San Francisco, CA

Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda is convinced that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa have no place in Cooperstown.

"To me, they don't belong in there," said Lasorda. "They cheated. That's the way it is. If my brother did that, I'd say the same thing about my brother. I mean, I know those guys. They're good friends of mine. But by golly, they didn't do it the right way."

Aside from Lasorda, several other Hall of Famers have voiced out their objection to enshrinement of players linked to steroids use.

"I tell you, it's a shame. How in the hell could a guy hit 73 friggin' home runs? I mean, Babe Ruth couldn't do it," added Lasorda, who did not refer to Bonds by name.

While Lasorda has objected to the induction of Bonds, Clemens and Sosa, Lasorda has cleared former New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza of steroids use.

Piazza, who hit more homers than any catcher in history, was also included in the ballot and among those suspected of steroids use during his career.

"No proof. I've got to say he didn't take it," said Lasorda, who drafted Piazza 62nd in the 1988 draft when he was manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. "That's how I feel. I just don't think he took them."

Lasorda also praised players like Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees who admitted to steroids use.

"I had thought A-Rod, he probably did it the right way," Lasorda said of Rodriguez. "Then he said he took 'em. So there it is. I think they shouldn't have taken it. It was dangerous to take it in the first place."

 

New York Times sports columnist Bill Rhoden talks to Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell about the controversial Baseball Hall of Fame votes surrounding Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens -- three players who have been dogged by steroid accusations

Steroids issue in Baseball Hall of Fame vote

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