The romance of baseball has always been that it is every man's sport. Where one came from, whether he was rich or poor, didn't matter as long as he had the skill to build on and a dream to work toward.

For that reason, average Joes such as Babe Ruth, Willie Mays and Joe DiMaggio became legendary. They were living proof that respect didn't come easy on a baseball field — it was earned through hard work, built on natural ability.

On Tuesday, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants joined that elite list when his 756th home run broke the coveted record of Hank Aaron. As many headlines pointed out, Bonds now stands alone.

The flashing cameras, roar of the crowd, video congratulations by Aaron himself, and Bonds' tears as he looked up to thank his departed father, reminded fans everywhere of what our love affair with baseball is all about.

But in the weeks leading up to the event, and not long after, the focus was not on Bonds the remarkable player, but on Bonds, the player suspected of steroid use.

Ever since these allegations emerged, the use of banned substances in professional sports has become an issue that plagues not just Major League Baseball, but the National Football League, the Tour de France and USA Track & Field, among others.

Fans have a right to feel betrayed. Performance enhancements are no different from corking a bat — both give the player an unfair advantage over other players. Where, then, is the romance in a sport where fans are left wondering what is real and what isn't? And where illegal substances make the "average Joe" anything but?

No one can deny the remarkable record that Bonds has broken. When it comes to home runs, Bonds does indeed stand alone.

But in his suspected steroid use, sadly, he is among many.