What I've Been Doing

(This guy is not me)

Not the most exciting 10 minute video you will see on your computer. I am part of a statewide commission that is looking at redrawing school district maps in our state. We have to file our report by December 31, and things have heated up quite a bit lately. It's kept me from participating in the finer things, like OOTP baseball.

Honestly, I'd rather be facing Ki-son fastballs.

Bonds: Hero or Villian?

What happened
A federal grand jury indicted baseball slugger Barry Bonds on Thursday on charges that he lied to a grand jury when he said he never knowingly used drugs to boost his performance. Bonds has said the record he set in August "is not tainted," but the indictment sparked fresh criticism from fans and sportswriters who say Bonds doesn’t deserve to be recognized as professional baseball’s career home-run king. (The Columbus Dispatch)

What the commentators said
The indictment was “hardly surprising,” said Dave Sheinin in The Washington Post (free registration). He is the “most polarizing figure” in baseball, and “his transformation from lithe leadoff hitter in the 1990s to hulking slugger” has drawn suspicious sneers for years.

So go ahead and slap an asterisk next to No. 762, said Tom Verducci in SI.com.

[more from The Week Daily]

Bonds To Boycott Hall

Barry Bonds says he will boycott the baseball Hall of Fame if the museum displays his record-breaking home run ball, which has been branded with an asterisk.

Bonds told MSNBC in an interview that aired Thursday that he is prepared to be a no-show if inducted into the Hall; players are not eligible for election until five years after their retirement.

"I won't be part of it," he said. "I won't be there. You can call me but I won't be there."

Slayton Honored by League, Team

Veteran Indians slugger James Slayton was named the American League Player of the Week for his performance at the plate. Slayton went 12 for 25 in 6 games last week against Texas, Pittsburgh and New York. Six of Slayton's hits were for extra bases, including 2 homers and 3 triples. He scored 9 and knocked in 9 while the Indians went 4-2 over that stretch.

James was accepting his award during a live pre-game telecast before the Indians-Yankees game on April 23 when teammates presented him with an award of their own. Slayton is currently leading Indians hitters with a .441 average and 5 homers through 17 games this season. The Indians are currently second in their division and fifth overall in the American League.