Home-Run Record.

[EBondo 233]

With all the steroid allegations involving Barry Bonds, a poll was made on ESPN.com. I decided to continue it on MSH. If Ryan Howard hits 63 home runs this year for the Phillies, how many of you would consider him the single-season record holder? And how many of you would still say Barry Bonds?

I vote Ryan Howard. Just because I think the whole situation involving Barry Bonds is way too sketchy. Look at a before (Pittsburgh) picture, and an after (Giants) picture, and you can see what I mean.

[TBLfan 25]

What about Sosa and McGwire? If you're counting out Barry you should probably not count Big Mac and Slammin Sammy. In which case he would only need 62 homeruns... I have no idea where you get 63 because Mac hit 70, Maris hit 61.

[J-Shera 0]

Who says 3 years down the line we wont find out that Howard is on some sort of enhancer?

[TBLfan 25]

another good point. Basically it boils down to what you can prove, nothing has been proven it's all speculation. I think it is unfair to Barry to treat him as one of two players in MLB(Giambi being the other one) that gets this kind of treatment. When you can prove that he took performance enhancing drugs then you can take his records away, but until then give the man a break.

[tokes 0]

What about Sosa and McGwire? If you're counting out Barry you should probably not count Big Mac and Slammin Sammy. In which case he would only need 62 homeruns... I have no idea where you get 63 because Mac hit 70, Maris hit 61.

He got 63 because Howard is on pace to hit 63.

[Jason Harris 31]

When you can prove that he took performance enhancing drugs then you can take his records away, but until then give the man a break.

It has been proven that he took performance enhancing drugs -- the Clear and the Cream -- but he maintains he thought he was putting flaxseed oil on his knees.

The problem is so many of them become questionable, since players are occasionaly caught with methods that are meant to avoid detection. You might recall Onterio Smith (I think) was caught at the airport with the Whizzinator -- a fake penis with dried urine. Does anyone think he's the only one to buy it?

I sure hope Big Papi is never found to have taken them, because he's become such a folk hero in Boston. It would be disappointing if he's been cheating, especially since he's such an uplifting presence on the team. I read a great quote of something he said to Ryan Howard when they played the Phillies this year. When Papi got to first base, he looked at Ryan Howard and asked him, "Did my Daddy have anything to do with you?"

[Dangles 0]

No. Steriods or not, Bonds is still one of the greatest players all time. I'll call Howard the single season home run record holder when he hits 74 home runs.

[ThePurpleCobra 0]

No. Steriods or not, Bonds is still one of the greatest players all time. I'll call Howard the single season home run record holder when he hits 74 home runs.

Thats rediculous! Only Bonds lovers say that he didn't take steroids, its so obvious that he did, you don't just go from say... 190 lbs to 230 lbs all muscle in 3 years or so. Howard should be crowned the home run king if he does break Rogers number 61! MY TWO CENTS...

[Dangles 0]

Maybe I said "Steroids or not" for a reason there buddy. We've discussed that topic on this board several times over. I'm not a lover or hater of Bonds. He's accomplished something that most people in the world can't say they've done.

I'm guessing you hate Pete Rose..Raffy Palmeiro etc. as well then?

[jon93 0]

if howard doesnt get it this year he will in the next 2or3

as long as he doesnt get hurt

[LegoDoom 0]

Let's wait until he gets number 62.... he was walked 4 times yesterday.

[Chadd 916]

Maybe I said "Steroids or not"  for a reason there buddy.  We've discussed that topic on this board several times over.  I'm not a lover or hater of Bonds.  He's accomplished something that most people in the world can't say they've done. 

I'm guessing you hate Pete Rose..Raffy Palmeiro etc. as well then?

Most people feel Bonds was already going to be a HOF player. His insecurity and ego drove him to take the stuff so he could put up bigger numbers. I have ZERO respect for a guy like that, even less when you consider how he has treated people along the way. I don't think his records should come out of the book, but I do think they should put a note about him being a cheating bastard next to the number.

[KYHockey3 0]

lol

chadd, heres the record books

bonds*

ruth

mays

etc...

*denotes the palyer is a cheating bastard

[troy 12]

Bonds has admitted to taking steroids, though he claims he did so unknowingly. Regardless of whether he intended to enhance his performance, or was somehow coerced into doing so, any numbers he put up while on roids should be voided, as well as any other player on steroids; including the other big power hitters (McGwire, Sosa, Giambi, Palmeiro, Canseco, Caminitti, etc.), and even the pitchers caught.

Of course what will most likely happen is the dreaded "asterisk" as Chadd said. And if that does occur, and Howard reaches a clean 62 HR's, I see no reason why he shouldn't be considered the single season HR record holder.

[Chadd 916]

lol

chadd, heres the record books

bonds*

ruth

mays

etc...

