[GrindingGears]

"he's forever sullied his own reputation"

Thank you, you just confirmed that he is one of the greatest ever.

The list of all time "great" atheltes that have controversy attached with their career is loooong.

Let me help you get started...

M.j #23, freggin addicted to gambling, cheated on his wife?
Ruth, alcholic, nuf said.
Mantle, nuf said.
Sosa, cork.
Mcguire, cretine.
Farve, it hurts, give me more pills.
I can keep going....my point is: there's always something negative attached with greatness. "He/she is great BUT..."

As you know, for Barry it's his lazy boy in the corner of the locker room and allegations that he doped up.

With that being said he still has one of the greatest swings in the game....EVER. Remember this, steroids dont make your swing great...they make your arms big and your nuts small.

His swing is great b/c of God given natural talent (quick hands), studying/experience (understanding what pitch comes next), and coaching (his dad, Bobby Bonds as a hitting coach and Willie Mays as a mentor). He's not some shmoe who got big and came out of no where. He has been groomed to be the best player ever his whole life.

People in the bay area will tell you, **** I'll tell you, I lived five minutes from his high school (Serra) and played ball on the same fields he did. He was crushing the ball in h.s. as a skinny kid, out of the park, across the street and hitting the 3rd floor of a building across from the field. What field? San Mateo Park, go check it out.

We've been lucky to see him play during our life time, don't take that for granted. I'm done.