Ryan Allein grew up watching the San Francisco Giants and Barry Bonds. He followed Bonds' journey to hitting 73 home runs in 2001, an accomplishment that stands as the single-season home run record. He witnessed the Giants come oh-so-close in 2002 during the World Series against the Anaheim Angels.
Yet, he still does not know where he stands on the controversy over Bonds. Allein said he is aware that although numerous allegations of Bonds' link to steroids have been made, Bonds has never been proven guilty.
If Bonds is ever proven guilty of intentionally taking steroids, Allein said "I think there should be an asterisk [next to his record]."
Despite the embroilment of Bonds' alleged steroid use and Allien's own misgivings, the 17-year old senior at Hanford High School in Hanford, will always acknowledge Bonds for the great player that he is.
"He's probably the best player I've ever seen. Even though he's made some mistakes he deserves to be recognized as one of the best players ever to play the game of baseball."
It's summertime, and the sounds of baseball are alive and well at AT&T Park in San Francisco, home of the San Francisco Giants and the site of the 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. But noises are being made in greater volume as Bonds continues his pursuit of the prestigious home run record set by Hank Aaron 31 years ago.
Ryan's dad, Mark Allein, 47, agrees with his son about the asterisk. Mark Allein also ragged on Bonds for taking time off every five games he plays. "If you're part of the team, you're part of the team," he says.
Being 42 in human years is almost like being 82 in professional baseball. Many baseball fans agree Bonds is not the player he used to be. Aside from the steroids, there has been controversy over the reason Barry Bonds is playing this season.
Fans such as Daniel Ruiz, 68, believe Bonds is still in the Major Leagues today just to break the record. Ruiz was riding Caltrain with his wife heading towards the Giants-Padres game on June 26.
"He's definitely playing to break the record," Ruiz said. "He should be on the Giants to help them win, and he can do it with base hits and walks, not necessarily with home runs."
Along with Ruiz and his wife were their two grandchildren. When asked what he would tell his grandchildren about Bonds, Ruiz said, "I would say to my grandkids he's a great player. I won't mention too much about steroids, just I don't think he'll ever be proven guilty and I don't think he'll admit it either. And I'll say he'll be going to the Hall of Fame."
"Absolutely, I want Bonds to break the record, and he will!" said the grey-haired Ruiz.
Many Bay Area residents, like Ruiz, say they support Bonds and wish him well in his chase to beat out Aaron's home run mark, but they admit they don't know what to think of Bonds being tied up in steroid allegations.
Lou Wolner, a college professor of social psychology, looks at the entanglement of Bonds and steroids from another perspective.
"I hold Major League Baseball responsible, which includes all the owners and player unions. Barry Bonds is being made a scapegoat for the fact that Major League Baseball is chicken," Wolner said. "Also, I think there is a hell of a lot of racism behind Barry Bonds and the steroids issue."
Wolner said Babe Ruth and Aaron, baseball's other premier home run hitters, did not have to make any decisions about performance-enhancing drugs and nobody knows if either would have taken banned substances to enhance their athletic ability if given the opportunity.
On the other hand, John Wilson, a firefighter from San Diego and an avid Padres fan, blames another source for the public image of Bonds.
"I think the media will do whatever it takes to sensationalize a story."
Although Wilson is a Padres fan, he appreciates Bonds for what he's done for the game of baseball. He believes Bonds is a tremendous baseball player, but not a role model. To Wilson, athletes who are ideal role models for kids are Khalil Greene, Jake Peavy, and Trevor Hoffman, all San Diego Padres.
"They desire to win and they'll put forth 110% everyday. They won't do it for themselves but for their team," Wilson said.
The notion of Bonds as a role model carries over from the Major Leagues to Little League, where coaches are also confused as to how to address the Bonds/steroids issue with their players.
Craig Morton, 56, a Little League coach with the Cupertino American Junior Cardi at the entanglement of Bonds and steroids from another perspective.
"I hold Major League Baseball responsible, which includes all the owners and player unions. Barry Bonds is being made a scapegoat for the fact that Major League Baseball is chicken," Wolner said. "Also, I think there is a hell of a lot of racism behind Barry Bonds and the steroids issue."
Wolner said Babe Ruth and Aaron, baseball's other premier home run hitters, did not have to make any decisions about performance-enhancing drugs and nobody knows if either would have taken banned substances to enhance their athletic ability if given the opportunity.
On the other hand, John Wilson, a firefighter from San Diego and an avid Padres fan, blames another source for the public image of Bonds.
"I think the media will do whatever it takes to sensationalize a story." Although Wilson is a Padres fan, he appreciates Bonds for what he's done for the game of baseball. He believes Bonds is a tremendous baseball player, but not a role model. To Wilson, athletes who are ideal role models for kids are Khalil Greene, Jake Peavy, and Trevor Hoffman, all San Diego Padres.
"They desire to win and they'll put forth 110% everyday. They won't do it for themselves but for their team," Wilson said.
The notion of Bonds as a role model carries over from the Major Leagues to Little League, where coaches are also confused as to how to address the Bonds/steroids issue with their players.
Craig Morton, 56, a Little League coach with the Cupertino American Junior Cardi at the entanglement of Bonds and steroids from another perspective.
"I hold Major League Baseball responsible, which includes all the owners and player unions. Barry Bonds is being made a scapegoat for the fact that Major League Baseball is chicken," Wolner said. "Also, I think there is a hell of a lot of racism behind Barry Bonds and the steroids issue."
Wolner said Babe Ruth and Aaron, baseball's other premier home run hitters, did not have to make any decisions about performance-enhancing drugs and nobody knows if either would have taken banned substances to enhance their athletic ability if given the opportunity.
On the other hand, John Wilson, a firefighter from San Diego and an avid Padres fan, blames another source for the public image of Bonds.
"I think the media will do whatever it takes to sensationalize a story." Although Wilson is a Padres fan, he appreciates Bonds for what he's done for the game of baseball. He believes Bonds is a tremendous baseball player, but not a role model. To Wilson, athletes who are ideal role models for kids are Khalil Greene, Jake Peavy, and Trevor Hoffman, all San Diego Padres.
"They desire to win and they'll put forth 110% everyday. They won't do it for themselves but for their team," Wilson said.
The notion of Bonds as a role model carries over from the Major Leagues to Little League, where coaches are also confused as to how to address the Bonds/steroids issue with their player