The "Barry debate" for me is a difficult one, because I think it's a much bigger issue than just "Should we cheer or boo Barry Bonds for his accomplishments?"

To me, this is what baseball should be about:

I must admit, I'm quite disillusioned by major league baseball today. Sure, cheating has always been part of baseball... stealing signs, scuffing balls, greenies, groupies, etc, etc. But wasn't there once a little integrity, honor, respect? Maybe the media just looked the other way in the old days, but all I see today is people in pursuit of cold hard cash, and complaining when they don't get enough of it thrown at them.

It just seems to me they've managed to take a kid's game and allow it to be warped into a business where only the greedy prosper. I've got a daughter who is almost two, another kid on the way, and I have no idea how I'll talk to them about baseball, in particular people like Bonds. A widely acknowledged miserable SOB who has been accused of cheating by taking steroids, accused of cheating on his taxes, accused of cheating on his wife, but has an incredible gift for playing a game, and is rewarded to the tune of $20 million a year to do so. Not to mention the money over and above that from licensing deals, as he felt he could make more money through independent licensing deals, instead of through the MLBPA. "Kids, he was a great player, one of the best to ever play the game. But don't be like him. Well, unless you want fame and fortune, then we may have some tough decisions ahead of us. Just remember, if anyone asks, this is flaxseed oil."

But the point of this ramble isn't Barry Lamar Bonds. It's about baseball, a game that I love to play, love to watch. Is there anything quite like the bright green grass in the outfield on a gorgeous summer day? The sights, sounds and smells of a friendly ballpark? I love the nuances of the game, as a shortstop plays a touch deeper in the hole with a runner on first, to increase his range knowing his throw will go to second base. The chess game between pitcher and catcher against batter. The third base coach flashing some crazy hand signals across the diamond. The runner at first stretching his lead an inch more, two inches more, as that could be the difference between safe and out as he digs his feet in and races for second. The umpire's hand punching the air to signal a called strike three. A stunned batter, staring down at the plate wondering how the heck he could let that pitch go by without swinging.

Maybe I'm too cynical. Maybe I'm too idealistic. I dunno. I know that I don't watch as much baseball as I used to. I don't expect it to change, I realize baseball is a business, first and foremost. First and only, really. I don't expect a resolution, I don't expect people to agree, just wanted to vent some frustration. And thus I endeth my ramble.