I will provide the research paper. All I need is 2 possible conclusions, each 10-13 sentences. Conclusion 1 has to have a quote and call to action, and conclusion 2 has to have a dramatic statistic and prediction

 

English  102

11/20/16

Barry Bonds on Steroids

This paper looks into the issue of performanceenhancingsubstances, commonly known as steroids, that Barry Bonds a renowned baseball player, was alleged of having used in hitting his dynamic records. The paper brings out various supports on the argument that Bonds’ achievement was not naturally attained but rather through steroid usage. Points brought out base on Bonds achievement before steroid allegations, after the allegations as well as solid evidence acquired though raids and investigation.

Barry Lamar Bonds, born in 1964 in Riverside, California is a baseball player who created history by hitting home run records not only in single seasons but also in career records. Viewing from player statistics standpoint, Bonds is the most renowned international baseball player. Bonds is remembered for his excellent performance in the baseball major league record of 755 home runs in 2007 that broke Hank Aaron’s records. Shortly after his graduation in Arizona State, Bonds joined Pittsburgh Pirates where he commenced a Major league career in 1986.Popularity on his baseball prominence had its way when he was awarded the MVP awards alongside his high homerun record of 762 in the regular season of 73. Lugging behind McGwireand Sosa, who were steroid users in 1998 made Bondsenvious. Anderson took over as Bonds’ personal trainer replacing Farris in the same year. Shortly after, Anderson introduced Bonds to Conte who was a steroid designer and began displaying his dynamic hitter records in 2001.In spite of Bonds’ prowess and successes in the baseball, he was not highly recognized due to allegations on steroidusage that overshadowed his great performance. Therefore, true to say that Bondsachievements would not have occurred if it were not for his steroid usage.

Prior to the meeting of his childhood friend, Greg Anderson, who later became his trainer in 1998, Bonds had poor records in his baseball performance (Kennedy 95). Anderson replaced Raymond Farris who by then supervised Bonds’ workouts. For instance, in 1997, Bonds hit a low average of 291 since the year 1989.Bonds asserted that Anderson was prescribed by BALCO in a ‘Muscle and Fitness’ magazine in 2003. It was Anderson who introduced Bonds to Conte. In addition, Bonds claimed that Victor Conte, BALCO founder commenced the practice of measuring the level of nutrients in Bonds’ blood in the 2000 winter season. BALCO then recommended certain regimes that supplemented on nutrient imbalance correction. Conte not only sold legal substances, ZMA,but also provided international athletes with certain designer steroids.  Conte, when raided in his office by authorities for investigations in 2003, he accepted having offered Bonds with steroids among other clients. Furthermore, a raid on Anderson’s home led to discovery of documents that proved Bonds’ usage of banned drugs.

Bonds developed a feeling of jealousy for Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa that allegedly incited him to commence steroid usage after the 1998 season (Zelman and Concepcion 2430-2431). This is evident in a report excerpt by Mark Fainaru alongside Lance Williams in their book, ‘Game of Shadows’. According to the book, as McGwire hit 70 home runs and Sammy Sosa 66, Bonds only managed to hit 37. Nevertheless, when Bonds hit their records by attaining 73 in 2001, he was alleged of utilizing two forms of steroid designersknown as ‘the clear’ and ‘the cream’. Other steroidsthat Bonds was accused of using were human growth hormone, insulin, Mexican beans,atesteronedecanoate that quickly acts in the body and trenbolone a steroid commonly known for elevating the quality of cattle muscles. In addition, the reporters contended that Bonds used the Human growth hormone that the baseball barely tested in athletes(2425).

A book by the title ‘Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero’, written by Jeff Pearlman contends that Bondsasserted thathe was on the verge of using hard core stuff to elevate his hitting potency.As the book states, Bonds uttered this in a group of people in a dinner at Ken Griffey’s home after the 1998 season (Newman 151-152). Bondsmaintained of previously having a hectic and unsuccessful season that no one appreciated despite his complains on usage of steroids by other baseball athletes like McGwire as well as Canseco. McGwire was cardinal slugger who managed to break the single season home run in 1998. Bondsasserted that he was tired of such complaints andas the saying goes, “If you can’t beat them, join them,” Bonds commencedsteroid usage as well turning 35 by then.Since there were only three or four seasons left to display his prowess with hope that the steroids would have no toxic effect to his body, Bonds yearned for high payments (Zelman and Concepcion 2435). This is vivid evidence that Bonds was angry of lugging behind gurus like McGwire and found out that the onlyway outfor outdoing them was shifting to steroid usage.

