Baseball HOF candidates....here we go again.

[Masherbrum]

Without Steroids would Barry Bonds hit so many homers?

Absolutely not.  The only time in his Career he eclipsed 50 HR's was the 72 HR season and did not have a decent HR avg.    No, without Steroids his broken down body would have missed even more games.  

What happened if Aaron had steroids?

Hank Aaron is a lesson the "Model of Consistency" (as is Stan Musial).   He averaged about 28 HR's throughout his Career and IIRC, hit 30 dingers 15 times.   Hank was NOT a Power Hitter, his 3700+ hits, is testament to that fact.   Hank and Stan did EVERYTHING and are in the Top 10 of every Batting Category (except Stan in HR's), because of Fundamental Excellence.

I have the entire series by Ken Burns plus the book.  There is much more great reading on baseball that I suggested in an earlier post.  The best I've read is The Glory of their Times.  
An author in the 60s traveled throughout the US to interview some of baseballs earliest greats to hear their stories before they passed on.  The others are Biographies.
One of the greatest thrills in my life was to actually meet Bob Feller.  A unique individual and a great american.  And to this day most consider him the best right handed pitcher in baseball.
But with Walter Johnson etc. that will always be debatable.

I met Bob Feller at Fanfest here in 2005.   Just a superb Gentleman.  

The Big Train is the Greatest Pitcher there ever was, with Feller right on his arse.   Both hit 100mph routinely.    

True Story:  When Walter Johnson was 5 years retired and their Manager.  He was throwing BP for the Senators, during Spring Training Tryouts and a rookie watched this Grey Haired pitcher throw.  The delivery was one of extreme ease.   The Rookie was called to the plate for his shot during the Spring Training.   The Rookie had no clue of who was throwing.  Walter Johnson sent 10 pitches his way at 90+ mph. The rookie whiffed at em all, not even a Foul Ball/Tip.   Finally, Walter exclaimed "I'll slow em down now!"

Who was the rookie?  It was none other than Hank Greenberg.

[Hoarach]

Problem is today's athletes have technology and time to say thanks too. Without Steroids would Barry Bonds hit so many homers? What about Hank Aaron? What happened if Aaron had steroids? What if he had the option?
Regardless its history written.... Good or bad, its still - baseball. Even after 100 years, its still alive and well while many other things have come and gone, baseball is here to stay.

If anyone hasn't seen, I recommend Ken Burns - Documentary on Baseball, even if you are mildly a fan, this series is simply outstanding in details and information.

This is why I this is like comparing apples to oranges.  Performance enhancing drugs did exist back then and while it isnt rampart like it is today you dont know if the players of the past had taken anything.  Performance enhancing drugs existed during World War 2 so one can only speculate.  I also think, however, the pitchers of today are better pitchers than in the past.  You could only speculate how a pitcher from the 60's would do against the hitters of today.  With the better training, etc. I just dont know how the players of yesterday would do in today's game.  Like I said, one can only speculate. 

[Hajo]

True story.  First game Walter Johnson pitched was against the Tigers.  They were harrasing the rookie naturally.  It was said that after failling to hit two
strikes by Johnson the batter walked away.  The Umpire said Hey!  Ya have another one coming!  Batter said "You take it, won't do me any good.

1936  Bob Fellers first game pitched at 17.  He struck out 16.  Next game he pitched he struck out 17 then tying a major league record.
After that, he went home to graduate.  He was such huge news his graduation ceremony was broadcast nation wide on NBC Radio.  His
picture on the cover of Time magazine.

If anyone really is a true baseball nut you have to read the Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter.

[SmokinLoon]

True story.  First game Walter Johnson pitched was against the Tigers.  They were harrasing the rookie naturally.  It was said that after failling to hit two
strikes by Johnson the batter walked away.  The Umpire said Hey!  Ya have another one coming!  Batter said "You take it, won't do me any good.

1936  Bob Fellers first game pitched at 17.  He struck out 16.  Next game he pitched he struck out 17 then tying a major league record.
After that, he went home to graduate.  He was such huge news his graduation ceremony was broadcast nation wide on NBC Radio.  His
picture on the cover of Time magazine.

If anyone really is a true baseball nut you have to read the Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter.

Bob was about as good of a person as one can be. 

I met Bob Feller, my great uncle had the honor of catching for him back in the late 30's/early 40's.  My great uncle also caught for Babe Ruth during the "Barn Storm" tour.  Ralph Oliver Brown was a very good catcher and was on his way to to play pro ball but WWII came along.  Ralph graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, and then went to flight school to pilot B24's.  His unit flew over Italy and when Ralph earned enough points he rotated home and volunteered to pilot B25's and B24's with experimental engines in them.  Unfortunately, Ralph died in the spring of 1944 in Florida when the B25 he was flying blew up in flight.  Ralph was my grandmother's brother.  Oh, and in my family's possession is a near mint baseball autographed by Babe in blue ink.  It is sitting in a safety deposit box.    Anyways, Bob Feller was the grand marshal of a parade and my dad and I introduced ourselves and asked Bob if he remembered "Brownie", Bob perked right up and started speaking very fondly of Ralph and the days of having him as a catcher.

Along with my grandfather (see sig line), I am very proud to share the life of my great uncle.  Ralph was just a good all around American boy that everyone loved.  I am lucky enough to have all of his medals, pictures, and mementos.  I even have his bomber jacket.  My grandmother saw to it that I was given everything of Ralph's before she passed away. 

[Hajo]

Bob was about as good of a person as one can be. 

I met Bob Feller, my great uncle had the honor of catching for him back in the late 30's/early 40's.  My great uncle also caught for Babe Ruth during the "Barn Storm" tour.  Ralph Oliver Brown was a very good catcher and was on his way to to play pro ball but WWII came along.  Ralph graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, IA, and then went to flight school to pilot B24's.  His unit flew over Italy and when Ralph earned enough points he rotated home and volunteered to pilot B25's and B24's with experimental engines in them.  Unfortunately, Ralph died in the spring of 1944 in Florida when the B25 he was flying blew up in flight.  Ralph was my grandmother's brother.  Oh, and in my family's possession is a near mint baseball autographed by Babe in blue ink.  It is sitting in a safety deposit box.    Anyways, Bob Feller was the grand marshal of a parade and my dad and I introduced ourselves and asked Bob if he remembered "Brownie", Bob perked right up and started speaking very fondly of Ralph and the days of having him as a catcher.

Along with my grandfather (see sig line), I am very proud to share the life of my great uncle.  Ralph was just a good all around American boy that everyone loved.  I am lucky enough to have all of his medals, pictures, and mementos.  I even have his bomber jacket.  My grandmother saw to it that I was given everything of Ralph's before she passed away. 

Great great story