Juicy Juiced

Today, Hank Aaron celebrates his 75th birthday. Ten years ago, on his 65th birthday, Major League Baseball announced that they would begin bestowing the annual Hank Aaron Award to the most outstanding offensive player in both the National and American leagues.

Yesterday, Barry Bonds, a three-time winner of the Hank Aaron Award (2001, '02, '04) and the man who surpassed Aaron as the all-time home run leader, pleaded not guilty to charges that he lied to a grand jury about using steroids. This marks that third time that Bonds has officially denied his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

All of this comes after a urine sample submitted by Bonds tested positive for traces of steroids earlier this week. Although Bonds had not previously tested positive for any such banned substances, simple observation could tell anyone that Bonds has been taking something more than protein shakes.

In 1996, Bonds became only the second player ever to hit forty home runs and steal forty bases in one season. The elusive 40-40 club currently still has only four players. This combination of power and speed was typical of Bonds during his early carrier. Between 1986-98, he only stole less than 28 bases one time, and stole as many as 52 during the 1990 season. Since 2002, he never stole more than 9 bases in a year.

At the beginning of his carrier with Pittsburgh, Bonds was lean and athletic. Since, his hat size has increase to three times its original size, and his voice has risen four pitches. His defensive play has gone from good to nonexistent. Although his power numbers remained high, Bonds lost his athleticism.

By coincidence, the first member of the 40-40 club, Jose Canseco, admitted to steroid use.

Even in the face of overwhelming evidence, Bonds refuses to admit anything. He displays the opposite character that Hank Aaron had, those of integrity, humility, and honor. Aaron avoided involvement with Bonds during the latter's pursuit of the former's home run record. Now, it's not enough that he juiced, now he drags out a proceeding after lying in court. Bonds is the face of the steroid era that has placed a black spot on the sport of baseball.

So despite that Aaron's home run total has been surpassed, Hammerin' Hank will forever remain the Home Run King, because the man with more homers does not deserve the title.