Barry and the Brewers

I traveled to Miller Park today to watch the Brewers continue the pennant chase and I'll admit it, I was there for the miniature Racing Sausage key chain - OK, I really picked this game because of the chance to see Barry Bonds tie or break the career home run record.

I got the key chain, but Brewers lost 8-0 on a fine pitching performance by the Giants budding star Tim Lincecum and Bonds was shut out for the second straight day and remains two homers behind Hank Aaron's record.

Fans are peculiar. It was widely expected Bonds would sit out today's game and play tomorrow. The fans love to hate Bonds, but it's hard to do some hatin' when the guy's not playing; those who game to rant at Bonds were pleased to see him play and even happier when he fanned in his first at-bat. And when the Brewers walked Bonds in the top of the 8th with the game still in reach at 3-0 the and first base open, this move was a no-brainer, but the fans booed Ned Yost's decision - it deprived them of the chance to cheer Bonds making an out or howl their disgust if he hit a homer.

Bonds is undeniably a great player, worthy of the Hall of Fame, but his achievements and in particular the home run records are tainted by steroid use. There ought to be more joy about this numerical landmark - but he's seen as a cheater. The problem I have with this view is that Bonds is made to pay nearly all the freight for the entire steroids era, as if he's the only player to juice. In reality, I suspect that dozens and more likely hundreds of baseball players used steroids with so much money at stake for major league players and a hands-off attitude by Major League Baseball. Logically, the marginal players would be the most likely to try anything to stay in a game that features $2.6 million average annual salaries and a $316,000 minimum in 2005. Check out this chart at the Baseball Almanac.

Anyway, with the fans booing Bonds today, I found myself wondering if any of the other players might feel guilty that Bonds takes the heat for something they also did....Naahhhh.