Mention the names of Barry Bonds and Lance Armstrong, and you've got an instant connection.
Both dominated their sports. Both were deeply entangled in performance-enhancing drug accusations. Both hold records that have largely been wiped away in the public's eye.
But Bonds made another connection between the two this week, sharing support for Armstrong and what he did for his sport.
"I think if it wasn't for him, U.S. cycling wouldn't even be here," Bonds told TMZ. "He was the greatest cyclist of all."
Armstrong won a record seven Tour de France titles, dominating the premier cycling race from 1999 to 2005. As he won, he renewed interest in the sport in the U.S. and around the world. Fans followed him for his incredible ability and the fact that he fought cancer before his biking career took off.
But he also faced many charges of doping throughout his career, including this year, when the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said it had the most serious case so far. Armstrong, who has fought drug charges at many levels, filed a lawsuit against the agency but decided to drop the fight last month, saying he was tired of the constant allegations and that he proved he was clean in other tests. The USADA then stripped him of his titles.
While Armstrong has taken a hit in the official record books, though, he's gotten loads of support from his fan base and supporters of his Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Now he has baseball's (disputed) all-time home run king behind him, too.
Armstrong photo via Facebook/Lance Armstrong
