Talkin Baseball:

Let’s take time away from business and corporate law. Let’s talk baseball.

One of the bright spots in the major leagues this year is the play of Indianola, Iowa native Casey Blake for the Cleveland Indians. Casey is hitting over .400 and currently ranks in the top ten in batting average and on-base-percentage. Could an all-star game be in his future? A great start is no guarantee but Casey has historically played his best ball after April and May. Let’s go Tribe!

On the downside, it is Barry Bonds. Bonds may very well be the greatest hitter that ever lived. (My Grandpa is probably rolling over with that comment but I never saw Ted Williams). I once saw Bonds receive four straight intentional walks. Sixteen straight balls. Pitch number seventeen? Bonds hit it out of the park. Who else could do that? Despite the revelations in Game of Shadows there is no conclusive proof that Bonds knowingly took steriods. It is tough to defend Bonds but I find it hypocritical the way Major League Baseball has acted with Bonds, McGwire, Sosa et al. MLB glorified the pursuit of the single season home run mark and fans returned in droves to stadiums across the country. (Recall that baseball was practically dead before Sosa and McGwire did their magic). Then came Canseco and his book. Next, Congress put the pressure on several sluggers and now the target is Barry Bonds. MLB recently announced it plans to investigate Bonds to determine if he used steriods.

It appears Bonds may be prosecuted for perjury. Interesting. I recall Rafael Palmeiro testified before Congress that he did not take steriods – shortly before he tested positive for steroid use. Was he prosecuted? No. In fact, the President of the United States (and former Texas Rangers owner while Palmeiro played there) supported his friend 100 percent. Bush believed Palmeiro did not take steriods even after a positive test! Bonds? The guy could really use a friend.