Many of you have written into the Cohn Zohn today discussing my column about Barry Bonds — I wrote why I will vote for him for the Hall of Fame. Most of you disagree with me and I understand why. I’d like to discuss that but before I start I want to thank you for being polite and sticking to the issue at hand. No one called me any names or said I’m a hack, etc. I take this issue of Bonds seriously. I may very well be wrong, but I am trying to be fair and responsible.

If Bonds did not take PEDs he would be eligible for the Hall because he was a great player and his numbers are stupendous. But he did take PEDs. Everyone knows that and I know it too. But it’s not that simple, I don’t believe. And this is where I wrestle with my conscience — and it burns me up that I wrestle with my conscience over a creep like Bonds. This whole issue is tawdry and degrading.

I don’t believe I can use as a standard “I know the guy took steroids.” It is a flimsy standard and it would change from player to player. I strongly suspect some players, guys I like, took steroids but I can’t prove it. If I don’t vote for them it means I appoint myself judge and jury and I don’t like that.

So I have a standard. If a guy admits he took PEDs or if baseball or a court provide indisputable proof he took steroids I won’t vote for him. That’s why I won’t vote for Mark McGwire. I used to vote for him but not anymore. My position has evolved.

Bonds poses a problem for me, and I hate that he does.  He has not admitted to knowingly taking steroids and a jury did not convict him on knowingly taking steroids. I don’t believe it’s fair for me to pretend to have more wisdom or insight than a jury. If a jury can’t convict Bonds I feel I must vote for him based on performance. You may dislike my position — I dislike my position — but I am trying to be responsible and logical.

Thanks for listening.