Is Barry Bonds Facing A Double Standard?

Interesting discussion on NPR today about whether or not Barry is facing a double standard. Is the primarily white world of sports journalism being fair to Barry Bonds? Is Barry Bonds really the same as a child molester and should he be treated as such for his alleged crimes? Is race really more of a factor than many sports journalists are willing to admit?


NPR
May 21, 2007

As Barry Bonds closes in on Hank Aaron's all-time homerun record, many critics claim Bonds is a "cheater" because of accusations of steroid use. Writer Dave Zirin wonders why many white players accused of using steroids don't face the similar criticism. Dave Zirin has an interesting take on some of these issues.

Dave Zirin, writer for the Nation and SLAM magazine; author, Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics. and Promise of Sports.

May 21, 2007
NPR

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10300684

 

Second verse, same as the first.

 

White players accused of steroids don't face scrutiny? Does Mark McGwire resonate with anybody?

 

Same as it ever was...same as it ever was...same as it...ever was...

 

If Roger was close to breaking Cy Young's records, he'd be just as talked about as Bonds. This is a red herring. Nothing else. Not that I'd expect different from the asshat who started the thread.

And I could give a care if Barry Bonds or anybody else used steroids, for the record. I just think he's a world-class asshole.

 

Well, by the time Mark McGwire was discovered, he was out of the league. Jason Giambi isn't really good enough to waste too much good air or paper on, and there aren't really any other prominent white dudes who are suspected steroid users.

Barry Bonds is about to break one of the most prominent records in sports. That is maybe, just maybe, why he's facing so much scrutiny.

 

Just for the record. Barry Bonds is really a nice guy, but it's a secret. He's only acts like a jerk to rude sports journalists who think they know it all. Mark McGwire was supported by the media throughout his home run record pursuit. Steroids for McGwire? What steroids? Did any reporters investigate the possibility of his use of steroids? Come on. McGwire's huge muscles must have come from his use of andro, which is legal. However, it's also possible that there was rampant use of Ambien by sports journalists at the time and while asleep they simply missed the obvious.

 

Best-kept secret in the history of mankind.

 

Oh yah, nobody said a word about "Andro" or other steroids at the time.

And Mark McGwire has been reveling in public adulation ever since.

 

A little bit louder, and a whole lot worse.

 

How does that explain his treatment of fans who ask for him to pose for a picture or sign an autograph, only to be told to get a life?

As was Sammy Sosa. Last time I looked, he and Barely are the same colour.

 

Actually dipshit he wasn't. Most people were rooting for Sammy (same color as Barry if you haven't noticed) because, get this, McGwire was a known jerk. After he wised up and quit acting like a asshole to people toward the end of the season, he got a lot more support.

And I bet Barry's ex-girlfriend thinks he's swell. He was a real sweetheart to her.