ godfather.

Interesting that Willie Mays seems to, judging by the interview with Griffey and Jeter, value things that would combine to create the antithesis of his godson. I can't help but wonder, as he is someone who shared an All-Star outfield with Aaron and garnered a similar multitude of accolades, if this is a subject they've ever stumbled upon over the course of conversation. And if not, why no sportswriter has thrust this conversation upon them. Where's Jim Grey when you need him? He was more than willing to ask uncomfortable questions to players at the All-Star game a few years ago as the Pete Rose scandal sweltered in the mid-summer sun. What's changed? Oh yeah. Pete Rose wasn't raking in money for baseball (he was likely pissing it away at a table in Vegas). He just wanted to get into the hall of fame.

Maybe Barry's right. Perhaps Major League Baseball players really are the fraternity he so eloquently described in his mid-game dugout interview. Judging by last night's festivities, they're more aptly described mutual admiration society.