Why do they have asterisks * in sports???

Why in the world do they have asterisks in sports. I mean what does the * mean anyway? What the does the public opinion view and what does it say about the record or the milestones that was reached. Correct me if im wrong but doesnt Mr. Roger Maris have an asterisk after his 61st homerun?? why because he had a couple extra games to do it.the game evolves and so does the players do you think roger maris could hit 61 homeruns against eeerrrrrr roger clemens in his prime and in 162 games?? I dont believe that he could. I agree that Barry Bonds should only get an * But only until he is proven innocent. What about the other sports situations that get asterisks but dont deserve them. Houston Rockets: 1994 and 1995 NBA Champions. The point is that Michael Jordan wasn't around in '94, and that he wasn't "all the way back" in '95. So if he wasn't "retired," but just hurt, would you still put the asterisk on it? The Rockets were a very good team in '94, and with the addition of Clyde Drexler, they were a great team in '95, sweeping the Shaq-Penny Orlando Magic. Do the '94 Knicks and '95 Magic get asterisks for beating the Bulls, as both had to in the Playoffs? They shouldn't, and neither should the Rockets. take the new england patriots for example imagine if they never got caught with spygate. than there would be no * but because someone got caught they now have an asterisk on their perfect REGULAR season. but what about the people that are really achieving these milestones clean errrrrr i mean legit. the asterisk i believe will always over shadow the clean anyday of the week.