Bonds Charade Deepens Mid-Week

by Cajuncub on May 8, 2006 9:19 AM CDT

Well, the Cubs find themselves in the thick of this bit of infamous history that may play out this coming week in San Francisco. Bonds is set to break the Babe Ruth homer milestone. He'll be out of the line up today but sure to return with the rookie Hill on the mound.

Hopefully, the line up of Hill, Zambrano, and Marshall can hold off this nonsense for a few days longer. I'd prefer not to see the replays ad infinitum. I turn my head and hope.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Man...

... you beat me to it by four minutes. More on my thoughts on the main page.

by Al Yellon on May 8, 2006 9:23 AM CDT reply actions

And

ESPN is apparently just going to continue to pretend that no one has ever accused Bonds of cheating, so we can all hang out in shiny candy funland when he passes Ruth.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 8, 2006 9:36 AM CDT reply actions

Precisely.

See my main post for more on this.

by Al Yellon on May 8, 2006 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

Just read it now

I agree 100%

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 8, 2006 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions

not excusing bonds

but should we pretend that the Babe didn't play in an era where the owners conspired to keep black players out of the game, dramatically reducing the overall quality of his opponents? Should we pretend that nobody has ever accused Babe Ruth of using corked bats? Should we pretend that nobody else in baseball did steroids during this era and bonds has STILL been this much better than everyone else?

I really hope that Pujols breaks the record eventually just so we can put this issue to bed. Yes, he is a Cardinal but a great player has become the scapegoat for an entire generation of players who have done the same things he has. Not to mention the scapegoat for players from the era before, when Hank Aaron was playing, who used amphetamines. Bonds is getting blamed for everything and to borrow a quote from a different website...quit pretending like MLB is a saintly church and Bonds is the devil bringing it down.

It is wrong to naively cheer for Bonds as though there are no accusations. I concede that. However, if I could be there when he passes the Babe I would stand and cheer. I know he is a jerk. Yes, he is a conceited, cocky, jerk. It's true that he may have cheated. But, I will applaud.

There are many things to say to a person like Bonds if you could. You could ask him why he (probably) did steroids. You could ask him why he is such an ass to his fans. You could tell him what you think of his home run records and where to put them (or maybe shove them) if you were so inclined. But when it comes down to it, after saying those things to him, because I would, I would have to say that I respect his abilities. Babe Ruth is by far the greatest player of all time but I would say Bonds is right up there with Willie Mays. If you want to boo him, fine, I understand that. But, I would cheer for the greatest player I have seen play so far.

by tal1286 on May 8, 2006 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions

That reminds me...

... that a SABR member named Dan Heisman, keeper of a list called "Baseball's Active Leaders", once wrote this, after Bonds broke the single-season record:

I was listening to the local talk radio fans debate the legitimacy of Bonds' HR record and it struck me we could, semi-humorously, try to separate the HR records in accordance with their conditions. Now of course we could do this forever, so I tried to limit it to the most common major categories (major league record, LH/RH/SH together, etc). So - taking this all with a little humor - here is my list (yours may be slightly different according to what you believe...):

Most HR in a single season dead ball era: Ned Williamson 27, 1884
Most HR in a single season pre-color barrier: Babe Ruth 60, 1927
Most HR in a single season 154 game season, baseball open to anyone: Ralph Kiner 54, 1949 (this is an overlooked record!)
Most HR in a single season 162 game season, no questionable supplements: Roger Maris 61, 1961
Most HR in a single season 162 game season, no questionable supplements and not an expansion year: Alex Rodriguez 57, 2002 (another overlooked record)
Most HR in a single season, legal human growth hormones allowed: Mark McGwire 70, 1998
Most HR in a single season, any illegal or legal substance: Barry Bonds 73,
2002.

So maybe we need such a list for career achievements, too.

by Al Yellon on May 8, 2006 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I would love to see Pujols

fly right past Bonds, but stop short of Aaron. I have a special love for Aaron because of what he endured while chasing the record and the grace and class with which he has lived his life. But I agree, Pujols seems to be a clas act, and I hate him only because he's not on my team.

And no, I don't make excuses for the MLB keeping minorities out of the league, which is why I basically live in my Josh Gibson Gray's jersey on weekends.

I don't think any of us are saying that there hasn't always been cheating in baseball, or that we should ignore the injustices of the past. What I am saying is that, in Bonds, we have a major league ball-player who has admitted to cheating (his ridiculous "I thought it was flax seed oil" argument aside). Why isn't he worthy of denigration? Should we excuse any burglar caught now just because a lot of burglars have gotten away with it in the past? No. When you get caught, you pay the price. Bonds has been caught. He deserves whatever he gets. And for the record, I think Sosa and McGwire should get the same treatment, along with about 10 other guys who seem to fit the "Flax seed oil" bill to a T.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico!"--Harry Caray

by cubbiejulie on May 8, 2006 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

in case it wasn't clear

I'm very conflicted on bonds...

There are times when I think he is a cheater and don't want him to break the record...but there are also times when I stand in awe at his skill. Perhaps this is because I played baseball and it affects how much respect I have for player's abilities but I know that there are many other players who hate him all the same. I tried to make it clear that even though I would cheer, I am conflicted on all counts.

On further reflection...I think what bonds deserves is muted applause. I was at Michael Jordan's last game ever in Philadelphia when he was playing for the Wizards. I was very lucky to be able to go and see him (I moved from chicago to philly a few years back). The standing ovation lasted probably 5 minutes after he made his last free throw and before that, while he was sitting on the bench, the entire stadium chanted "we want mike" for several minutes until he decided to come back in the game. It was an incredible atmosphere and it was what a player who transcended the game deserved. Michael Jordan was the greatest of all time. He received the greatest respect I think a stadium of fans could possibly have paid him.

Regardless of your opinion of the steroid issue, make no mistake, Bonds is great player. I think he deserves recognition for his achievement of 715 if and when he passes the Babe. But, it can't be the same as when Jordan, playing for a visiting team, in Philly no less, a town who probably hated him during his playing career, receives the ovation he did. Bonds no longer deserves that much respect. Cheer for his achievements but make sure he knows that he has lost a measure of respect in America.

by tal1286 on May 8, 2006 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions