_lefraud_ said:
W said:
it's hard to give Bonds credit for the amazing things he did during those years, because...well, yeah...
PEDS don't help a player make contact. Hundreds, or even thousands of players have used PEDS and haven't achieved a tenth of the success Bonds did.
PEDS extended his career and allowed him to play into his 40s, but he's still one of the best hitters of all time, with or without the PEDS.
So... you are saying that at 36.... 3-4 years after most MLB careers end, his 73 HRs were natural.
If you look at
single-season HR leaders and their age, here is what you find.
Top 25 leaders broken down by over 30 and under 30
9 over 30 -
Bonds (36), McGwire (33, 34, 35), Sosa (32), A-Rod (31), Luis Gonzalez (33), Ruth (32, 33)
3 at 30 -
Sosa, Hack Wilson, David Ortiz
13 under 30-
Sosa (29), Ruth (25, 26), Raph Kiner (26), Mantle (29), Hank Greenberg (27), Jimmie Foxx (24), Maris (26), Griffey (27, 28),
Ryan Howard (26), A-Rod (26), Bautista (29)
Bolded for absolutely known PED user. Ortiz maintains his innocence, despite evidence to the contrary.
Bonds is the oldest of the group. His 2nd highest total is at age 35 (49) and puts him T-44th.
It not only extended his career, but gave him increased power at an age most have left baseball.
PEDs does several things. When you are hitting 450' HRs and you miss the ball just slightly... that 390' popout at the warning track ends up as a 410-420' HR. HGH also allows you to retain physical abilty late into the season. Your recovery is better, which means when you might get late on a pitch in August/September... and most players are running out of gas... you are in better condition and strength.
