Episode 33: The Case for Barry Bonds in the Hall of Fame

In this week's episode of the podcasat, K.P. sits down with Jason Takefman, a sports consultant and long-time sports executive in Minor League Baseball, the NHL, and the UFC. Jason is also the co-host of the podcast, "Baseball Writers: The IBWAA Podcast." In this episode, Jason turns the tables on our host and takes over the show to discuss K.P.'s new book on baseball's career home run leader, Barry Bonds, and why it's high time the MLB legend receives his well-deserved place in the Hall of Fame. You can pick up K.P.'s new book, The Case for Barry Bonds in the Hall of Fame, on Amazon. To connect with Jason Takefman, follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-takefman-executive-mba-5156a42a/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonbtakefman (@JasonBTakefman) Baseball Writers: IBWAA Podcast  https://twitter.com/ibwaapodcast   Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:     [01:54] Why K.P Wee wrote The Case for Barry Bonds in the Hall of Fame     [07:33] Is Barry Bonds a victim of PEDs or of his surly public persona?     [13:17] Is there a world where Barry would have been voted into the Hall of Fame?     [21:15] Will players vote Barry into the Hall of Fame in 2024, and will he even show up?     [27:43] If gambling was legalized 25 years ago, would this conversation be different?      [31:42] Barry's close friends in MLB     [36:34] What Barry's managers have said about him     [38:44] How Barry's legacy will look in 25 years     [41:12] Would Barry's story have turned out differently if he played for Boston or New York for his entire career, or at least for a bulk of his career?   Key Quotes by K.P. and Jason:     "Barry Bonds was one of the first people who truly didn't care. Everyone talks about not caring what others say or brushing off the haters. But he actually lived it. [...] He was not a very well-liked person because he didn't suck up to the group of people who could frame a story. He didn't care that much." ~Jason     "You can't give one person or body of people that much power, whether it's media, players, or managers. You can't because they get drunk with power. [...] If Major League Baseball divests its power for the voting, I think they would have a lot more real participation in the Hall of Fame." ~Jason     "We have to remember that the Hall of Fame is not a shrine but a museum. You can't not have the greatest home run hitter in the history of the game not be a member of your sports museum." ~K.P.