It was after his allegations on steroid usage that Bonds commenced hitting great records unlike earlier on in his baseball career.In most of the season home runs of 2001,he not only hit personal records, but also quite a number of records in major leagues. Bonds hit17 home runs in Mayand other 28 homeruns in the year 2001 which were the first 50 greatest games that year. Included in those records was the hit against a Los Angeles Dodgers, Terry Adams, where he hit 500^th record on April 17 home runs. Moreover, Bonds hit a record by a major league record, All Stars home runs hitting 39 of the home runs, drawing a major league record of 177 walks. This caused Bonds   a base average of 515, a record that had barely been reached for over forty years since Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle. In fact, his sluggish percentage was a record of 863 in the major leagues, besides decimalizing the season with a record of 73 home runs in the major leagues that year. Bonds, in 4^th October, managed to tie the earlier on 70 set record, hit by Mark McGwire way back in 1998 in the 162^nd game though hitting Wilfredo Rodriguez’s records of 159^th game of the season. Later in Chan Ho Park, Bonds hit other recordsof 71 and 72.  On 7^th October, the prominent baseball player of the year, made yet another 73^rd record, hitting Dennis Springer. Shortly after, he purchased a 70^th home run ball for McGwire in the year 1998. Due to his triumphant outstanding records in the MLB home runs, Bonds acquired a home run award entitled the ‘Babe Ruth’ in that season.

2004 season seemed the best season for Bonds. It was in this season that bonds hit his personal records when he walked 232 times besides hitting 362 records that gained him a second batting title in the National League. In fact, Bonds slugged at a record of 812, a record that was fourth highest ever made, thereby breaking his personal records on base percentage average record of 609 (Fleitz 60). He outdid May on the home runs hit records in the baseball career when he hit his 661^st record on 13^thApril off of Ben ford. Shortly after, Bonds hit his 700^threcord on 17^th September which he triumphed over JakePeavy. Of the 373 at-bats, Bonds hit 45 home runs striking out only 41 times putting him in elite companies  as only few major leagues had less strikeouts than home runs in any season ever before. Therefore, Bonds would attain his 4^th MVP award totaling to seven awards, whereby the seventh award would sum up to four which no player had ever hit previously in history. Moreover, there had been no other player who had ever attained four MVP awards subsequently. Bonds, who was 40 years old and being the oldest player, managed to break a record by 25 year old Willie Stargell, thence winning the MVP award. Bonds passed career bases by Rickey Henderson with a 2190^th and 2191^st record on career walks and on ball records as well (Hall 240).However, in 2004 season when Bonds almost reached Aaron’s record, Aaron opinionated that Bonds was a great fan and role model for him. Thus, Aaronevaded any controversies on Bonds alleged steroid usage that were denoted in regards to his great records. Prior to the 2005 season, controversies on steroid usage among baseball players went viral through the media.

Furthermore, it was during the 2004 season that a 42 count indictment was announced in Washington, against four men in BALCO, one being Anderson, Bond’s trainer. Their allegations were on selling illegal substances to athletes (Kennedy 90).On 17^th February, 2004,Anderson agreed to have offered some players with steroids.In the 2006 season, Bonds emerged as the highest and all-time paid baseball player, whereby for the 21 years consumed in his career, Bonds earned $172 million. In addition, he hit his longest home run of a 200 record in 10 games since 1998.The journey into great performance commenced in 1997, when Bonds began using enhancing supplements, the first supplement being the andostenedione. The supplements comprised of dozens of proteins, vitamins as well as amino acids.

Bonds was on the pace of a hall of fame despite his allegations on steroid usage. In addition, Bonds was not the only baseball athlete on drugs, several others used the steroids as well. Though before 1998 Bonds already had a good career number that would have paved way to the hall of fame, the fact remains that he never managed to reach the accomplishments.Some of his greatachievements before the 1998 season were his baseball prowess in his professional career earlier on.For instance, Bonds attained his first presentation in major leagues in 1986 where he led national league traineeswith a record of 16 home runs and 65 walks though he finished the 6^thin the voting. In 1987, Bonds hit a record of 25 home runs and 32 stolen bases during his second season. In addition, thePirates team attained great appreciationwhen Bonds joined leading to an elevation of the club attendance with a record of 52,119 in a home opener of that year.Furtherimprovements were noted in 1988 when Bonds hit a record of 283, with 24 home runs.

It was in 1990 that Bonds won his first MVP award whereby he hit a 301 record with 33 home runs along 114 RBIs. Besides, he attained 52 stolen bases that became 3^rd in the league thereby becoming a member of the 30-30 club for the first time (Saavedra 1131).He also put excellent records in 1991 by hitting 25 home runs, driving in 116 and thereby attaining a second Gold Glove and Silver slugger. The Pirates slugging outfields of Bonilla, Bonds and Van Slyke made miserable performances in the years 1990 and 1991, 190 and 200 respectively in the play offs hitting.Again in the 1992 season, Bonds won a second MVP award. In 1993, he hit 336 records thereby leading the league with atotal of 46 home runs, along 123 RBIs that enrouted to his second MVP award and an overall of theawards (1140). All these awards and appreciations showed that Bonds had a capability or the aptitude to do great performance prior to his allegations on steroid usage.

However, this was in his youthful age in his 20s and early 30s.Furthermore, when he used steroids at age 40 and routed Stargell, 25, Bonds was described as the oldest player winning an MVP award. Without usage of steroids, probability of great performance in athletes occurs when in the young age thus Bonds achievements at such an age were worth scrutiny.In addition, his good previous performances might have been due to steroid usage as well since the usage of steroids by athletes was banned in 2002 by the MLB. There is no evidence that the athletes used or did not use steroids since testing of supplements in their bodies was previously neglected in baseball athletes, for instance usage of the human growth hormone.

