TERRE HAUTE —
For those of you who like to worry before there is much to worry about, may I suggest weighing in on the eligibility of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens for the baseball Hall of Fame?
Neither Bonds nor Clemens have been retired from baseball long enough to be considered this year, but already early worry warts are debating the problem. Do we honor the phenomenal ability of Bonds at bat or Clemens on the pitcher’s mound, or do we look at the way they used “performance enhancing” drugs to tilt the playing field as a reason to give them a pass?
Already at least one of the sportscasters who is eligible to cast a vote has offered a way out of this dilemma. He argues that both Bonds and Clemens have posted record achievements and are already eligible for consideration for Cooperstown with or without drugs. So, he has suggested giving both a pass on selection — but just for a few years. Then, just go ahead and vote them in.
He does not cut Sammy Sosa or Mark McGwire the same slack on the grounds that without drugs they would not have posted the records with which they are credited.
We just don’t know! Steroids speed a healing process, among other miracles they perform, so maybe Bonds and Clemens just healed faster and had more quality playing time. Even so, doing a wink and a nudge for a few years before deciding that maybe a violation of rules isn’t all that serious implies that we should just be good sports about it and go ahead and, “enshrine” them in the Hall of Fame.
Sorry, I can’t go along with that. Rules are rules. You can wink and nudge all you like, but it won’t change the fact that rules were violated and the playing field tilted. If you do it once, it gets easier the next time and the next thing you know you have a cheater’s bronze bust right next to that of a guy who did it the hard way. No drugs for Henry Aaron, or for Babe Ruth — unless you count booze.
I object to winking and nudging and presuming that the records would have been set with or without drugs. Pete Rose is still on the outside even though his record numbers still stand and he did it without drugs. He broke the no-gambling rule, but there has been no offer to wink and nudge and recognize his singular achievements.
Maybe when Pete Rose is inducted I’ll be willing to go along with a wink and a nudge for Bonds and Clemens. Time either heals all wounds, or none at all.
Liz Ciancone is a retired Tribune-Star reporter. Send e-mail to opinion@tribstar.com.
Liz Ciancone
MS. TAKES: Not ready to look other way for Bonds and Clemens
- Liz Ciancone
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I once owned a gun. Actually, it was Dad’s gun and I was allowed to use it. He bought an air gun which shot BB’s to protect our home — in a way.
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LIZ CIANCONE: A robin stops to welcome the spring
I saw a robin the other morning. It was not the first robin of spring, of course. A few of the more daring robins had opted to spend the winter and, although they looked pretty sorry about it on a few occasions, it was a fairly mild winter.
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I hope you won’t think I’m picking on small animals, but I’ve been thinking about Easter and the Easter bunny.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Rising up to defend the poor groundhog
I read in the newspaper the other morning that Punxsatawney Phil is being hauled into court and charged with falsely predicting an early spring. I am volunteering my services as counsel for the defense.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Keeping eye out for signs of spring
The problem with expecting a groundhog to predict the arrival of spring is that there are groundhogs scattered all over the country. The Pennsylvania groundhog may not see the same kind of weather as the groundhog out here in Dobbs Park. In this way, false hopes are roused and the groundhog loses credibility as a meteorologist.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Not every other name smells sweet as a rose
It was either Romeo or Juliet who said, “What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
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LIZ CIANCONE: Innocence appreciated when you’re growing up
I grew up rather stupid. I didn’t realize it at the time. Neither did my teachers who seemed to think I had “promise.”
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LIZ CIANCONE: Years along rivers make them feel like home
I’ve been following plans for celebrating “The Year of the River” with interest. Rivers have played such a role in my life that I’ve celebrated a good many rivers. The Wabash River is merely the most recent example.
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LIZ CIANCONE: There are always cat stories to be told
I was asked the other day why I write about dogs I have known, but never about cats. “What’s the matter?” they asked, “Don’t you like cats?”
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LIZ CIANCONE: Sharing the family history
My Grandmother lived with us. Ed and I were eager audiences for her family stories about the Cooks. Mom also shared her memories of growing up with three brothers.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Do we want our privacy or not?
We Americans are a strange bunch. We insist upon our right to privacy, yet we neglect few opportunities to parade our personal business in public.
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LIZ CIANCONE: The low humor of Mickey Mantis
I’m told that a pun is the lowest form of humor. I guess that typecasts me! I love them, but then, I like any type of word play.
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LIZ CIANCONE: For now, justice is served in Bball Hall
News this past week brought justice of a sort. The folks who decide these things have declined to pick anyone to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame this year.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Well, what would you do with only 1 sock?
Let me ask you something.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Movie memories don’t include many of the lengthy variety
There has been lots of reporting lately about how long movies are becoming.
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Today is the big day. That makes tomorrow a sort of let down — rather like “What have you done for me lately?”
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LIZ CIANCONE: No thanks to getting mags delivered via the Internet
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LIZ CIANCONE: Everyone has a favorite holiday
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LIZ CIANCONE: Christmas season puts time back into focus
It’s a funny thing about time. It can speed along so that you cannot believe that your kids can possibly be old enough to have good sense, or it can drag its heels while you wait for that first grandchild or while you are saving up for something really special.
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LIZ CIANCONE: The bottom line is what drives ‘Black Friday’ sales
Why is it called "Black Friday"?
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LIZ CIANCONE: Have we lost the meaning of holiday?
I’ve been considering a lost-and-found ad to see if anyone knows what’s happened to Thanksgiving.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Magic is always there with live theater
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LIZ CIANCONE: Maybe the Cubs will win it all next year
I was relieved to have the World Series ending before the snow flies. Heck, it didn’t even last into November this year.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Holiday decorating better when personal, simple
I fear that I am becoming an old poop!
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