Research Assistant and Connoisseur of Life Brandon Chizum chimes in on his thoughts this week. Comment away; he needs more feedback than his mom!

While debating this week’s article, I pondered the idea of a “Clemens vs. Maddux” comparison, outlining each of their respective roads to success in obtaining 300-plus victories: Clemens, the flame-throwing, outwardly aggressive, dominating pitcher, and Maddux, the constantly one-step ahead, slice-and-dice artist whose desire to win is just as fiery as Mr. Clemens’.

Then it dawned on me. As monumental a moment it is that Maddux will probably become the last pitcher to reach the 300 games-won plateau (look for the future benchmark to become 250 wins), his accomplishment, rightly or wrongly, is overshadowed by the “general” baseball fan’s desire to see the homerun, and hence, an offensive display.

Constantly under a microscope, Barry Bonds somehow performs flawlessly with the ten-pitches-or-so-a-week thrown his way, last night a prime example with two home runs. His effortless swing and keen eye ensure that a majority of his hits serve as valiant acts, done so in order to better his team, and in turn, his chances of winning a World Series. And yes, he is that good.

Barry is the only 500-500 player in the history of baseball; there isn’t even a 400-400 player, and that fact alone should garner him the highest praise available within the forum of other baseball greats. And if you have a moment, glance at the total amount of intentional walks he has collected – it is a ridiculous number, and I believe the game takes a hit because of the fear other teams have in pitching to number 25. (The man has only struck out over 100 times once in his career -- that being his rookie season, 1986.)

His defense has always been far above average for the league, and though his arm strength may not be the equivalent of an Ichiro or Vlad, Barry’s defense has been terrific through his career, if not at times stellar. (He has eight Gold Gloves.)

His career batting average will soon eclipse .300, and though his steals have declined these past few years (he is 40 years old), his on-base percentage and slugging percentage more than make up for the speed factor, with each percentage continuously resting at an absurdly high figure.

As for the steroid debate and Mr. Bonds’ reputation, we live in a country where the laws declare that a person is innocent until proven guilty (at least on paper). But let’s say that Bonds did indulge in the usage of steroid supplements – my response: so what!? Would the physical enhancements from the drugs really assist him in hitting a curveball or slider? And does it truly matter if he hits the ball 485 feet as opposed to 500 feet? Steroids are a form of cheating, I agree, but they have absolutely nothing to do with bettering a baseball player’s innate ability to determine a pitch type and swing fluidly for the fences.

So no matter the allegations floating through the air, major league baseball needs Barry Bonds. He is the Shaquille O’Neal, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Peyton Manning, and Jarome Iginla of this world’s greatest sport, and without question, he should be treated as such.

Now my allegiance has always been, and will always remain, with the Chicago Cubs. But when we are able to witness the gift, and it is exactly that, of a ballplayer the likes of Barry Bonds, we should take note and realize the importance of such a celebrated figure. His effort on behalf of major league baseball is one of immeasurable magnitude, and how truly lucky we are to have been privy to his heroics on the baseball diamond we love.

So as we near the end of his illustrious career, let us urge Mr. Bonds to destroy the record books, for selfish we-were-there reasons, but maybe more importantly, just because he can. Records are made to be broken, so c’mon, pitch to Barry. Better yet, let's hope that on Friday as Maddux pitches again for the milestone, he'll let Barry see some pitches and give us a moment for the ages, no matter the winner.