Bonds and Clemens

What a crazy era we are in for baseball. You have to look back sometimes at the controversies that plagued other eras and recognize that baseball players seem to step into piles of dog doo on a regular basis throughout history.

In year's past it seemed that greed played a big part of it. Players were not really paid that big of a salary in comparison to the money generated by the sport, consequently they were easy targets for bribes and other tactics ala the Black Sox scandal. The character flaws in some of the players were brought to light, never mind their physical skills on a baseball field.

Today's ballplayer, even the lowly rookie, is paid handsomely. So, greed gives way to ego in the 21st century. With so many performance enhancement drugs being developed and the nature of the game, combined with the personalities of players like Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds... it's a mixture sure to blow up in your face.

Look, it's no secret that "man" has been swayed by a host of illicit things... drugs, sex, alcohol.. "man" in the spotlight.. ala famous ballplayer, is no exception. These guys that have character flaws (think lie, cheat, steal) are eventually exposed. They were exposed in the early 1900's and they were exposed in early 2000's and they will be exposed in every century that follows.

The shame of it is that throughout history baseball takes the beating for the individual sins of a few. Especially when those "few" have placed themselves in elite statistical company in the history of the game. The funny thing is .. had they been able to keep their ego in check and not found it necessary to illegally enhance their already blessed skills at the game, both Clemens and Bonds would have stood at the top in the end naturally. And... they would not have been placed in a position to lie through their yellow teeth to you, me, congress and themselves!

Ah, but... the nature of "man" and the nature of the game.. a volatile mix. Say it Ain't so.. Joe.