Well ... It's Not Going Into Space

Barry Bonds 756th home run ball will not be shot into outer space, and it will be on its way to the Hall of Fame. However, when it does arrive, it will be branded with an asterisk. "This ball wouldn't be coming to Cooperstown if Marc hadn't bought it from the fan who caught it and then let the fans have their say," Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey told The Associated Press. "We're delighted to have the ball. It's a historic piece of baseball history." While Petroskey does not admittedly support the asterisk, he remains neutral in the situation, adding that the asterisk reflects the opinion of the fans and is also a part of baseball history.

We are still in the early stages of witnessing how the Hall of Fame plans to deal with the steroid era. We know that users and suspected users stand little or no chance of election, however, how the museum plans to document this in terms of memorabilia remains to be seen. Displaying the ball with the asterisk does reflect the controversy surrounding its legitimacy. No one will ever be able to discuss the achievement without mentioning the steroid allegations, and I do not think any discussion of this era in baseball should ignore this issue. While the asterisk may reflect the majority of an online vote - that does not make it right. If the Hall believes that the ball needs to be examined in the context of this time period, than it needs to be done in a less one-sided fashion. Furthermore, should we go into the hall and brand other artifacts of questionable achievements. Maybe the steroid era should receive its own wing of the Hall?

No word from Bonds yet, but the left fielder will play his last San Francisco home game tonight against San Diego.