Barry Bonds returned to the lineup Monday after being activated from the DL earlier in the day. Giants fans gave him a massive standing ovation. The headline on MLB.com read, “Bonds’ return worth the wait.” Even ESPN’s Peter Gammons said, “It’s a great thing to see him back.”
Um…did I miss something? Didn’t this guy admit to taking steroids? Hasn’t he blamed everyone but himself for the mistakes he’s made? Last time I checked, Barry Bonds was a liar, a cheater and a prick. Last time I checked, liars, cheaters and pricks didn’t deserve praise, support and adulation. The fact that several members of the media have repositioned their noses squarely up Bonds’ tight ass despite everything that’s happened is deplorable.
I suppose none of this should surprise me. After all, sports fans are notorious for their selective memory and tunnel vision, and as long as Barry comes back and jacks a few (like he nearly did Monday night), most fans and writers, especially those in San Francisco, will forgive and forget.
Meanwhile, Rafael Palmeiro is in exile as he “rehabs” his knee and ankle injuries after going 2-for-26 upon his return from a 10-game suspension. Why have fans and the media been so much tougher on Raffy? Because Palmeiro tested positive? Bonds admitted to a grand jury that he took steroids during the 2003 season, and if you believe that he did so “unknowingly” (as he claimed), you’re either naive, foolish or stoned.
Maybe fans have been harder on Palmeiro because he lied to Congress and to sports fans worldwide. Then again, Bonds has been lying to us for years, but for whatever reason he was spared the congressional appearance. Make no mistake — Bonds would’ve pulled a Big Mac had he been up there with Raffy, Schilling, Sosa and McGwire, refusing to answer any questions about his steroid use and looking just as guilty as McGwire looked then and Palmeiro looks now.
Instead, we’ll be subjected to a public love-fest for Bonds over the remainder of the season. Why not just reinstate Steve Howe or welcome Pete Rose back with open arms? Bonds cheated the game and spit in the face of its fans. But judging by what I’ve seen the past couple of days, most people don’t care about any of that.
