August 10, 2007

StreetTalk by Carol Rosen

On Aug. 7, Barry Bonds broke the all-time Major League home run record by hitting his 756th career home run, surpassing Hank Aaron. How do you think the public will view his home run record, as legitimate or tainted, and why?
(Asked at Save Mart on Aborn Road)

“I think it’s legitimate because he hit them. No one else did it for him.”

James Bartlett
Evergreen
Retired


“I kind of think the reaction will be 50-50, some people will think it’s tainted because they heard his name and steroids together. Either way, he’s done what no one else has done and there’s no way to prove either way that he took them, so it’s really no big deal.”

Rebekah Hampton, 27
Portland, Ore.
Disabled


“I think it’s tainted. He used to be skinny growing up and now he looks like the hulk. Steroids gave him more power to hit. I believe he was taking them; I don’t think he beat Hank Aaron’s record fair and square.”

John Lopez, 50
Evergreen
Electronics


“I think it will be controversial because 70 percent [of the people] will recognize he broke the record, but about 20 to 25 percent will consider that he didn’t because he took steroids. I feel it’s legitimate. Even if he take steroids, it’s still a big achievement.”

Mike Moya, 53
Evergreen
Photographer


“I think his record is tainted because I don’t feel he’s been truthful about Balco and that matters. Steroids gave him an edge and that’s not right because kids can’t look up to him."

Lori Balella, 41
Evergreen
Executive assistant


“People need to accept it unless they come up with proof that he used steroids, but there’s nothing concrete yet. He’s innocent until he’s proven guilty.”

William Harris, 55
Evergreen
Retired