*denotes the palyer is a cheating bastard

No

Bonds 756+ (used steroids, was a cheating bastard)

[trucks 0]

It would be much better if Howard just goes out and hits 74 next year, hes young and I could definitely see him doing it if he gets some protection in the lineup and doesnt allow teams to pitch around him. I think its a shame what Bonds and all those guys did and they would all have been better off if they did what Giambi did and admit you screwed up and move on with your career. All in all though I really dont care that much, Bonds can have the record while living a miserable life with no one liking you except the Giants faithful.

[Langenbrunner15 0]

I hate bonds with passion. I don't know how he could even denie not using steroids!

I vote yes, and for the record, I am with the party that says bonds is a cheating bastard!

[ThePurpleCobra 0]

Maybe I said "Steroids or not" for a reason there buddy. We've discussed that topic on this board several times over. I'm not a lover or hater of Bonds. He's accomplished something that most people in the world can't say they've done.

I'm guessing you hate Pete Rose..Raffy Palmeiro etc. as well then?

I dont hate Rafael because he did steroids I never did like him, just never really took interest in his style of play, and why would I hate Rose? He didn't use performance enhancing drugs! He bet on baseball which has nothing to do with his playing ability.

[LegoDoom 0]

It would be much better if Howard just goes out and hits 74 next year, hes young and I could definitely see him doing it if he gets some protection in the lineup and doesnt allow teams to pitch around him. I think its a shame what Bonds and all those guys did and they would all have been better off if they did what Giambi did and admit you screwed up and move on with your career. All in all though I really dont care that much, Bonds can have the record while living a miserable life with no one liking you except the Giants faithful.

First off, Howard isn't that young, but he's definitely in his prime. Secondly, he's had no protection in the lineup this year. Pat Burrell sucks. Jeff Conine has been good lately, but it's not like he has anyone real good behind him. He was walked 4 times yesterday, was intentionally walked 3 times in extra innings one game this year, and was walked to leadoff the 9th in a game a few weeks ago. Not exactly great protection behind him.

[TBLfan 25]

all the phillies need is one pickup of a solid hitter to put behind Howard in the offseason and maybe a pitcher and they might actually be a threat to the best in the AL. The guys on the Phillies are really hard working guys(probably the second best group besides the marlins) with decent talent. They could go far with a couple additions, mainly a guy to protect their best hitter and this years NL MVP(in my opinion).

[jasper 0]

all the phillies need is one pickup of a solid hitter to put behind Howard in the offseason and maybe a pitcher and they might actually be a threat to the best in the AL. The guys on the Phillies are really hard working guys(probably the second best group besides the marlins) with decent talent. They could go far with a couple additions, mainly a guy to protect their best hitter and this years NL MVP(in my opinion).

i agree but the DEFINITELY need pitching, not some much starters, but closer for sure.

[TBLfan 25]

well as long as gordon is healthy they have a guy that is pretty damn good. He was always shut down when he was with my yankees. But I think it's pretty clear that the AL is a LOT better and there's just not a NL team that can win the series against nearly any AL team in contention this year.

[troy 12]

Gordon's been hurt recently which is to blame for all the late inning meltdowns of late, but Flash is getting up there in years.

Bullpen depth and a mid-top of the rotation starter would help the Phillies immensely. They apparently have some decent pitching prospects who could be effective in 2-3 years which would be about the time Gillick thought the team would be postseason ready.

The core of Rollins, Utley, and Howard should be able to get them to at least the brink of the playoffs until that time.

[Jason Harris 31]

I think its a shame what Bonds and all those guys did and they would all have been better off if they did what Giambi did and admit you screwed up and move on with your career.

The interesting thing about Giambi's press conferernce when he apologized for screwing up, was he never said what he had done wrong. Everybody knew what he was alluding to, but he only said that he was sorry for letting people down, blah, blah, blah, but never admitted in what way.

However, if I was a betting man, I'd say he's been back on something since mid-May of last year -- possibly something like HGH, since it's still undetectable. All I remember is he was floundering for the first six weeks of last year, and word in the paper was Steinbrenner was talking about trying to cut him and claim breach of contract. $20 mil a year is a lot to lose, so next thing you know, he had "rediscovered" his confidence and his stroke. And he once again had the same balloon head disease that Bonds has been inflicted by.

One is left wondering whether there truly are undetectable substances or the leagues really aren't concerned about cracking down. Because more than a sport, these are businesses.

[TBLfan 25]

Just because someone starts hitting again doesn't mean they are on something. I'm sure because Abreu wasn't playing well in philly that he MUST be on something because he's been productive in New York.

Hitters go through streaks, Giambi had a bad streak in Oakland and worked his way out of it. The guy has never been small, so I don't get where you say he "once again had the same balloon head disease." Sure he basically admitted to using something in the past but that doesn't mean he's on it now.