McGwire was juicing as a rookie.Nolan Ryan was much better than his numbers. He had a tremendous effect on every game he started. He invariably faced the Ace of the opposing team, and his teammates batted squat behind him. He pitched 7 no-hitters and a thousand one-hitters because he needed to; his teammates just didn't score for him.
Bonds had the best years EVER, steroids or no. He hit all those home runs while the opposing pitchers refused to throw anything over the plate! They were petrified of him. And regardless of the excess muscularity resulting from his use of "substances" you still have to put the bat on the ball. Keeping him out is a disgrace. One of the best ever, even if he was a jerk.
Ryan's career era as a percent of league era is just so-so. The idea that he pitched great but had no offensive support is a myth. He never was great and is just a marginal HOFer.
As for Bonds, part of the reason pitchers walked him so much is because he lost his great speed after he bulked up. I do think he belongs in the HOF since he didn't need steroids to get there. He was sensational when he weighed 190. Guys like sosa and mcgwire had HOF stats BECAUSE they were juiced and i'd say keep them out.
McGwire and Bonds used to extend their careers, keep them near their peak while aging. People forget McGwire hit 49HR's as a rookie.
Well the walks to Bonds were thoroughly about respect, I don't know what his slugging % was, but even with his bulk and reduced speed he could trot into second just as easily if he didn't hit a HR.