The first huge names of the "known" steroid era were sent a powerful message today after voters for the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame made it abundantly clear that the likes of Bonds, Clemens and Sosa may never be honored in Cooperstown. Although this was only their first year of eligibility, neither Barry Bonds nor Roger Clemens could muster even a mere 40% of the 75% vote necessary for entrance into the Hall. Yet were it not for their connection to performance-enhancing drugs, both Bonds and Clemens would have been slam dunk first ballot Hall of Famers.
Voters overwhelmingly rejected that idea that Bonds and Clemens should be accepted into the Hall based solely on their numbers and personal records. And even though neither Clemens nor Bonds has ever been proven to have knowingly taken steroids, the mountains of circumstantial evidence against both players was simply too much for voters to ignore.
The real question will be whether or not voters will eventually soften their stance against Bonds, Clemens and possibly other players of the steroid era who are suspected of using PEDs. After today’s rejection, both players will be eligible for induction for another 14 years. That’s a very long time in a country that has become increasingly tolerant of all forms of drug use. Current Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt summed up the feeling of many baseball fans and players around the country: "Curt Schilling made a good point, everyone was guilty. Either you used PEDs, or you did nothing to stop their use. This generation [of players] got rich. Seems there was a price to pay."
Voters overwhelmingly rejected that idea that Bonds and Clemens should be accepted into the Hall based solely on their numbers and personal records. And even though neither Clemens nor Bonds has ever been proven to have knowingly taken steroids, the mountains of circumstantial evidence against both players was simply too much for voters to ignore.
The real question will be whether or not voters will eventually soften their stance against Bonds, Clemens and possibly other players of the steroid era who are suspected of using PEDs. After today’s rejection, both players will be eligible for induction for another 14 years. That’s a very long time in a country that has become increasingly tolerant of all forms of drug use. Current Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt summed up the feeling of many baseball fans and players around the country: "Curt Schilling made a good point, everyone was guilty. Either you used PEDs, or you did nothing to stop their use. This generation [of players] got rich. Seems there was a price to pay."
