Letters to the Editor
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Mister Marker
I'm confused. So if steroids (and by extension all PEDs and all legal supplements) don't help one whit, then why did (does) Bonds and countless others do them? I know the general impression of athletes is that they're not the smartest...but by your rationale they're positively moronic, causing untold damage to themselves for no discernible reason.
I think you're missing the point with Bonds. I don't think it's that he did steroids, full stop. Rather it's that he was well on his way to being one of the all-time greats without them and then decided to use them and go for the immortal glory of being The Best Ever. Bonds, and all athletes, and all athletics, is not so much about the people, but what they represent. Neither you, nor I will ever get to know Mr Bonds, or any athlete. When we choose to venerate an athlete it's because of their physical prowess and their "story" - be it the blue collar superstar (a la Teddy Bruschi or John Kruk) or the flaymboyant talent (like Terrell Owens) or humble titan (like Gretzky).
At this juncture what does Bonds represent? Nothing but good ol' Hubris.