Look for Jesse Jackson to step in soon
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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.
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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.