Barry Bonds

Baseball has always had a very interesting way of reflecting, if not predicting, what is happening in America. From the mafia fixed world series of 1919, to Jackie Robinson spearheading the Civil Rights movement, baseball has continued to be a perfect microcosm of American life. Whether it is art imitating life, or vice versa, baseball is America. Which is why I find it so hilarious that any one would either argue against, or be surprised by, Barry Bonds cheating. Baseball is America. Barry Bonds is America.

Let me take a step back and explain. In 1919 when the Chicago Black Sox fixed the world series, they were merely a product of their place in history. It was Chicago during prohibition. Organized crime was everywhere. The thought that crime wouldn’t find its way into sports was ridiculous. Similarly, cocaine in the 1980’s, and yes, steroids in the 1990’s and 2000’s.

My argument is not that baseball reflects only the negative aspects of America. I didn’t say baseball is drugs, or gambling, or cheating. I said baseball is America. Ted Williams might have had 4,000 hits and 700 home runs, but he missed 4 years of his prime due to a tour of duty in World War II. He got drafted, just like thousands of other Americans, and when he was done fighting, he came home and went back to work.

In 1947, seven years before Brown vs. The Board of Education, and nearly twenty years before schools were actually desegregated, Jackie Robinson became the first black player in the Major Leagues. Opening the door for players like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and yes, Barry Bonds. Branch Rickie and the Brooklyn Dodgers were years ahead of the civil rights curve.

Baseball has always been a reflection of our idea of the “American Dream”: That through hard work, courage and determination one could achieve prosperity. There is no better example of this than Hank Aaron. He came to work every day, and worked hard. He wasn’t as gifted as Willie Mays, or as powerful as Babe Ruth, but by being steady and consistent he become the all time home run leader. He did it the right way, and in his day and age, the American way.

But the American way has changed. That is what everyone, including baseball, needs to understand. Hard work, courage and determination will get you pretty far these days, but not to the top. Just look who’s on top, and you’ll understand. These are no longer the days of “mom and pop” corner stores, its Wal-Mart. It’s not gas stations, it’s Exxon. And Enron, and Microsoft, and Starbuck’s. Shit, Martha Stewart went to jail for illegal insider trading, and she’s the picture of American. Hard work, courage and determination gets you Ken Griffey Jr., Bonds is just keeping up with the times. In order to achieve the “American Dream” in 2007 you need hard work, determination, flexible morals, no courage, and the ability to lie to yourself like a drunk frat guy.

The fact is that baseball will always reflect America. And as we change, for better or worse, so will baseball. It’s actually pretty fitting that Barry Bonds is breaking the most hallowed record in all of sports at this point in history. The way most of us feel about Bonds is the way most of the rest of the world is starting to feel about us. As Walt Whitman once said, "I see great things in baseball. It's our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us." Let's hope ol' Walt was right.