Bonds -- Next Stop Cooperstown?

When Thurman Munson died tragically in an airplane accident in 1979, there was a move to get him inducted in the Hall of Fame immediately by waiving the five year rule.

Munson did have impressive stats -- Rookie of the Year in '70 and the MVP in '76. Surprisingly for a for a catcher was the fact that he finished in the top ten in batting for five years and was an All-Star for seven years. Munson, who by all accounts, had a few years left to play as he was only 32 when he died.

However, cooler heads prevailed and five years elapsed. And guess what --Munson, despite his credentials at the time of his death, simply didn't have the numbers to earn him a spot in Cooperstown. It's the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of the Pretty Good, after all.

So what? Well, a lot can happen in five years -- especially the five years from the time Barry Bonds retires to the time he's eligible for the Hall. News reports suggest that he's looking at a post season indictment for possible perjury in the whole BALCO mess. Moreover, the glow of actually breaking the mark will fade over time, especially as players, such as Alex Rodriguez, who have not been tainted with a steroids charge, make their assault on the record. Lastly, Bonds was never a friend of the media, and it's the media who decides who goes into the Hall and who stays outside.

It's not unprecedented. Pete Rose, who had more base hits than anyone who ever played the game -- and a whole slew of other records (but don't trust me -- his website will tell you) is still on the outside. Mr. Rose was a stone cold lock for the Hall but when his business of betting on baseball came to light -- it was lights out for Pete.

A lot can happen between now and 2012 (like a second Hillary Clinton term -- yikes!) but there certainly is no free pass for Barry Bonds when it comes to the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Bonds should enjoy the view for now, because it's all downhill from here on out.