[nanwynnfan]

The nagging for my "opinions" being so intense, here goes, admittedly very much FWIW:

1. I believe that Barry Bonds, being proud to the point of arrogance, saw the McGwire-Sosa HR duel in 1998; and, provoked more by Sosa's production tha McGwire's [since McGwire had hit >50 before], got to thinking what the heck is going on here?

2. I believe that Bonds, also a legitimate member of the >40 HR club previously was fully convinced that he was far superior a player and hitter to both McGwire and Sosa; and I believe that Bonds, approaching 35, wanted to prolong his career and enhance his output;

3. I'm thinking that Griffey's two year back-to-back 56 HR seasons in 1997-98 added impetus seeing this "kid" as another threat to his desired image as dominant player of his time;

4. Here is where pure opinion really sets in: Bonds, a 5 tool player with a great eye, plate discipline, contact skills and unfocused power is a "throwback," a player raised in the regimine of mechanics, form swing planes - a throwback to the old ways where weigh lifting and muscle building were anathema to athletes.

This goes back to the 1939-1951 era as well, where the long muscle groups were considered key; and lean musculature made for better whip-like movements that added to production on the field and at the plate.

There were players who were anomalies, like Lou Gehrig; but the ideal was the Williams, Musial, DiMaggio model. Lean.

5. I believe that Bonds wanted to perform up to his maximum capability; and I believe he sought expert input on combining weight training with his existing routines, and the use of nutritional supplements to complement both routines.

6. I believe that Bonds cared very much about conditioning, avoidance of injury, avoidance of side effects that might undermine his playing ability; and at his age, supplements to help an aging body recover from workouts and the wear and tear of a long summer season.

7. I believe he sought out the best possible weights/supplements trainer; and I don't doubt for a moment, that he also sought medical advice in cost-benefit of things used. He had long-term goals to reach; and he didn't want to screw up his body with damaging stuff that could wipe him out in a heartbeat.

8. I believe he took supplements that complemented his nutrition and his weight training' and as a result, he bulked up.

Personal note: at age 60 or so, I joined a gym and gradually worked weight training into my aerobic and stretching routines. I asked around, at the gym and at nutrition outlets and my gp; and for a time I took creatine daily. I gradually got up to 220 pounds pressing, 3 separate sets at 12-15 reps per set. I started to push on to 240# and strained my left shoulder. My doc told be to ease up on the wights and to concentrate on reps and form. He advised I drop the creatine.

9. I believe he wanted an edge not previously had. I cannot imagine an ego like Bonds, taking/buying/trying "junk" handed out by clubhouse attendants and random suppliers: His body pride would prohibit that.

Finally, as I understand "the clear" relative to Bonds, he has allegedly stated that he used it but was unaware at the time that it was either illegal or a steroid substance that would jeapordize his career or reputation. Yes, I believe he used supplements; but I do not believe he knowingly violated a MLB prohibition, even one with no force of testing or penalty.

Here's what I think I know:

1. A .250 hitter with a bat speed on contact of 60 mph may hit a pitch of 80 mph with a contact force of 92 mph; and if the ball is hit solidly with say a 37 degree arc, it may have a hang time of 4 seconds and travel 358 feet. If that .250 hitter trains and has a strength-building program that speeds his bat by 10%, that same ball will travel 370 feet. He's gained 12' of distance; but he has to hit the ball first.

2. Similarly, a batting student like Barry Bonds, may enter the training program with a bat speed @ 75 mph at contact. If he hits the same 80 mph pitch, pre-training, it will leave the bat, at contact @ 110 mph, have a hang time of 4.2 seconds and travel 431'. If Bonds ended up with a 5% increase in bat speed on contact, that same ball would travel 460' a pickup of 29 feet. He,too must hit the ball first.

Bat speed and the ability to make contact are the primary hitter inputs in generating power. A weak hitter will not become a powerhouse threat simply because if he can't make solid contact to build on, we have a factor of "0" and any number times "0" = zero. A dedicated athlete can enhance his results with strength training; but it doesn't enhance what wasn't there to begin with.

Conversely, a guy with a great eye, mechanics, strength and contact skills to begin with, can drive a ball somewhat further with increased bat speed; and that may be a gain of 15' to 30' depending on the quality of initial contact. Does it make sense for a star player to enhance his skills? Yes. Does he see results in others? Yes. Do we assume one size fits all in training routines and supplements? I think not.

The bottom line for me is MLB cashed in on the HR craze and then got religion. OK, you start right now, with rules in place; and enforce your standards from the day you set set them clearly and programmed your treatment of offenders.