Should You Root for Barry Bonds?

By Sean Gregory

It's just too easy to loathe Barry Bonds. As he approaches one of the most important achievements in American sport--Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755 home runs--everyone knows about Bonds the boor. He's fought with teammates, dissed the press and shunned the notion that athletes must strive to be adored. Then there's that whole steroids thing. In a recent TIME.com poll, 77% of respondents didn't want Bonds to break Aaron's record.

But Bonds deserves a little respect. Steroids or not, he may be the best pure hitter in baseball history. "Does Bonds carry the freight for all the sins of his generation?" asks noted baseball historian--and current Boston Red Sox adviser--Bill James. No, he says, "he can't ... Bonds is our home-run champion. We should respect and honor him, just like we did Henry Aaron."

History will soon unfold, either as a celebration of Bonds' feat or, more likely, one historically awkward moment, given the surreal, sad or even angry reaction to what should be an unforgettable game. Here are five ways to make sense of the Bonds phenomenon. Where do you fall?

1.

It's simple--he cheated

Be serious. Bonds cheated, he lied about it, and we should just scoff at this so-called record. In 1998, at age 33, Lean Barry hit a respectable 37 home runs. Two years later, Bulked-Up Barry smacked 49, then a preposterous 73, followed by three more seasons of at least 45 dingers. His head has visibly swelled, an inflated noggin being a telltale sign of human-growth-hormone use.

According to leaked grand jury testimony, Bonds has admitted to using steroids but has denied knowing that they were performance-enhancing drugs. Right. According to Game of Shadows, a Bonds expose, the slugger went on frequent steroid binges. No one has disproved these allegations, and if they are untrue, where's his sense of outrage? Where's his libel suit? "This record is unfortunate because it's pretty badly tainted," says former Major League Baseball commissioner Fay Vincent. "[Hank] Aaron is not going to go watch Bonds break it. I think that's the message for the rest of us."

2.

He's the greatest hitter of all time

You try smacking a 95-m.p.h. fastball out of the park. "755 home runs? It's an accomplishment, man," says New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, noting that there's never been unequivocal proof that Bonds cheated. Before Bonds allegedly started steroids after the 1998 season, he was already bound for the Hall of Fame, having won three MVP awards. In 1996 and 1997, he had 42 and 40 home runs, respectively. And there's precedent for a late-career power surge: Aaron himself.

Bonds "has the most perfect swing I have ever seen," says James. "Steroids didn't do that. He disciplines himself not to swing at anything outside the strike zone in a way that any player could but very few do. Steroids didn't do that." You have to credit Bonds for performing while opposing fans are throwing syringes at him and booing him. "I don't know 10 people who can take all the flimflam he has taken and still do that job," says Texas Rangers scout Mel Didier.

3.

Come on, pitchers are juiced too

Cartoonishly large sluggers such as Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa have dominated the steroids debate. And admit it: you loved watching those hulks abuse poor, defenseless pitchers.

But here's a reality check: 33 of the 48 major and minor league players suspended by baseball for using performance-enhancing drugs since the start of 2006 were pitchers. That's a stunning 69%, if you're keeping score at home. "With steroids, there has been a preoccupation with one aspect of the game--the home runs," says steroid expert Dr. Gary Wadler, a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency. "To be fair, you have to look at other aspects of baseball performance." Steroids can speed a pitcher's recovery time and perhaps bump him a notch on the radar gun.

Without a reliable test for human growth hormone, it's impossible to know who's still cheating. And with pitchers seeking an edge as well as hitters, it's possible that Bonds will best Aaron's record on a more level playing field than previously thought. Says Minnesota Twins outfielder Jason Tyner: "The pitchers definitely have gotten off the hook."

4.

Aaron was pure, but baseball has issues every era

Yes, injecting steroids would seem to give Bonds a critical advantage over historical competitors. But don't forget that both Ruth and Aaron got help of a different sort. Yankee Stadium, the House That Ruth Built, was really the House Built for Ruth. The right-field fence, just 295 ft. from home plate in 1923, was a dream for a left-handed hitter. Perhaps more important, Ruth never faced a black pitcher. How would he have fared against Satchel Paige, "Smokey" Joe Williams and other Negro League greats?

Aaron benefited from a field change. In 1968, the Year of the Pitcher, Aaron, at age 34, hit 29 home runs. After that season, baseball lowered the pitching mound, from 15 in. to 10 in. Advantage, hitters. Over the next five years, Aaron averaged 41 homers. An incredible feat, but it's fair to ask, What would have happened if the mound hadn't been lowered? Bottom line: every era is imperfect. Bonds' is the steroid era.

5.

It won't matter--A-Rod will surpass him

Don't sweat it. Bonds won't be the home-run king for long. Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez, 31, is about to become the youngest player to reach 500 home runs. He led the majors with 28 home runs through June. Ten more seasons of 25 dingers, which A-Rod can belt blindfolded, and he's right around 750. "Nobody has A-Rod's God-given ability," says Minnesota Twins All-Star center fielder Torii Hunter. "Nobody. That's why he's the $250 million man. He's definitely going to break that record."

There's something oddly appealing about A-Rod. He has the propensity to be all human as well as all star. He's seen a shrink. And he's been seen escorting a stripper in Toronto. He badly wants to be liked yet criticizes Yankee fans. He can't hit in the post-season. While Bonds is entangled in a federal perjury investigation and Major League Baseball's steroid probe, A-Rod's trials are of the lighter variety. Thank goodness. It will be nice to just smile about a slugger once again.