Aaron advocates asterisks by records

[cboy4]

But, once again confirms feelings that Barry Bonds is the true home run champion



By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- As the debate rages over whether a place should exist in the Baseball Hall of Fame for players whose names are linked to performance-enhancing drugs, former home run king Hank Aaron said Saturday that he's willing to accept steroid users into the club.

But Aaron also believes players linked to performance-enhancers should have asterisks posted beside their career numbers. And he's convinced that some of his fellow Hall of Famers would walk off the stage in protest if a confirmed steroid user is ever inducted.

"The thing is, do you put these guys in, or do you put an asterisk beside their names and say, 'Hey, they did it, but here's why?'" Aaron told several reporters in Cooperstown. "To be safe, that's the only way I see that you can do it."

Aaron is one of 50 Hall of Famers in attendance for the induction of Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice this weekend. The steroid issue is particularly hot in the aftermath of Manny Ramirez's 50-game suspension; Alex Rodriguez's admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs while with the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003; and a recent New York Times report that Sammy Sosa flunked a test in 2003.

<snip>

**Aaron doesn't dispute Bonds' status as baseball's current home run champ.**

At the same time, he expressed gratitude for Killebrew's show of support.

"I appreciate it, but I'm still second," Aaron said. "Like I told somebody the other day, 'No matter how feel, I don't think I'm going to ever hit another home run.' It's all over with. I can't even play 18 holes of golf anymore."

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=4355886&type=story

[cboy4]

1. I also found this:

Updated 6h 42m ago

Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run in 1974 and was baseball's home-run king with 755 homers until he was passed in 2007 by Barry Bonds, who has indicted by the federal government for allegedly lying about steroid use.

"It's hard to say the reason you hit a home run because you're on steroids," Aaron says., "I don't believe that. I believe your body can recuperate quickly to come back on the field. But I certainly don't think you can stand up there and hit a Nolan Ryan 100 mph fastball just because you put something in your arm or took a pill."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/hallfame/2009-07-25-hank-aaron-hall-of-fame_N.htm

[trumad]

2. So you're saying that Bonds took Steroids?

Is that what you're saying now?

[cboy4]

3. I'm showing you that Hank Aaron doesn't feel that Barry Bonds was

helped in any way during his journey to becoming baseball's home run king.

Read that quote. That's coming from Hank Aaron.

Not me.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Well, I'm A Big Fan, But I Think Hank Is Being Too Generous

He's just showing his usual class and making a strong point to not complain, or sound like he's whining. What else would he say?

Remember he didn't call a press conference to make these statements. He was answering a direct question during an interview.

I hardly think he could express another opinion. Killebrew can, since he was never the king. Aaron has to stay classy, which isn't all that hard for a guy like him.
GAC

[cboy4]

5. I don't think he's being too generous or that he's simply trying to be classy.

I think Aaron could be accused of sounding "like he's whining" if he accused Bonds of using PED's/steroids to break his #755 HR record.

However, that's not what he's doing or has ever done.

Aaron's remark about how he doesn't necessarily see how steroids can specifically help a guy hit a 100 mph Nolan Ryan pitch over the fence, is actually the prime argument used by those who don't believe PED's account for extra home runs -- or at least, many more HR's.

I don't know the physics of it all .. I'll concede that for sure. But Aaron's comment doesn't sound crazy to me.

I mean .. I can see how PED's would come into play once you make contact with a baseball .. but when it comes to eye contact, increased bat speed... stuff like that ... I dunno. :shrug: There are still questions about how steroids can help someone hit more long balls, before contact.

I believe Aaron feels the same way .. particularly referring to Bonds.

And to discount his doubts, albeit in a very respectful manner, as him simply being generous and classy .. is a bit disingenuous, IMO.

[trumad]

6. There was never any dought that Bonds could hit the ball...

Hell---before he started juicing he was one of baseball's prolific hitters---but he wasn't a prolific home run hitter.

Dude averaged around 30 HR's per year....

Brady Anderson ring a bell--- When the dude hit 50 in one season---it was 26 more than he ever hit....

Who ever questions that Roids don't add power for the long ball are idiots---equal to Climate Change deniers.

[cboy4]

10. Bonds hit 46 fricken homers during his first season with the Giants

at windy Candlestick Park.

Come on now.

46

[Onceuponalife]

15. Of course Hank Aaron is all about class

something *boy would know nothing about, if his daily offensive rants are any indication of his character.

I think the Prof's analysis is dead on.

[ProfessorGAC]

16. Your Physics Are Incorrect

Steroids and HGH have a massive effect on both the healing process and the development of new muscle tissue. Specific steroids can encourage the growth of fast twitch muscle fibers.

Hence, people get stronger AND faster, so the bat speed goes up and the muscle mass needed to sustain that speed and transfer momentum increases.

I'll grant that it doesn't improve the hand-eye coordination needed to hit major league stuff. But, if they already had a good enough eye, then having more bat speed and strength is the difference between hitting the barrel of the bat or hitting out near the end.

And, when hitting it solidly, it's the difference between 340 feet and 380 feet. One of those is a flyout, the other is a homer. And when hitting it on the button, it's the difference between being a power hitting and poewr hitting legend.
GAC

[TZ]

7. I just saw the interview

You are not posting the entire truth ( as usual). Aaron is saying that steroids help you get stronger with the weights and help you heal faster. So yes Aaron is saying that steroids indirectly cause one to hit home runs. And I thought you hated the idea of asterisks? Having actually just seen Aaron.. I would say he's actually being critical of the roiders in a very objective way. Did you catch the part when he said he believes a lot of HOFamers will boycott if roiders (including Bonds) are elected. NOT an endorsement of Bonds. You need to stop cherry picking quotes. It's intellectually lazy.

[trumad]

9. Of course the Douche isn't posting the whole quote

I posted another thread to set the record straight.

[cboy4]

11. Maybe Mr. Aaron should speak for himself instead of TZ acting as his

press secretary.

You can put words in his mouth all day and all night from now until the Nationals win the World Series in the year 2785.

But this is what the second greatest home run hitter of all time said:

"It's hard to say the reason you hit a home run because you're on steroids," Aaron says., "I don't believe that. I believe your body can recuperate quickly to come back on the field. But I certainly don't think you can stand up there and hit a Nolan Ryan 100 mph fastball just because you put something in your arm or took a pill."

And who cares if other players boycott? What does that have to do with his position that Bonds is the legitimate HR King?

I couldn't care less if other bitter players "endorse" Bonds or not.

You need to stop being so bitter about Bonds becoming the all-time home run champion against your lousy team.

[TZ]

17. I'm actually TRYING to post the truth

and not your distorted version of reality. LOL--I had completely forgotten that Bonds hit his "record breaking" HR agaisnt the Nats...thats how little that matters to me. I didn't watch any of his last few games.

And Aaron does think Bonds is a cheater. Else why is he asking for astericks? I seem to remember you pitching a hissy fit over the HR ball going into the hall of fame that way.
And I would think respect of your peers would be something that a HOF player cares about. Unless you are a self centered egomaniacal cheating baseball player who got jealous of others successes so took a short cut to put himself in the spotlight.

[Upton]

18. Despite the fact that your are fixated on Bonds

Aaron did not limit his asterisk remarks to just Barry, In fact, one could make the argument that he didn't include Barry at all, since he proposed asterisks for confirmed steroid users...players like A-Fraud and Manny are confirmed users, Bonds is not.

[TZ]

19. LOL Pot--> kettle

I'm not the one fixated on Bonds..I treat him the same way I treat the other liars and cheats or have you missed that in your FIXATION on one topic...I even posted that I hated Palmeiro MORE because I was a fan of his and believed him initially.
You and your twin are the fixated one. BTW...did not you read where he SAID 70 HR's in a season NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT CHEATING? Who holds that record hmmm? Face it he's critical of Bonds but he's not singling him out which actually should shut up you and your other conspiroid buddy about Bonds...

[Kingofalldems]

8. I disagree with Mr. Aaron. I also think your fanatical posts should have an asterisk.

[cboy4]

12. How will I get a wink of sleep tonight knowing a screw ball like you

thinks I should have an asterisk next to my posts.

"Why am I a screw ball cboy?"

Because Kingofalldems .. aside from disagreeing with the great Henry Aaron, anyone who isn't completely humiliated flying a Nationals avatar like you, has to be considered a screw ball.

[Kingofalldems]

13. Thanks! Kick for the asterisk.

[BOSSHOG]

14. Slap them asterisks on Super Bowl Championships as well

billichick is a cheating sack of shit who discredited the game of football. You'd have to be a fool like will pitt who cares not about right and wrong to think otherwise. Jerk the trophies of the "Super Bowl Championship Patriots" or fuck the concept of right and wrong. Get your team to cheating cause who gives a fuck?

Let a future barry bonds bulk up on steroids today and hit 1,500 homeruns. Who cares?

[joeybee12]

20. Kicking...n/t