Baseball's home run king is without a plaque commemorating his achievements, at least for now. According to ESPN, the plaque, which was in AT&T Park in San Francisco, where Bonds set the home run record with 756, has gone missing. While authorities search for the missing plaque, and the team makes an effort to replace it, the story brings up a sour topic for many baseball fans, the issue of whether Bonds, widely regarded as a steroid user for much of his career, even deserves the award.
Despite still denying ever using performance enhancing drugs, as well as support from some diehard fans, Bonds has not been able to shake the reputation that taints his record even to this day. After his record breaking ball was auctioned off to fashion designer Marc Ecko,Ecko left it up to a fan vote to decide what was to be done with the ball.Eventually, the ball was branded with an asterisk (to signify the record was tainted) and sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame, a fitting solution for many baseball fans, including myself.
This plaque being stolen is most likely someone either wanting the piece for himself or a vehement critic of Bonds who would wish for him to not be recognized for his record. If it is the latter, my only regret is that I know the plaque will be replaced and that he will continue to be recognized as the home run leader. This seems especially unfair given the attitude towards Lance Armstrong after it was found that he cheated, and his support fell out from under him. Perhaps Barry should have received the same treatment. All I know is that for me, at least, that record will always mean nothing to me for as long as Barry Bonds holds it. I recognize the true home run king, Hank Aaron, and you should too.
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