IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE BARRY BONDS IS A JUICER, CHECK THIS OUT

I usually don't write about sports issues on this blog, but as a baseball fan I am simply disgusted with the situation regarding San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds.

After first denying using performance-enhancing steriods, then saying he may have taken some unknowingly, then defending those players who do work "juiced", the smoke turns into a wildfire with the release Monday of Game of Shadows, written by two San Francisco Chronicle reporters and excerpted now in the latest Sports Illustrated and on it's Web site.

Authors Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams (not to be confused with the WFLA-TV investigative reporter in Tampa) have interviewed many individuals close to the superstar outfielder, as well as reviewed statements and documents from the BALCO investigation in researching for this book.

Call me old fashioned if you will, but I believe that true sports fans want to see the best athletes competing using the talents given them natrually by God Almighty without being enhanced through drugs. Anyone who uses steriods to help "gain an edge" is not only putting their own long term health at risk, they are disrespecting the game many of them claim to love, as well as putting the very intergrity of the game into question. That, in the long term, will cause fans to turn away and eventually hurt players and owners where they really hurt...in their bank accounts. It's too bad that Major League Baseball hasn't realized this yet, thanks to it's weak Commissioner, Bud Selig.

While Selig's office now says it will investigate the "allegations" against Bonds, it has been obvious it doesn't want due to fear that MLB would be embarrassed more than it already has been as word steriod usage steriods by other players would likely be confirmed. Baseball officials have stated that the hitting sprees by players --- several of whom are alleged to have been "juiced" --- has helped bring more people out to the ballparks.

That said, should Congress push forward with hearings this week regarding steriod usage in Major League Baseball? Reluctantly, I say "NO".

Call it my more conservative side coming out, but:

1) Congress has many more important issues to deal with than who's juicing up in the clubhouse.

2) While there is an exemption for MLB regarding antitrust issues, it is still a private enterprise which should regulate itself.

3) As this issue continues to gain attention, real fans will demand MLB put more teeth into it's policy regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs by players --- maybe a one year suspension for a first offense would get players' attention --- with the realization by owners and the players' union that to avoid the issue further will threaten the game's future, and therefore their livelihoods.

That's just my opinion...