Barry Bonds finally passed Henry Aaron's all time home run record last. Unfortunately, After watching his first two at bats I missed the swing that set the record as I was flipping channels back and forth. But thanks to ESPN and the Internet I can watch replays of it over and over and over again.I for one am thankful that this chase is finally over. All the hype and build up was unnecessary and annoying. I guess if I had no life and all I cared about was baseball then maybe last night would have been the life changing experience that the media wants to make it out as. But the reality is that it was just a home run. On top of that, I was sick of watching Giants- National games just to watch Bonds. If it weren't the record there is no way I would ever watch either of those teams play.
For the record, I am admit that I am a fan of Barry Bonds. I may be the only one who doesn't live in San Francisco. As a former Pirate and the last link to our glory days in the early 90's, Bonds will always have a spot in my heart. I realize that he probably took steroids but that doesn't really bother me much. Here is why: Many other players were taking steroids at the same time including pitchers that pitched against him. In fact, the pitcher that he hit 755 off of was busted for taking steroids. Additionally, steroid use was not against baseball rules until just a couple years ago so he was essentially playing by their rules. Finally, while everybody knows he took steroids, he has never been proven to have taken them.
To me Bonds, regardless of steroids, will go down as one of the top 5 players of all time. He now owns the single season and the career record for most home runs. He is the only player ever to have hit over 500 home runs and stolen over 500 bases. He won 8 gold gloves so he was obviously a good defender. He is a 7 time league MVP with many of those coming before he took steroids. Finally, if he plays next year he will pass 3000 hits, become the all time leaders in runs scored and finish third all time in Runs Batted In.
In the end, while I am Bonds fan and apologist, I am glad that this whole saga is over and we can now move on to the rest of the baseball season.
12 comments:
My two favorite teams are the Reds and the Twins, so Barry Bonds isn't one of my favorite players. That been said I don't care about the steroids issue at all because before the media onslaught of how 'evil' steroids are the last four years, the only thing the fans really cared about the long ball. In effect we got what we asked for. Second, steroids DO NOT help the batter see the ball. Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire were homerun hitters before the steroid fad hit.
If there were to be an asterisk that were to be added it should be because of how the media was acting with the pursuit of the record...and the unnecessary nitpicking and slander that has occurred. The media really stole some of the excitement that there should have been for the record.
What I think would be interesting is if someone would hire a private investigator to look into some of these reporters to see what kind of drug abuse or other vises we could find, it could improve the quality of reporting if we kept the media accountable, but this is another topic.
If any athelete took steroids I can't condemn them because they did what we expected. the condemnation that is being heaped on atheletes is incredibly hypocritical. So on that note Congradulations to Barry Bonds and his family...enjoy the record because you deserve it.
The only consolation in Barry hitting home run #756 is that he probably won't hold the record for very long.
Barring any major injuries Alex Rodriguez should pass Bonds in 6-7 years.
I don't know how you guys can look past steroid use in baseball. It's ruining the game. I don't care if everyone is using it or not. Bonds is a cheater and a loser. His record is tainted and I can't wait for the day when A-Rod passes it.
Too bad A-rod is on the juice as well. I hear Canseco is going to out him in his newest book.
Conseco's already going down with the steroids ship & he just wants to take as many people with him as possible.
He probably needs the money (since his attempt to make a comeback as a pitcher failed) so he figures... I'll write another book & implicate the people I didn't implicate the first time around!
In the words of Mr. Tony... "What a Dope!"
Here's another problem with Bonds breaking the record & A-Rod (if and when he passes Bonds)... Ball Park dimensions. Nearly all of the new ball parks that have been built over the past 15 years have been made into "hitter friendly" parks. I wonder how many home runs Ruth & Aaron would have had if they played in these smaller parks.
Baseball nerds are all about their stats but yet every playing field has different dimensions. It's the only major sport where the players don't compete on a "level" playing field.
I've heard several different sports personalities say that had Willie Mays not played half of his games for so many years at Candlestick Park he probably would be the HR King.
Bonds has played half of his Giants career at Candlestick & half at AT&T Park & his HR explosion also coincides with the team's move to AT&T park in 2000.
Have steroids tainted the game? In my opinion: YES! But the discrepancy in Ball Park sizes has watered down the HR records in my opinion as well.
who did what now?
Kyper,
Very easy, I don't have kids. The guys that allegedly used steroids only did what they had to-to give the fans the long ball. Steroids do nothing to help the hitter track the ball.
Sports aren't life and death, it's an escape. With everything basically equal the pitchers are using also...no one is getting an advantage.
I can't condemn someone for possibly doing something, that at the time wasn't illegal or violated the rules when they gave what we expected. To do so would be hypocritical...God knows I struggle enough with my faith than to be two-faced with this. Like always if someone broke the law then run them in, otherwise we are whining about nothing.
This only ruins baseball if let it.
Bobby Bonilla for life.
Conseco should oust you Jeff. I know you've been using steroids to win all those poker games...it isn't helping your golf game much though.
So if you say Bonds was a homerun hitter before using steroids, does that mean steroids did not make him an arrogant jerk either? This was a nonevent, not because of steroid use, but because nobody (except Fetz I guess) likes Bonds.
