Sports and celebrity love affairs… They make for great headlines- especially if they involve a high profile athlete from the pristine world of America’s national pastime, coupled with the proverbial “bad girl”. Perhaps the most memorable involved Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe- over fifty years ago.
Today, we are once again captivated by a love affair between a baseball icon and a “forbidden fruit”. What makes this romance even more tantalizing is that sometime this summer, the two lovers are going to pull off an illicit crime that although we know is coming, we are powerless to prevent.
The lovers of course are Barry Bonds and steroids. The crime: passing the great Hank Aaron on baseball’s all-time homerun list.
As distasteful as the inscribing of Bonds’ name in the record books might seem to many of us adults, there are a number of more substantial and troubling messages that this “achievement” sends to our young people. Namely:
- - Steroids are a great way to excel on the athletic field.
- - Cheating is an acceptable way to reach your goals.
As concerned fans, parents, mentors and coaches we already know that this milestone represents an opportunity for us to “step up to the plate” and communicate directly with our kids about the harmful effects of steroid use, as well as the negative impact cheating has on all of society.
Having accepted that challenge, as spring turns to summer, and Mr. Bonds and his sweetheart creep closer to the record, it’s time to look toward Major League Baseball and its commissioner, Bud Selig to do the same.
We invite your thoughts and comments.
