Bonds should come clean for good of youth, By: Dennis Miller

04/24/2007

THE WHISTLE was watching ESPN on Sunday night, watching highlights of Barry Bonds hitting another home run — No. 740 — to move within 15 homers of tying Hank Aaron. As Bonds was rounding the bases, with the fans going nuts, it got the Whistle to thinking.

What's Bonds' role as it relates to prep athletes — or even younger athletes in today's society? Is there some level of responsibility resting on the shoulders of Bonds as a role model? The Whistle feels there is, whether Bonds wants any part of it or not.

That got the Whistle thinking what he would say, both as a parent and a prep sports writer, to Bonds, if he had the chance. And realizing the chance of that happening is nonexistent, the Whistle decided to write an open letter to Bonds:

Dear Barry,

You don't know me and to be honest, I'm not a fan of yours. Respectful of your ability, without a doubt, but certainly not a fan. I'm writing to you to ask a favor, not for me mind you, but for the countless number of prep and youth athletes in our country today.

In very short time, you're going to have the collective ear of the country when you pass Hank Aaron to become the all-time leading home run hitter in baseball history.

You'll have a chance to address the country and there's no doubt the country, including thousands upon thousands of younger athletes, will want to hear what you have to say.

Your journey has been anything but easy, as you've been raked over the coals about your alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. Did you use steroids? That remains to be seen and the truth may never be known, but like the majority of sports fans, the Whistle has always felt, if it looks like fish and it smells like fish, then it must be fish, or in this case, performance-enhancing products.

There's no denying you're among the greatest players to ever wear a baseball uniform, with or without the use of performance-enhancers. But publicly, you've had issues, to say the least.

You've had many chances to take the high road, but you've opted to go the other way and even at times, been terse when honestly, you have no one but yourself to blame.

But Barry, there is a way you can start to change the way people view you as a person and help make the legacy you leave behind less tarnished.

Hall of Fame? As much as I hate to admit it, you should be a lock, but unless you change your public approach to all that has happened, you'll be right there with Mark McGwire, thinking about what could have been.

Fair or not, personal character in this day and age is every bit as important as what an athlete accomplishes on the field.

But it's not too late, as you see, Barry, America loves people who can stand up, admit their faults, then try and help others from making the same mistakes.

Forgive and forget, as long as you're willing to be truthful — that's America's unofficial motto. Think Bill Clinton for instance.

When you have your national audience at some point in the next month, it's time to step up to the plate of life.

Barry, as a parent, as well as a person who is around a great many talented but impressionable young athletes, the Whistle needs you to speak to the youth of today about the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.

Speak from the heart Barry, as many of these kids, the future of our country, idolize you and worship you as a ballplayer. They don't care what others have had to say, they just know as far as hitting the ball out of the park, you're as good as it gets. You are the King.

The problem is, many of these prep athletes are willing to do whatever it takes to get to the pinnacle of their sport, and the Whistle means they will do and take anything.

If it's good for the professionals, it must be good for me.

There's a growing steroid problem at the high school level, whether people want to admit it or not. And with drug testing in high school being cost-prohibitive, there's really not much any of us can do about it.

Our high school coaches in the Tri-Valley have their hands tied. You can't accuse anyone of steroid use, no matter how confident you are, or risk being sued by parents.

 But Barry, a lot of these kids will listen to you. Tell them how bad steroids are, tell them the health risks associated with the use of these performance-enhancers. Tell them not to do it, plain and simple.

We love our kids, but Barry, realize that these kids are teenagers, meaning what Mom and Dad have to say goes in one ear and out the other.

When the greatest home run hitter of all time speaks, you have an audience. Seize the moment, be a man and help the youth of today.

Maybe you've made mistakes in the past, but here's a chance to help the youth of today, as well as their parents — the same people who have helped put a lot of money in your pocket.

The Whistle is just one person, but he's one who is willing to say and do what's right.

Thank you for your time and congratulations on your impending record.