First, is Bonds, likely a user of performance enhancing substances, the new legitimate career HOME RUN KING?  Although many are loathe to agree, the answer must be YES simply because MLB did not take an official position against steroid use until recently.  Second, will baseball fans view Bonds with the same awe and respect with which they view Hank Aaron?  Most likely NO.  Frankly, in the opinion of this writer, many baseball fans (perhaps most) will continue to see Roger Maris (61) & Babe Ruth (60) and Hank Aaron (755) as the season and career home run champs respectively.  Those who broke the records, namely Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, will be viewed "differently" because of their alleged use of steroids.

Finally, will Barry Bonds be elected to the Hall of Fame?  Most likely, YES.  No one disputes that Bonds is an amazing hitter and great all-around player.  Had he not used steroids, his career home run total probably would have reached into the 600's, certainly a Hall of Fame number.  Will he be elected on the first ballot in which he is eligible?  I believe the answer to that question is still open.  The voters chose to not elect McGwire last year.  Clearly a statement regarding his likely use of steroids and of course a clear reflection on McGwire's unfortunate performance before the U.S. House committee.  Also, Hall of Fame voters are likely to be influenced by the report of the MLB "former U.S. Sen. Mitchell" Committee which is investigating the use of performance enhancing substances in Major League Baseball.  By the way, do any of you feel like me that this committee is moving at a "snails pace?"

The "steroid era" will go down as a "dark period" for MLB.  I'm humored by those who try to make a case that performance enhancing substances "don't benefit hand-eye coordination" and therefore comment, "what's the big deal."  A glance at home run totals of the current 2007 season should answer that question.  With September fast approaching, only one player (Alex Rodriquez- 43) has more than 40 home runs.  He is the only player with a solid chance to hit more than 50. Prince Fielder (39) would need a remarkable September to reach 50. During the "steroid era," even Brady Anderson, who averaged 19 home runs per season over a 15 year career,  hit 50 homers in 1996.  Anderson hit more than 20 in only two other seasons (21 in '92 and 24 in '99).  The "playing field" has once again been leveled.