Twins Torri Hunter "Race could be a factor in Bonds steroid investigation"

Wrigley · Apr 2, 2006

Look for Jesse Jackson to step in soon
---------------------------------------

April 02, 2006
Race is called issue in Bonds case

AP
BRADENTON, FLA. - Twins center fielder Torii Hunter said racism could be a factor in Major League Baseball's recent decision to open an investigation into alleged steroid use by Barry Bonds and other players.

"I'm a black guy, I talk to a lot of black players, a lot of black people," Hunter said Saturday. "They get that impression. If you keep talking about [Bonds' alleged steroid use] so much, and this guy's never tested positive for steroids ... you're going to give people in my community a different look. But that's the way society is. We see a lot of things in black and white."

Hunter was quoted in USA Today, saying, "It's so obvious what's going on. [Bonds] has never failed a drug test and said he never took steroids, but everybody keeps trying to disgrace him. How come nobody even talks about Mark McGwire anymore? Or [Rafael] Palmeiro?

"Whenever I go home [to Pine Bluff, Ark.], I hear people say all of the time, 'Baseball just doesn't like black people. Here's the greatest hitter in the game, and they're scrutinizing him like crazy.' It's killing me because you know it's about race."

Hunter expanded upon those thoughts Saturday.

"I can't believe they turned on the heat right before the season started," he said, "right when he's seven home runs away from Babe Ruth's record."

Hunter also said he feels the investigation will work against the progress baseball has made with its recently stiffened drug policy, which penalizes a first-time steroid user for 50 games.

"I'm telling you as a major league baseball player, steroids are not a problem in baseball," Hunter said. "Now that we have the new policy, it's not a problem anymore. The problem is absolutely gone.

Rawpimple · Apr 2, 2006

Yeah Tori. :smoker2: Keep smokin that weed buddy.

I really hate people that cry racism on any and everything they can. It really minimizes the other times when race really is a factor.

This has nothing to do with race and everything to do with a dude that roided up so much he looks freakin ridiculous. They were on Mark too and last I saw he isnt black. If he was in the game today, and had the stats Bonds does, the media, and fans, and baseball would be all over him as well.

Just play baseball Tori and keep your stupid ass mouth shut.

Fishhead · Apr 2, 2006

WOW.......I just lost all respect for Hunter!

My GOD, some of his quotes are mind boggling!!

UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE!!

bigdong · Apr 2, 2006

fishy,...horse racin,....just gotta figure it out yet,....but were there:modemman:

ClipJoint · Apr 2, 2006

The one thing I have to agree with is why wasn't there this same hype and chaos when McGwire was setting the single season home run record? The media and America loved him...they hate Bonds. I don't think race is the issue, but personality definitely plays a role.

Fishhead · Apr 2, 2006

Clip Joint said:
The one thing I have to agree with is why wasn't there this same hype and chaos when McGwire was setting the single season home run record? The media and America loved him...they hate Bonds. I don't think race is the issue, but personality definitely plays a role.

Believe simply because its was LONGER ago.........BARRY and MARK received about equal negativity on steriods when they were playing.

BARRY being 4x the *ss though has definetly help escalate his media negativity.

McGwire and Barry are the two I personally have the biggest problem with.

zee · Apr 2, 2006

Hunter also said he feels the investigation will work against the progress baseball has made with its recently stiffened drug policy, which penalizes a first-time steroid user for 50 games.
"I'm telling you as a major league baseball player, steroids are not a problem in baseball," Hunter said. "Now that we have the new policy, it's not a problem anymore. The problem is absolutely gone.

Stupid or stoopid? You take a pick, but negative IQ is most def a possibility.

dbldn · Apr 2, 2006

So predictable, is anyone really surprised???

What is REALLY sad is that these people really believe what they are saying. Can you believe that the majority of an entire race in America has completely assumed a VICTIM mentality????

ClipJoint · Apr 2, 2006

dbldn said:
Can you believe that the majority of an entire race in America has completely assumed a VICTIM mentality????

Can you believe an entire race use to hang another race...use them as slaves...make them sit in designated areas for only their race...burn crosses on their front lawns...etc.

Not too hard to believe at all in my opinion.

dbldn · Apr 2, 2006

Clip Joint said:
Can you believe an entire race use to hang another race...use them as slaves...make drink from their own water...sit is designated areas for only their race...etc.

Not too hard to believe at all in my opinion.

This is all true, but the difference is that one race REFUSES to ever let the victim mentality go. How long can these facts of history be clung to and referenced for the next 200 years???? They should never be forgotten, but they shouldn't be used as a perpetual crutch. My wife is from Europe and cannot understand affirmative action in the workplace. She had NOTHING to do with what happened in the US, but she is at a disadvantage just because of the color of her skin in hiring decisions. Is that fair?

The victim mentallity is very very sad and a race will never truly OVERCOME if it always thinks that it is persecuted and OWED.

The African American race was gaining ground as whole economically from the end of the Civil War until LBJ passed the Great Society, then people quit depending on themselves and started to depend on the government. They began to feel owed. Since the advent of the Great Society the African American community has stagnated or regressed economically. Translation, I think you can figure it out.