Nevertheless, other gurus like McGwire and Sosa used steroids to attain their excellent performance records of 1998 season, and this made Bonds envious.  Other gurus like, Marvin Benard, Sheffield, Jason Giambi, Randy Velarde, Bill Romanowski and Benito Santiago also received steroids from the BALCO Company (Kennedy 90).  Marion Jones wasalsoamong them who when caught up in the steroid controversies, she requested for a retirement. It can be argued out that by the time Bonds got introduced to steroids, other athletes were already into it, reason why they always won overBonds. True to say that a number of baseball players accomplished such achievements without usage of steroids. However, all this was after the prohibition of steroid usage by MLB, a law that equalized all athletes of the time. By the time MLB set the rules in 2002, almost all of the gurus in baseball, Bonds included were already using steroids.

At some point, Bonds defended having not been aware of usage of drugs.As reported by the San FranciscoChronicle, Bonds admitted having used ‘the clear’ and ‘the cream’substances provided by Anderson in the 2003 season, though unaware that they were steroids. This weakens the claims that he did clean accomplishments prior to his performances withAnderson as his supervisor.In the 2003 baseball season, Anderson, in a secret conversation claimed that Bonds had been using a performanceenhancingsubstance that would test negative under the MLB tests.How then would it be proved that Bonds never used substances before?

During the productive seasons, Bonds manager by then, Dusty Baker, barely questioned Bonds of his extra huge muscle growth.Adversaries hit Bonds in 2008, when no team wasready and willing to have a contract with him, despite expressing his dire interest. This decline of teams towards Bonds performance and requestsinsinuated that the teams werepurported to having clean achievements and were also aware of his steroid usage. That means, people were aware that his dynamic records were brought about by his steroid usage. Various teams had lost trust in him despite his superlative records. If the team managers really believed in his performance even withoutsteroids, theywould thencompeteto get him.  Bonds had great records that included, a 762 home run record along7 MVP awards, an unsurpassed walk of 2,558 walks and finally eight Gold Glove awards. It was unusual, such a guru, a player who would earn a team great popularity and achievements to be demurredleading to decimalization of his career (Boyd 155). True to say that the teams doubted his performance bearing in mind that MLB now totally restricts steroid usage.

In 2003, Bonds testified of requesting for asteroid test by Anderson claiming that he barely trusted the MLB.However Anderson asserted that Bonds tested negative.After allsuch results were expected bearing in mind with the allegations that Anderson secretly provided Bonds with performance enhancing substances without Bonds knowledge.Besides,  had not Gary Sheffield testified to the jury of having obtained a liquid by the name ‘clear’ alongside a massage balm referred to as ‘the cream’ plus pills called ‘the red beans’ from Anderson? There were also accusations on calendars with the name ‘Barry’ found in Anderson’s home alongside a note that indicated a $450 blood test all of which displaying Bonds steroid usage (Boyd 154).

In conclusion, it is true to say that steroids contributed greatly in Bonds’ achievements or other successes.First, Bonds performance as shown earlier on before 1998 was not the best and would only hit few records.  In addition to that, there is no evidence or prove that Bonds had not been using steroids since the MLB had not restricted it.MLB banned and tested for steroid usagestarting from 2002.Secondly, it was after selecting Anderson as his supervisor that his prominence elevated. Bonds was alsoenvious of other gurus like Sosa and McGwire who hit records through steroid usage which motivated him.That means, other baseball gurus concurrently used steroids to enhance their performance.Moreover, Bonds dynamic performance would be demurred as it appeared athis old age something that barely happened in other previousbaseball players.In addition, much evidence on Bonds’ steroid usage were found after raiding Anderson’s’ home for instance calendars with the name ‘Barry’ and a note on payment of a blood. In 2008, no team accepted a contract with Bonds meaning that his achievements were doubted and not clean.Thus, were it not for the performance enhancing drugs, Bonds would not have attained such superb accomplishments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Boyd, Josh. "The legitimacy of a baseball number." Rhetorical and critical approaches to public relations II (2009): 154.

Fleitz, David L. Silver Bats and Automobiles: The Hotly Competitive, Sometimes Ignoble Pursuit of the Major League Batting Championship. McFarland1.1 (2011): 45-60.

Hall, Donald. Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball. Simon and Schuster 4 (2010): 240

Kennedy, Jennifer. "Image reparation strategies in sports: Media analysis of Kobe Bryant and Barry Bonds." The Elon Journal of undergraduate research in communications 1.1 (2010): 95-103.

Newman, Roberta. "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds And The Making Of An Antihero (Review)". NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture 16.1 (2007): 151-152. Web.

Saavedra, Serguei, et al. "Mutually-antagonistic interactions in baseball networks." Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications 389.5 (2010): 1131-1141.

Zelman, Diane C., and Luis Concepcion. "Game of Shadows by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams (2006), Gotham Books." The FASEB Journal 20.14 (2006): 2430-2431.

 

 

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