Steroids or Not, Fans Want Bonds to Play
July 20, 2006 — -- Contrary to his statements otherwise, three-quarters of Americans believe baseball slugger Barry Bonds knowingly used steroids on his way to his home-run records. Yet most also oppose his immediate suspension if indicted, preferring to let his legal case first run its course.
Suspicion that Bonds lied has grown particularly among baseball fans: Eighty percent of fans in this ABC News/ESPN poll think he knowingly took steroids, up from 65 percent in March 2005. Still, if he's indicted, 55 percent say Bonds should be allowed to keep playing pending the outcome of his trial. Forty-four percent would prefer his immediate suspension.
There's less forgiveness for Bonds' records, which include most home runs in a season and second-most career homers. (He passed Babe Ruth this year and trails only Hank Aaron.) Given what they know now, just under four in 10 fans say Bonds' records should remain unsullied in the record books. About as many say they should remain, but with an asterisk; about a quarter want them removed entirely.
Fans were split about evenly -- 48 and 47 percent -- on whether Bonds should or should not be elected to the Hall of Fame -- a notable absence of support given his many accomplishments on the field (including seven MVP awards). And if he were indicted and convicted, just 30 percent say they'd want him in the Hall.
Federal prosecutors have been examining whether to charge Bonds with perjury for denying to a grand jury that he knowingly took steroids, and also with tax evasion. A federal grand jury investigating the case was set to expire today; prosecutors said they're seeking more testimony. Bonds has denied wrongdoing.
Bonds is not the only target of criticism. Eight in 10 Americans, fans and non-fans alike, say the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs by professional baseball players is a problem; despite stricter new rules, 53 percent of fans call it a "widespread" problem.
