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Posted By: Paul

I agree Bonds was a better overall player than McGwire (though I'm not sure I'd describe him as one of the best five tool players even before steroids). But to say McGwire wouldn't have made the HOF if it wasn't for the cloud hanging over him is just wrong. The guy hit 70 HRs in one season and over 580 lifetime. And he was probably the most popular player in baseball before all of the controversy hit. I think he was a very easy first ballot HOFer.

Also, steroids or no steroids, I don't think a jury will ever convict Bonds of anything, except possibly lying to the grand jury. He is "charged" with violating baseball's rules. I don't know what crime he is accused of. I guess using prescription steroids could possibly be a crime if he didn't have a prescription from the team physician or some other doctor. But that's hardly the kind of thing a prosecutor spends much time on.