I think he and Barry Bonds are the public punching bags for a troubled era in the history of the game, partly because they seem to be major beneficiaries of the league's lax attitude toward doing something about doping and partly because its always been in their competitive nature to look their opponents in the eye, spit on the ground and throw hard or hit long.  Baseball has gotten so deep into the doping issue and done nothing serious about it.  A decade ago players were tacitly encouraged by the neglect and now there is a cloud hanging over most of the game's record book, in a sport where statistics seem to be as important as victories.  It's only pressure from legislators and journalists that is causing any attention to be brought on the matter.  Perhaps when it starts affecting the traffic at the gate, the league will get the message.

He's a hard throwing, arrogant, fiery competitor who isn't afraid to go high and tight and show the batter who owns the plate. I have no problem with that, and I wish more pitchers did it. If Mike Piazza and others can't handle it, they should wear a dress to the plate.

As to his drama-queen, retire or not retire antics of the last few years, they might make him look a little foolish (although he's probably too busy counting his cash to care) but they do nothing to disgrace the sport.