Editorial: Era of the steroid slugger

Thursday, Aug. 9, 2007 | 7:07 a.m.

B aseball's faded glory was never more evident than in the days before San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's all-time home run record Tuesday night. This past weekend, when Bonds tied Aaron's record, New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player to hit 500 career home runs and New York Mets pitcher Tom Glavine won his 300th game.

The confluence of the three milestones should have been a glorious moment for baseball, but it was bittersweet at best. The chase to break a record is always a thrill, and Bonds was chasing baseball's greatest record. Unfortunately, it wasn't any fun.

The churlish Bonds is tough to root for, and there is the issue of his alleged steroid use. He is at the center of a federal investigation into performance-enhancing drugs in sports, and that has marred his record.

Aaron, who set the record in 1974, stayed away from Bonds' chase, appearing only on video to congratulate Bonds. Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig had reluctantly attended as Bonds neared the record, but only out of a sense of duty, he said. He missed Tuesday night's game.

Still, some past and former players are arguing that Bonds' mark is impressive nonetheless, just because of the sheer number of home runs. There is no doubt about Bonds' stellar performance over the years, even before allegations of steroid use. But in the eyes of many fans he is nothing more than a cheater.

Bonds is the face of a larger problem. Major League Baseball was complicit in letting drug use go unchecked for years and condoning it by championing the era of the home run hitter. Despite claims to the contrary, the league's steroid policy is feeble and is seen as a joke in the world of professional athletics.

Unfortunately, all records set in recent years are marred, whether deserved or not, because of the steroids scandal. Glavine and Rodriguez were unfairly lost in the shadow. Bonds' record should have been a wonderful moment for baseball. Instead it is a sad reminder of what has become of a once-great game.