Bonds or Clemens? Who Will play in 2008?

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are two people that changed the sport of baseball forever.  One might look at this statement and say, “Of course they did.  Bonds took down the most prestigious records in baseball by hitting more dingers than good Old Hank.  He has given the sport more publicity and has made it more popular.  Clemens is a superhero for all of us.  A man whose career was falling apart, quickly changed turned it around and showed the 40’s were the new 20’s.  With all those Cy Young’s, he is one of the best pitchers in history.”  I would tell you, “Nope, that isn’t how they changed it.  That is how they ruined the sport.”  You would then look at me funny and walk away.  Go ahead, walk away from the truth.  The truth is these men have tainted this sport and have embarrassed the players in the generation before them.

           Barry Bonds would have never created all of those moon rocket shots off his bat if it weren’t from a little help from his dear friend Mr. Steroid and its brother HGH.  Some may argue that neither do not really do anything to help benefit an athlete.  That is where you are wrong.  Quickly, let’s look at the remarkable story of Rick Ankiel.  Here is a man who use to pitch in majors and at one point threw four straight balls at the back stop against the Chicago Cubs.  Ankiel started to have a tear on his elbow.  He was going to have the Tommy John surgery.  So he decided he needed to take some magic potion A.K.A. HGH to make his arm reattach to his elbow and have it heal quicker.  (Sounds like someone we know.  Dare I say Andy Pettite) He then decides to switch to the outfield position where he found his hitting stroke and his career was rejuvenated.   Even if HGH did not help him, it is just the fact that he took it hurts all credibility of a good player he actually is.  That is where Bonds comes in.  Even if steroids and HGH did not help Bonds, it is just knowing that he took it hurts all the accomplishments he has achieved.  It makes you think what his career would be like without taking all that stuff.  I know he wouldn’t be where he is today.

           Now we got Clemens.  Here is a man who many thought his career was over and done when he was in his 30’s because he was not dominant anymore.  Then, enter Old Mac, pitty wack, gave Clemens some Roids.  And there was a revelation.  It was like Clemens was reborn.  He became an inspirational story for everyone across the nation.  He just kept on getting better.  It was unheard of, especially with someone winning a Cy Young in their 40’s.  There was no stopping him.  UNLESS you are the Supreme Court.  When allegations against Clemens came out, his whole career was called a sham.  People thought he lied to them and felt like they were cheated.  Evidence against Clemens was so strong, it was hard to believe him.  He was suppose to the one to show that he did it the clean way and how you still can play in your 40’s.  He was supposed to be the opposite of Barry Bonds.  How wrong we were when we found out they were exactly alike.    

           Everything they’ve done is now looked under a microscope because it is hard to believe they would have achieved anything without the help of these drugs.  They were supposed to set an example for kids.  They were supposed to be role models.  They came up real short.

           Now, here comes the real question, if any of them were to play this season, which one would it be?  The truth is neither will probably ever play again.  I wouldn’t be bothered by that.  But which one would have a better chance of returning?  When I look at Bonds, I do not really see any means of him returning at all.  He has already broken Hank Aaron’s record, so there really isn’t anything else for him to accomplish.  There is one thing Clemens has the Bonds does not: a World Series Ring.  There is still that taste in Bonds mouth for a chance of winning it all.  He did smell the roses in 2002, but his team collapsed the final two games in the World Series against the Angels.   He might be old and hurt, but I know he still wants that chance to win the World Series.  Where will he play?  He has to play in the California area because anywhere else he will be booed out of the town.  If he were to come back, I see him playing as a DH for the Oakland A’s.  But there isn’t really a chance of him winning the World Series there.  Therefore I see Barry Bonds not playing baseball this season or most likely, ever again.

           Clemens in my minds has more to prove than Bonds.  Even though he has the rings and awards, he still has unfinished business.  With his ongoing speeches of his innocence, he needs to go out and prove it.  All the evidence does not support his claims and sitting out this season will convince the fans even more he did cheat by hiding in the shadows.  Running away will not solve this problem.  Clemens needs to play this year to prove he is innocent.  He needs to tell his lawyers to shut up and let him do his own thinking.  By playing this year and having a good year will slowly help his public image.  It will be tough for him to do this, but he needs to do it if he wants to help his career.  He can not sit out this year.  Where will he play?  I don’t know.  Maybe the Nationals so he is right next door to Congress so he can make his daily visits to court.