Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
Friday, May 12, 2006, Washington Post

We're All Getting Cheated

San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds is about to pass the career home run total of the great Babe Ruth (714). If Bonds stays healthy and keeps playing, he might break the all-time record for home runs -- 755 -- set by Henry Aaron.

There should be lots of excitement and cheering as Bonds sets his sights on these important marks in baseball history. But there isn't. Some fans cheer for Bonds, but just as many boo him. Fans in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he hit his 713th homer this week, had banners calling him a cheater.

Many people believe that Bonds hit so many home runs because he took steroids -- drugs that help athletes work out longer. Athletes using steroids tend to be stronger and might be able to hit more home runs. But steroids can be dangerous and are against the rules. People who believe that Bonds used the drugs wonder how many home runs he would have hit otherwise.

To be fair, it has never been reported that Bonds failed a test for steroids. But his personal trainer has admitted that he gave steroids to athletes. Others say Bonds used a steroid cream. Bonds says he never knowingly took steroids or other drugs. Courts in California are investigating whether he lied about using steroids.

The commissioner of Major League Baseball has set up a committee to look into whether Bonds and other players took steroids.

Lots of fans, including me, think Bonds must have cheated. And that takes the fun out of his accomplishments.

Sports are best when two teams or two athletes play hard and play fair. If your team wins, that's great. If your team loses, at least you know that you gave it your best and that the other team won fair and square.

Games are not fun if a player cheats. And sports are no fun if everybody thinks some team or player isn't playing by the rules.

Think about it: How good would it feel if your team won a big soccer match but you knew you punched the ball with your hand, instead of kicking it, for the game-winning goal? Or how proud would you be of an A+ on a math test if you got the answers from someone else?

No, cheating spoils everything, including sports. Baseball fans this season are stuck. Barry Bonds is a terrific player, and he will hit more home runs. His career total will go up and up, and every home run will be reported in the newspapers and on TV. And every home run will be part of baseball history.

The sad thing is the home runs won't be much fun.