MLB Bullets Honors A Legend

My first real baseball memory was probably the death of Roberto Clemente. (Or maybe Joe Rudi's catch in the World Series a few months before, if you consider that worth a "memory.") So you likely know that my second baseball memory was Henry Aaron's chase of Base Ruth's record. I have a distinct memory of watching TV and having a "Special Report" interrupt the show to say that Aaron had hit his 713th home run. That was the year before. And of course I remember seeing Aaron break Ruth's record, even if I'm not sure if I saw it live.

When he played for the Brewers a few years later, I did get the honor of seeing Aaron hit a home run.

• For the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron hitting his 715th home run, the Braves had an on-field ceremony to commemorate the event. MLB.com has the video.
• Terence Moore has a memory of that event and of the man who made it special. He also notes how different people reacted to Aaron back then than they do today and says America should be grateful.
• Bob Nightengale talks to Aaron and he remembers the day, but he also wants to speak his mind about the racism he faced back in 1974 and the racism that continues today. Never one to check his swing, Aaron says "The bigger difference is that back then they had hoods. Now they have neckties and starched shirts."
• Tom Verducci uses the anniversary as an opportunity to praise Aaron and blast Barry Bonds, insisting that Aaron is "the true HR king."
• Chris Davis says the same thing, although it does kind of sound like he was pushed in that direction by whomever was talking to him.
• Craig Calcaterra, as you might expect, thinks this "counterfactual" thinking is "nonsense." You may not like the fact that Barry Bonds hit 762 home runs, but the fact remains that he did.
• Joe Posnanski agrees, and says that calling Aaron the "home run king" is demeaning and diminishes what a great ballplayer Aaron was. He says that Aaron was such a great all-around hitter (and player) that you shouldn't just remember him for his home runs. And just as Babe Ruth became no less great when Aaron hit number 715, Aaron's star shined just as brightly the day after Bonds hit number 756.
• Craig Sager is probably best known these days for wearing goofy jackets at NBA games, but 40 years ago he was a young reporter who rushed onto the field trying to get an interview with Aaron as he crossed home plate. He shares his memories of that day and notes that security is a lot tighter these days.
• Speaking of sluggers from Milwaukee, Phillies fans showed up for their home opener and roundly booed Ryan Braun. So he hit three home runs against them in a Brewers win. Don't make Ryan Braun angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.
• As long as we're on things that make me angry, some genius, and I use that term sarcastically, claim that research shows that Cardinals fans are the most loyal in baseball.
• If that didn't get your blood pressure high enough, Howard Megdal checks out the new Cardinals Hall of Fame and says the current team is just a continuation of baseball history. Those Cardinals think they're so special . . .but some of those exhibits do look pretty interesting. Who doesn't like Bob Gibson? Curt Flood? And Yadier Molina is awfully fun to watch play these days . . . STOP IT! That's how they brainwash you!
• If you want another anniversary to make you feel old, it was also 30 years ago yesterday that Dwight Gooden made his first appearance for the Mets.
• I guess now is as good a time as any for the butcher's bill. Rays pitcher Matt Moore is off to see Dr. James Andrews after an MRI on his left elbow was "inconclusive." I suppose that's better news than most people going to see Dr. Andrews have, but still worrisome.
• Mets closer Bobby Parnell had successful Tommy John surgery on his right arm. He had hoped to heal his arm through rehab, but eventually opted for the surgery.
• There's now questions about Angels reliever Brian Moran. He's also going to have Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the season.
• Among the most dangerous occupations in America is pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He won't need Tommy John surgery but Joe Saunders is headed to the DL after taking a comebacker off his ankle.
• Jack Moore thinks Yu Darvish setting the record for the fastest to 500 strikeouts is more of a warning than a cause for celebration. Maybe, but Darvish is older than the previous record holders were.
• Ryan Zimmerman isn't going to the DL, but his injuries may force a move to first base, which would have repercussions throughout the Nationals lineup.
• Omar Infante was struck in the jaw by a Heath Bell pitch, but the Royals are optimistic he can avoid going to the DL.
• The Dodgers held a ceremony for the late Dr. Frank Jobe.
• Ricky Renteria may have made this article seem dated, but Grant Brisbee wonders if instant replay has put an end to managerial ejections. In the end, Brisbee says "no," so Renteria just makes him look good in the end.
• It didn't end in an ejection, but there was an interesting argument between Rays manager Joe Maddon and umpire Phil Cuzzi in last night's game.
• Jon Heyman thinks it's time that the Mets commit to Lucas Duda and send Ike Davis packing.
• Heyman also wonders what in the world are the Indians thinking by not extending Justin Masterson?And he's not the only one, he writes.
• The Giants have broken off contract negotiations with Pablo Sandoval. So it looks like the Panda will be migrating this winter.
• The Orioles always look on the bright side of life, writes Richard Justice.
• Except when someone runs out onto the field. Adam Jones hates that.
• The Mariners are finding that Robinson Cano contributes almost as much off the field as he does on it.
• Well, this is an awkward transition. And speaking of awkward, here's the story behind the confrontation between the Cleveland Indians fan wearing warpaint and a headdress and a Native American protester. It doesn't sound like he's a bad guy, just pretty ignorant of the meaning of what he's doing. (h/t Hardball Talk)
• Rob Neyer offers his take on the whole "seven-inning games" thing.
• If you remember, the minor league ballpark in Grand Rapids, Michigan was badly damaged in a fire this past winter. Here's a photo essay that shows the progress from the burning fire to getting it ready for opening day.
• Why the clock at Nationals Park has no hands. No, it's not a digital clock. Nor is it a sundial. As it turns out, they bought it at Walgreen's.
• If you thought "Clark the Cub" was bad, check out the new Dodgers mascot. Oops. Sorry. It's not a mascot. It's a "unique performance character." And my GI Joes are "action figures" and not dolls, too. With the Dodgers and the Cubs succumbing, only the Angels and Yankees do not have "unique performance characters" although in truth, the Angels have the Rally Monkey up on the Jumbotron. And the Yankees used to have one.
• Here's something I find interesting. Fangraphs looked at Baseball America's list of "Best tools" on pitchers in a system (meaning which minor leaguer has the best curve, etc.) from 2005 to 2009 and asks which "Best tools" had the best careers? "Best fastball" pitchers were more likely to make the majors but "best curve" pitchers had better careers.
• Michael Baumann has some fun with small sample sizes. Ladies and Gentleman, your AL MVP Josh Hamilton!
• It's the 25th anniversary of the movie Major League. Jim Caple looks back at all the Indians and asks "where are they (fictionally) now?"
• This isn't fictional. Mike Oz of Big League Stew actually tracks down what happened to Jobu. Yahoo! has a lot of stuff there on the anniversary of Major League. So if you're like a buddy of mine and can recite the entire movie from memory, you should dig around and check some of that out.
• Finally, I try to avoid the MLB Network's "Intentional Talk," although I find that I don't succeed all that often. But I did miss this interview with Joey Votto wearing his Canadian Mounties uniform. Votto explains what it's like to be a Mountie and a Cincinnati Red at the same time.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.