Nearly two years ago, Barry Bonds shrugged off a firestorm of steroid speculation and added the career home run record to the single-season mark he already owned, thus putting his name ahead of the legendary ones of Aaron, Ruth and Maris. Back then, some guy who resembles the one I see in the mirror wrote frequently on these pages about a brighter future when the name "Rodriguez" would supplant that big-headed Giant's.

Well, I was duped - although I was hardly the only one. In the spring, Alex Rodriguez admitted to being A-Roid, permanently tarnishing his image. He likely still will put his name ahead of Bonds' on that career list someday, but instead of eliminating a dark stain he will only replace it with another.

So, is there anyone else out there who can provide us with that brighter future? Well, yes. I think. I hope. I'm not sure.

Cardinals superstar Albert Pujols had a spectacular June closing the month with 30 home runs. He became the first player in history to start his career with nine straight 30-homer seasons. He carries MLB-leading 31 homers and 82 RBIs into tonight's game at Milwaukee.

Although he might have to pick up the pace to have a shot at breaking either of Bonds' records, he's on track to set a career high - so it's not out of the realm of possibility. His .336 batting average is high enough to flirt with a Triple Crown. He's solidifying his case as the best hitter in the game - assuming he's clean.

I want to believe he's clean. For the most part, I do believe. Aside from some sports radio voices and some stray Internet suggestions, Pujols has been free from speculation. He doesn't have Pedro Gomez updating his every move or Selena Roberts preparing a tell-all, reveal-nothing book about him. So, why not believe?

Because I was duped. With every new revelation, and with 102 unrevealed names on a list of known cheaters still out there somewhere, the shadow falls on every player putting up amazing stats.

While the jaded journalist side of me has doubts, the baseball fan in me needs to believe Pujols is pure, that he will deliver that brighter future. So I do. I think.

I hope. I'm not sure.