On Barry Bonds

I remember something about baseball, even if others have forgotten it. There are many people I respect and admire who hardly care that Barry Bonds has clearly been using steroids recently in his career. I know all about the three periods in baseball: Babe Ruth, Henry Aaron, and ... steroids. Has Bonds used? It seems obvious that he (along with many others) has (have).

A grown male doesn't increase his shoe size from 10.5 to 12 in two years, for example. That just doesn't happen. Or look to his home run production. The curve, I mean--the overall picture.

It is obvious.

I am all for "innocent until proven guilty," but sometimes, that just doesn't work. Ask our own military, where the burden of proof is reversed.

The fact is, baseball is American. What does it say about us, and our country, if people who cheat are able to succeed?

I think Bonds—and anyone else who uses performance enhancing drugs—should be thrown out of baseball. Forget betting on the game. Let's worry about what really matters: adulterating it. Making it spurious. Undermining the sense of pride and negating the special place this sport holds in our hearts.

Or maybe we are just a false nation. Maybe I shouldn't care. Maybe we are nothing but cheaters and people who look the other way.

Maybe I was raised, and indoctrinated, on lies.

Or maybe—just maybe—Barry Bonds and everyone else like him should be thrown out of the game and stripped of his standings, records, and esteem.

Yes. And in so doing, help restore baseball.

It would be a good start.