The Daily Habit: Sports

 11:30 pm

Barry Bonds: Hall of Famer or Hall of Shamer?- The famed baseball that put Barry Bonds name in the record books, complete with an asterisk, is finally on its way to the Hall of Fame, but not without a fight.  The souvenir arrived in Cooperstown, N.Y., after a strange day of back-and-forth statements between its owner, fashion designer Marc Ecko, and the shrine.  An Ecko driver walked up the front steps of the Hall, handed over the ball and a letter from Ecko and said  it was an unconditional donation.  Horn said the ball will be displayed after the museum documents it—that process usually takes weeks, rather than months.  We are very happy to receive the baseball as a donation, and not as a loan” Hall spokesman Brad Horn said. “We look forward to adding this ball to our permanent collections” (Sports:  Barry Bonds: Hall of Famer or Hall of Shamer).  Ecko paid $752,467 for the prize in an online auction in September.  Soon after, he asked fans to vote in an Internet poll on what he should do with the ball.  The winner: Brand it with an asterisk, to reflect the steroid allegations surrounding Bonds, and give it to the Hall.  The ball indeed was marked, with the six-pronged asterisk dye-cut into the cowhide, from stitch-to-stitch where “Major League Baseball” is printed.  Bonds called Ecko an “idiot” when the designer announced plans to hold the vote. The slugger later said he would boycott the Hall if it displayed the ball with an asterisk.  After months of discussions, the Hall said earlier Tuesday that talks with Ecko had “unfortunately reached an impasse.”  “The owner’s previous commitment to unconditionally donate the baseball has changed to a loan. As a result, the Hall of Fame will not be able to accept the baseball,” the Hall said.  Ecko later responded:  ” I am surprised that the Hall issued a statement that said they would no longer accept the Barry Bonds’ 756th home run baseball. We had been in communication with them just this morning and the Hall did not mention that they would change their position and no longer accept the ball.  Based on the Hall of Fame’s previous statements that they would both accept and display the ball, the only open issue we were talking about was the Hall’s recent indication of discomfort in displaying it and addressing the controversy surrounding the record.”  Bonds generously donated the batting helmets he wore when he hit his 755th and 756th home runs.  He finished his career, at this at this point, with 762 home runs.  Due to the steroid scandal the Giants did not offer him a contract for this year, and he hasn’t gotten an offer to play for another team.  I wonder why Barry?  Why hasn’t anyone come knocking on your door?  Is it because you’re still facing perjury charges punishable up to 5 years in the Federal slam?  Is it because you’re a cheater and a liar, or are just a liability for any team that signs you?  As of now, you’re bad for baseball Barry, and what’s bad for baseball is bad for business.  You’re a lying, cheating roid head whose name shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence as Hammering Hank or the Babe.  Good luck in prison Barry, and getting into the Hall of Fame.  May your testicles shrivel to the size of gum drops.

 

~ by the115 on 07/01/2008.