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
-
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
-
LIZ CIANCONE: We always want more than we need
Washington seems more preoccupied with the unemployment rate than they are about the constant stalemate. Still with thousands out of work and the unemployment rate hovering somewhere between 7 percent and 9 percent, it does deserve more than a passing nod.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Old age is in email of the beholder
My Best Friend isn’t much for writing letters, so email has opened a new world for him. He can dash off a few words to a high school friend or his college roommate — now living in Florida and Washington State,
-
LIZ CIANCONE: A memory test from the oldtime radio days
For some reason, I seem to be the go-to source for all sorts of obscure information out at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Friskey no doubt was in favor of gun control
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.
-
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.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: The mystery of the small animal mascot
I hope you won’t think I’m picking on small animals, but I’ve been thinking about Easter and the Easter bunny.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.”
-
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.”
-
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.
-
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?”
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Well, what would you do with only 1 sock?
Let me ask you something.
-
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.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Resist that big ‘let down’ on the day after Christmas
Today is the big day. That makes tomorrow a sort of let down — rather like “What have you done for me lately?”
-
LIZ CIANCONE: No thanks to getting mags delivered via the Internet
I am a creature of habit. I like to know what I’m doing and I need to know how to do it. That’s why I am annoyed when corporate America seems determined to drag me, kicking and screaming into the age of Internet.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Everyone has a favorite holiday
I suppose everyone has a favorite holiday. My guess is that, for most of us, that holiday is Christmas. It's a holiday with a miracle no matter how old we get.
-
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.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: The bottom line is what drives ‘Black Friday’ sales
Why is it called "Black Friday"?
-
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.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Magic is always there with live theater
I’m a pushover for live theater. But movies? Not so much. For me it’s like the difference between canned peas and those picked fresh from the garden. Movies even COME in cans.
-
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.
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Holiday decorating better when personal, simple
I fear that I am becoming an old poop!
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Surprises from mail worth the extra penny
I understand that the cost of pursuing my hobby will be going up by a penny come the year 2013.
- More Liz Ciancone Headlines
-
LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom
The all-new Xbox One
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial
VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