Don't forget that steroids have been around since the early 80's if not even earlier. California's governor used 'em. Athletes in every sport have used 'em. Guys I played football with in high school used 'em. I like dakotaranger's point about all the other drug use out there.
My last thoughts...
....imagine Babe Ruth.......on steroids ....... in hitter friendly parks ...... playing in as many games as Bonds ...... maybe even sober.....Ruth woulda hit over 1,000 HRs.
Babe Ruth was the best homerun hitter ever. (period)
Jon,
I said I wasn't a fan, and I thought he was an arrogant jerk, but of course it could be how the media portrayed him. (I'm sure you've seen *61 since if I remember right your a Yankee fan and it was pretty accurate how the press treated Roger Marris)
The difference for me is I am a Reds fan and a John Wayne fan. The Duke was a huge alcky but I still like his movies...the loathing I have for alchol hasn't stopped me from enjoying the movies. And being a Red's fan I liked the way that Pete Rose played baseball and as a kid I followed Eric Davis. Eric had huge drug problems and Pete has been accused of gambling on baseball (Again I stick with innocent until proven guilty). IF I'm going to stay consistent I can't hold allegations against Bonds.
This what drives me nuts about Christians, I'm told I'm supposed to let my hatred go of a murderer and I'm supposed to forgive him, then Christians turn around and condemn someone that they don't know, don't have all the facts, and I'm stupid because I'm not willing to sacrifice the principle of innocent until proven guilty...
I will be honest I have had my fill lately of friends calling me a bad Christian and pulling this type of garbage. It was easy when the Republicans started acting like wusses or not standing up for their principles to start referring to myself as a Federalist. I can't do that with my faith, I'm stuck with the Christian monacher in spite of 'my lack of faith.'
I will grant you that I'm not holding a strong to my theology as I should be, but at least I'm trying to be consistent. Granted it may hatred that is confusing me on this issue but when I'm told that I need to get rid of my bitterness and one of two things happen I ask how I let it go and that Christian has a blank stare, or they have a hidden bitterness (the plank in the eye thing)
Sorry about the rant I've just been treated like dirt from other Christians since I was a kid, guess it's just part of the curse being a former PK. I was just providing my plug nickle, which everyone is entitled their own, on why it doesn't bother me.
Craig, I'm confused. Did I say something that offended you? I hope not, my comments were just random thoughts. But thanks for the reminder about the danger of being judgmental. I have judged Barry Bonds on his comment that he "never KNOWINGLY used steroids" and his history of attitudes and comments. I don't think the media is to blame for Bonds' lack of popularity, though there is probably much hypocrisy in their reporting. I read recently that his college teammates voted 22-2 to kick him off the team because of his attitude. (Don't quote me on that, find the article) I have not judged his heart, just his personality.
Yes, I've seen '61'. Wasn't very impressed with the movie. I'm a Yankee fan, but not in love with all things Yankee. For example, though he's mellowed in recent years, The Boss has never been a favorite of mine. I defend his freedom to invest lots of money on his ball team (it hasn't really helped), but I'm not a big fan of Steinbrenner.
My thoughts on forgiveness:
It is a process, a series of decisions one makes with the help of God's spirit. Forgiveness is not an emotion, it is not excusing, it is not forgetting (at least at first). An offender does not need the victim's forgiveness, they need God's forgiveness. The victim forgives primarily for their own benefit, they owe nothing to the offender. Forgiveness is one of the clearest statements one can make that a particular offense was wrong indeed. Forgiveness is necessary only when there was a wrong committed; if they did nothing wrong, they don't need forgiveness. Forgiveness is tough stuff. Having been forgiven of much, I try to imitate Christ's forgiveness. It ain't easy.
I certainly don't have all the answers, but here's a few things to help with the process of forgiveness. 1) Remember frequently how Christ has forgiven you 2) pray for God's help with this 3) use the replacement principle (Luke 6:27-28). "Forgive and forget" is nonsense; it is more accurate to say "Forgive to forget." Meaning as you choose not to dwell on wrongs suffered, the angry thoughts arise less often.
Craig, I have not walked in your shoes. Your journey is your own, but it is a path that Christ has journeyed himself, and that he is walking with you even now.
Jon, not really. I'm just tired...a lot on my short comings (God knows I've wept over them alot the last 10 months), tired of being told that I'm wrong about this or that or being told I should do x,y, or z and not getting any directions...you just barely touched a bare nerve that I've been praying over for months and I slightly over reacted.
While the media isn't responsible totally for a players popularity when the sports media celebrates one player that did cocaine (from my beloved Cowboys) but a continous belly aching from reporters wanting to crusify someone that there is no legal proof he did anything wrong it makes me question their integrety. My impressions of Bonds he is a self-centered jerk, but I also know when I'm being hit by a zillion different sides my personality gets very prickly (ready for a fight). I don't know and kinda doubt this is Bonds way of doing things and I don't know if it's just the way he comes off to the media and thus they treat him like a jerk (which he could be in real life I don't know)
I'm sorry overreacted I'm just tired.
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