Story: Baseball Player Bonds Nears Historic Mark: 05/24/06
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june06/bonds_5-24.html

Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is Barry Bonds and why is he in the news right now?

2. How would you describe Bonds' career? What are some of his milestones?

3. What is marring Bonds' achievements?

4. Why haven't other alleged steroid users attracting the same attention as Bonds?

5. What negative reactions has Barry Bonds received?

6. What do Bonds' defenders have to say about the reaction Bonds is receiving?

Discussion Questions and Extension Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Research the details concerning Barry Bonds' involvement in the steroid scandal in baseball. What do you think? Is Bonds being unfairly treated? Why or why not?

2. According to the article, some say this situation is the same as that faced by Hank Aaron, another African American baseball player who surpassed Babe Ruth in 1974. How are the situations similar? What changes have occurred in the past three decades? Do you think the comparison is a good one? Why or why not?

3. Should fans care if Barry Bonds and other professional players use steroids or not? Explain your reasoning.

Send your answers, in essay form, to extra@newshour.org for possible publication!