Every era can have an asterisk put by it.
Babe Ruth hit 700+ homeruns and half the people he played against had 2nd jobs as plumbers. Ruth didn't play against any black players either. They werent allowed in the game. Let's put an asterisk by his name, too.
Maris broke the record when the season expanded in games. Let's put an asterisk by that, too.
Barry may break it during the steroid era. Let's put an asterisk by that, too.
Let's put asterisks across the whole record book.
Everyone talks about the hitters, but nobody mentions that Barry Bonds, whether he was on steroids or not (and he obviously was) hit 73 homeruns against a bunch of guys throwing 94-98MPH. Once again, pitchers are on roids too, and recent evidence suggests from our small sample size that it is actually the pitchers who are using steroids more frequently than the hitters. Every single guy coming out of the bullpen is throwing 94-98MPH. It is unheard of. You want to talk about homerun stats, WHAT ABOUT THESE VELOCITIES? Let's see Ruth and Aaron hit 700+ homeruns vs. guys throwing 96MPH every game.
My point is, the playing field is even. Whether you want to believe it or not.
Is the game tarnished? yeah it is. And as much as it pisses me off that the game has turned to these discussions about asterisks, I cant say I wouldnt of done the same thing in his shoes.