Posted By:
Mike (18colt)Contrary to an earlier post, Ben Johnson's time of 9.79 in the '88 Olympics has been equalled (Maurice Greene in 1999) and surpassed (Tim Montgomery in 2002, though if steroid allegations are correct, we may be back to M. Greene).
What may not be equalled is Johnson's time by a runner with a large gold chain around his neck, a uniform that's not exactly aerodynamic like today's gear, and those large veins in his arms providing wind resistance. How fast could a 'roid-full Johnson have run with today's equipment (shoes, skintight spandex, etc.)? How much further can the 100m mark drop, legally or illegally?
Back to Bonds . . . . To summarize, the next generation, examining his baseball stats in the record books or on-line, won't see anything noted about how he handled the press, how rude he was, or his connection to BALCO. All the next generation will see in the Baseball Encyclopedia is a guy with probably over 700 home runs, a ton of walks, a decent batting average, and someone to debate about who's the best non-pitcher ever to play the game (vs. Mays, Aaron, Cobb, Ruth, and others, maybe A-Rod someday). Appreciate his skills, assume he's clean unless shown not to be clean, and get out to a ballpark to see him live before he retires, so you can tell your kids and grandkids about the fear he instilled in opposing managers, the respect he got from pitchers, and the Roy Hobbs way his bat connects with the ball in his later years.