Musings from a Mile High

A recent poll on ESPN.com asks:

"If Albert Pujols hits 62 home runs this year, whose record will you recognize as the single-season home run record?"

The options are, obviously, the hypothetical 62 homers by Pujols, Barry Bonds' 73 dingers in 2001, Roger Maris' 61 shots in 1961 or Mark McGwire's 70 jacks in 1998.

I think I would choose the 62 by Pujols. And I think you should as well. Because Pujols would have done it without any black clouds hanging over his swings or any speculation that he is cheating.

Barry Bonds is a disgrace to Major League Baseball and the game of baseball. I have written before that I will not waste my time even discussing him, but I've come to a conclusion on how we should handle Bonds and his "records."

If Barry didn't cheat, then what's so tough about telling people he didn't? Why can't he make every effort to come clean? I don't care if he hates the media, the media needs to know because America needs to know. We want to know, Barry: Did you take steroids to increase your power and home run output? Yes or no. There isn't a third option that offers a choice of "unwillingly." You either took them or you didn't. Period. End of argument.

In the meantime, Barry has chosen to belittle the media and treat baseball fans like idiots. He thinks he can strut through another season with arrogance and not receive any retribution. But let's make things difficult.

I think every single pitcher in Major League Baseball should do the following:

-If no one is on and there is no danger of putting your team's chances of winning on the line, throw at Barry. Throw a fastball right at him. And keep throwing them in these situations.

-If there is one runner on, walk him. Don't pitch to the guy. Don't come close to giving the scoundrel a chance to swing for history.

-If the bases are loaded or a similar situation involving runners in scoring position presents itself, make the at bats as long as possible. Throw pickoff attempts, stall, bring out catchers and pitching coaches. Mock the game, because that is what Barry is doing. He doesn't deserve our respect.

In the meantime, I think Major League Baseball needs to push the fences in every ballpark back. It's time to change the game for the better. Make hitting a home run a respectable feat instead of a given for anyone more than 200 lbs. that can swing a bat.

And when Bonds comes up for Hall of Fame nomination, don't vote for him. Refuse to vote for the liar until he comes clean. If the court proves the man never cheated -- which I find highly unlikely -- then induct him. Otherwise, he doesn't deserve such an honor. If Pete Rose isn't allowed in, then Barry Bonds sure as hell shouldn't be allowed in the Hall.