ClipJoint · Apr 2, 2006

dbldn said:
The victim mentallity is very very sad and a race will never truly OVERCOME if it always thinks that it is persecuted and OWED.

They won't overcome it until racism stops.

Keep in mind that guys like Tori Hunter have parents and grandparents who lived through this treatment. It isn't that far removed.

dbldn · Apr 2, 2006

I can truly understand the feelings and beliefs of people that truly experienced racism first hand. It is an ugly part of our nations history.

My sincere hope is that all people are treated fairly and justly. I also believe that America is a place where all people truly have the ability to succeed.

I have a large number of African American friends and when I speak to them about race in the workplace, they often tell me that they can tell that Caucasian people are very uncomfortable and fearful when talking to them about race, because the caucasian people are terrified of saying something that the African American may be offended by. That is also sad, but when you see statements like Hunter's above you can see why.

ClipJoint · Apr 2, 2006

dbldn said:
I can truly understand the feelings and beliefs of people that truly experienced racism first hand. It is an ugly part of our nations history.

My sincere hope is that all people are treated fairly and justly. I also believe that America is a place where all people truly have the ability to succeed.

I agree 100%. I think the minorities that use past race discrimination as fuel to their fire to succeed do just that...they succeed.

I just can't relate to having family members hung or treated as pieces of trash so it is impossible for me to put myself in the shoes of the minorities that still hold bitter feelings and thoughts towards racism.

I try and imagine seeing photos of my grandparents hanging from a tree with a group from another race standing there with big smiles on their face looking up...or someone beating my grandma for not doing enough work...or forcing sex on her just because of her race...at the same time, I think about how I would feel if they did this to my daughter. I can't say I would forgive and forget too quickly.

:toast:

gold64 · Apr 2, 2006

Now they're buddies, 'cause Hunter made that great catch on him?

Ridiculous comment.....

ucking:

trytrytry · Apr 2, 2006

Twins Torri Hunter "Race could be a factor in Bonds steroid investigation"

do ya think?

docmercer--banned · Apr 2, 2006

Yeah ... sure it is

Lets see ....

* YOU WEIGH 400 LBS SO LETS BLAME IT ON MCDONALDS AND SUE

* I HAVE LUNG CANCER AND HAVE SMOKED 3 PACKS OF CIGS THE LAST
30 YRS SO LETS BLAME IT ON THE TOBACCO COMPANY

* I GOT SHIT FACED AND CRASHED MY CAR ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE
BAR SO LETS SUE THE BAR

Bonds is a cheater and this commentary from Hunter is plain jackass material

docmercer--banned · Apr 2, 2006

Clip ...The Jews have been persecuted since the beginning of time ...

Look at what the white man did to the Indian in this country and look at the USA right now with the Illegal Immigration issue heating up from many ends

Racism will exsist in one degree or another until the end of mankind

2PLAYSMAX · Apr 2, 2006

Nothing to do with racism here.

Bonds has just been an asshole to the media for years and now they have a chance to be an asshole to him.

Media have their adorable athletes who do no wrong & their bad boys (OWENS/BONDS/PETE ROSE) who do no right.

Rawpimple · Apr 2, 2006

doc mercer said:
Clip ...The Jews have been persecuted since the beginning of time ...

Look at what the white man did to the Indian in this country and look at the USA right now with the Illegal Immigration issue heating up from many ends

Racism will exsist in one degree or another until the end of mankind

Exactly. Many, people have suffered. Hell, add Catholics to that list. Many races and religions have suffered.

Racism is a harsh word that is thrown around today so casually.

The fact of the matter is America today is focused on being a VICTIM no matter what it is. No one takes responsibility for their own actions. Everyone wants to put the blame off on someone or something else.

On a side note we have this black secretary at work who is the laziest person on the face of the planet. Well, a lot of people wanted her fired because she does little to no work. She CRIED racism and now basically no one can touch her. Any other race, that person would have been gone, easy. This happens all over America.

REDEYE · Apr 2, 2006

Clip Joint said:
The one thing I have to agree with is why wasn't there this same hype and chaos when McGwire was setting the single season home run record? The media and America loved him...they hate Bonds. I don't think race is the issue, but personality definitely plays a role.

Back in 98 when Sosa and McGuire were in the HR chase, most of us weren't even thinking steroids at the time. We weren't all that suspicious, at least I wasn't. NO Balco investigations or Canseco books. Not any of that.

Bonds is the only one currently playing that is on the tainted HR list so that is one of the reasons he is getting the media onslought. Another reason, he keeps trying to insult us with comments that only an idiot would believe.

Again if I was Bonds I would be craving and screaming for this investigation, especially if I'm innocent, instead of saying I'm not going to cooperate. That way we could clear up all of these rumors and all of these witnesses lying in the book. I'm sure that when all of this gets uncovered we will see that all of this was racially motivated, with idiots like Hunter want you to believe,instead of any of these facts in the book actually being true. Seems to me that this would be great motivation to go along with the investigation, Barry