Bob Costas says Aaron true HR King, Bonds tranformed by PEDs, Rose deserves another look for HOF
MLB Network and NBC broadcaster Bob Costas joined the show to share his take on Ryan Braun and more.
Costas said the atmosphere in baseball has changed dramatically. The MLBPA used to be adamantly against even testing. “In their minds the problem was anyone would want to look into the issue,” Costas said. “The players observed a cone of silence. … Now the vast majority of players want the game cleaned up.”
Costas said he believes that Hank Aaron is the all-time HR champion and Roger Maris is the single-season record-holder. “It’s reinstated in the minds of all sane people already,” Costas said.
Costas had great comments on Barry Bonds. He said saying Bonds would have been right there with Babe Ruth without steroids is like saying that he could come into the ManCave on stilts and say he’s the tallest guy in the room. “He didn’t get an edge from PEDs,” Costas said. “He was transformed by them.”
Costas thinks all this should help Pete Rose. “Can anyone say with a straight face that Pete Rose damaged baseball as much as the steroid era guys did and some continue to do?” Costas asked. Costas said he asked that directly to Bud Selig, and the Commissioner was uncomfortable with it. Costas said at least put Rose on the ballot, just like Barry Bonds is.