Time to sell low for Bonds?

What has been for so long a bad dream to Major League Baseball, is quickly turning into a complete nightmare. Perhaps at their own doing. As he has approached Hank Aaron's sacred home run record, Barry Bonds has hidden behind the blanket of never actually failing a drug test. Now reports are that he did indeed fail a drug test last season, although for amphetamines- not for steroids as anyone following the story might have thought. But any sort of positive test for Bonds at this point is a big negative for him. He can no longer hide behind his veil, although ultra-sheer to begin with, of innocence. Reports that it may affect the completion of his contract with the Giants have surfaced, as well early reports of blaming a teammate for the positive test, both of which have been refuted by the Bonds camp. To a man who has never been thought of as the model teammate, this just adds fuel to the fire. It also adds the weight of more scrutiny on Bonds as he continues his march toward baseball history.

Under the new testing policy, a first positive test for amphetamines carries no suspension, and results of the test are kept private. So in that respect, we have no idea how many players tested positive for amphetamines during the 2006 season. Barry Bonds run at Hank Aaron has been met with tepid, if not downright cold response from MLB and the commissioner's office. Almost as if to sweep it under the table, Bud Selig's remarks have been very understated and unclear as to how baseball would recognize or deal with Bonds' forthcoming record. Conspiracy theorists- have at it! It is interesting that the only name we have heard in conjunction with amphetamines testing happens to be Barry Bonds. Almost as interesting is the timing: Amidst reports that the Giants and Bonds' representatives are in a quagmire hammering out very important language of Bonds' contract that was supposedly close to being a done deal over a month ago. Not to suggest that a top secret directive came down from the commissioner's office, but certainly there are those in baseball that would like this problem to go away, rather than having to deal with it head on. Bonds is tired. Physically, mentally. Could something like this push him into retirement, short of his goal of home run King? It certainly seems possible. And maybe, whoever leaked the information of his failed drug test thought so too.

So, Barry Bonds' march towards baseball history could carry with it a nasty double meaning. Does he make history, and pass Hank Aaron as baseball's big fly leader? Or does he become baseball history, by retiring? We'll find out in the weeks to come. And as for conspiracy theories? Pitchers and catchers don't report for another month, and nothing makes the winter pass like a good read.

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Oh, and…

After it has failed to promote its own stars, and failed to capture the consciousness of American sports, Major League Soccer has gone trans-Atlantic, if not trans-Galactic to bring David Beckham stateside. One the biggest stars worldwide, transcending that of sports fame, Beckham brings publicity wherever he goes. MLS is banking on that celebrity to boost sales and notoriety. Banking is a careful choice of words too, as reports tell us the total worth of Beckham's contract may reach the $250 million stratosphere. Is this a good thing for MLS? This fledgling league putting all its golden eggs in one basket? In the short term, it seems a no brainer. For the LA Galaxy, who reported a 2,000 seat boost in season ticket sales following the announcement, they will see an immediate increase in attendance. Fans will flock to see the most famous British import since perhaps The Beatles. We may even see Lakers game- like celebrity attendance in the beginning. And so too will they flock when and wherever the Galaxy travel. But as far as staying power, will it be enough to keep the fans coming back? At this point, it appears MLS is hoping to just get fans in the stadiums, and hedge their bets as whether they will stay when the mania subsides. Or hoping this opens the door for others to make the jump from other European elite leagues. The MLS season starts in early April, and Beckham's current contract with Real Madrid is through June 30. Do the 2,000 fans who rushed out to by their Galaxy season seats know they won't be seeing Beckham for the first three months of the season? It would be an awful way to start off building a fan base if they don't.