President Bush feels foul about Barry Bond's indictment
Present George Bush, once the owner of the Texas Rangers, reacted today to the announcement of his DA's indictment of MLB slugger Barry Bonds. From Bloomberg:
Bonds, 43, made false statements about using steroids in grand jury testimony, U.S. Attorney Scott Schools in San Francisco said today in a statement. He is the first major league baseball player charged in the probe. Allegations of steroid abuse by athletes led to congressional scrutiny and tougher penalties by sports leagues. They've also raised questions about the validity of some sports records, especially Bonds's.
``The president is very disappointed to hear this,'' said Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman, in an e-mailed statement. ``Clearly this is a sad day for baseball.''
Bush owned the Rangers from 1989 to 1998, scoring some big bucks when he sold the team. Several admitted or suspected juicers passed through the Rangers stable of sluggers during the Bush ownership including: Rafael Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez, Jose Canseco, and Ivan Rodriguez. Might more observant owners averted this crisis in baseball long ago, had they promoted integrity in the game?
Bush commented on steroid use in the 2004 State of the Union:
To help children make right choices, they need good examples. Athletics play such an
important role in our society, but, unfortunately, some in professional sports are not setting much of an example. The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message -- that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character. So tonight I call on team owners, union representatives, coaches, and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough, and to get rid of steroids now. (Applause.)
Yes, Mr President, perhaps owners, player reps, coaches, and players might have taken a better lead on the steroid issue...about a decade ago.
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