Barry Bonds Makes History
By Keith Boykin, in sports
Wednesday, August 8 2007, 12:39AM
It's official. Barry Bonds made history last night when he hit his 756th home run, making him the new home run king in Major League Baseball. (See the video.) With the swing of his bat in the fifth inning of a game against Washington, Bonds eclipsed Hank Aaron's longstanding record and earned a place as a baseball legend.
I don't care what anybody else says about Barry Bonds, he's still the champ. And until somebody can prove that he actually did something wrong, I'm not going to abandon him. As I recall, a lot of baseball fans stood by Pete Rose when he was accused of gambling on the game, and it wasn't until he actually got caught and admitted his crime that people finally gave up on Rose. I think Barry Bonds deserves the same benefit of the doubt.
Commissioner Bud Selig was wrong not to attend this game, just as he was wrong not to applaud when Bonds tied the record last week in San Diego. Look Commissioner, if you're going to let him play the game, then at least give him the common courtesy and dignity he deserves as a player. Otherwise, if you don't think he deserves to be playing, then get rid of him. But don't convict him without a hearing, and don't string him along.
This is a time of celebration for the fans in San Francisco. And it should be a time of celebration for baseball at large. But before the Bonds haters start posting asterisks next to his achievement, let them produce facts and concrete evidence that Bonds has done anything wrong other than putting on some muscle and becoming a better hitter over time. That's not against the law and it's not against the rules.
Henry Aaron did not attend the game last night, but he did issue a statement congratulating Bonds. "I would like to offer my congratulations to Barry Bonds on becoming baseball's career home run leader. It is a great accomplishment which required skill, longevity and determination. Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball, and I have been privileged to hold this record for 33 of those years. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historic achievement. My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams."
That was a classy thing to do. Too bad Aaron's friend Bud Selig didn't go to the same charm school, or to a good law school for that matter. In this country, people are innocent until proven guilty. So until someone proves otherwise, Barry Bonds is entitled to the respect he deserves as home run king of baseball.
Comments conceal
Steve
August 8 2007, 1:07AM
It doesn't really matter whether Bonds took steroids or not. I think they should keep two sets of stats - one for those who do, and one for those that don't. Oh, and the stats should include penis length, ball size, and life expectancy, since those are all affected. Just seeing those stats would keep people clean. Plus, it would be kind of fun to know, eh?
C.Lee
August 8 2007, 1:38AM
Kudos to Barry Bonds. Shame on all the haters.
SoCal
August 8 2007, 2:45AM
It was BEAUTIFUL to watch - just sailed into right field...
Congrats Barry - don't let up now!
Hamilton
August 8 2007, 3:26AM
I commend Mr. Aaron on his comments to Mr. Bond, though I have never been a fan of Mr. Bond throughout the years, I have always respected his talent but not his character at times (I have witness this personally). I will say this; Mr. Bond has contributed to the cloud of doubt over is head with the issue of using or not using steriods, not the public. I also believe in ones innocent until proven guilty, but why add to the suspicion with ridiculas statements concerning the issue. Can I give the man his props? Yes, and he well deserve it with help or without it, because I really don't care. For me, Mr. Aaron's record meant something more than just hitting a home run 755 times, it meant something to all the black kids back in the day and not to take anything away from Mr. Bond, for me it just doesn't feel the same. Peace
Derrick
August 8 2007, 10:14AM
He has a record, but, with an asterisk forever, and the Mitchell commission is still out. If he was not or did not come off as such a pompous, uncouth lout, maybe he would have more than 10% of the public thinking he's a great player instead of 90% thinking the steroid allegations are true.
A sad day for baseball fans and a true gentleman Hank Aaron who took the higher ground, but with a statement and not being there in person.
Blue
August 8 2007, 12:22PM
Good going. I saw the Nats and the Giants play last year, and you should have heard those white folks booing him - it hurt my feelings. Then, of course when he hit the ball, flash bulbs started popping and everybody cheered. He definitely has a love/hate relationship with many fans. Regardless, he gets kudos from me.
David
August 8 2007, 1:06PM
I often wonder how people and the media who chastise Barry Bonds don't seem to have any curiosity about the Hon. Governor Arnold Schwarzeneggar, R-California, and any links he may have to steriods.
Andy
August 8 2007, 2:23PM
Keith, I can see your point, but, since Bonds does not show the fans or the history of the pioneers or anyone human for that matter, or the game itself any respect, why should anyone do it for him and his tainted record, allegedly tainted, LOL!
Sorry, not at all impressed.
cmoney
August 8 2007, 2:48PM
I don't care too much for B. Bonds because he's an asshole, but he is deserving of the title Home Run King--without any asterisks. He has talent and he achieved his status by playing against other Steroid fueled baseball players. Why is everyone acting like he is the only one in baseball who has ever used steroids (assuming he did)? He has certainly hit some pitches thrown by some roided up pitchers. Does Babe Ruth get an asterisk for not having to play against Black players from the Negro Leagues? He never had to face Satchell Paige, now did he? If the leagues were integrated back in the day, we might not have ever heard of Babe Ruth. Put an asterisk next to that!
Troy
August 8 2007, 7:57PM
note to Keith: And what would you had done if you were the one who ended up with that game's ball?
dre'
August 8 2007, 8:32PM
There is a much larger issue here in my eyes. We all can look at the Pittsburgh Pirates Barry and the San Fran Giants and know that those are 2 different men. The facts are that through leaked grand jury testimony Bonds admitted to "unknowingly" taking the substance "CLEAR". Still thats not my issue, my issue is when Bonds hit number 755, his son ( a Giants ballboy) came rushing out to jump into his arms. Bonds then went over and kissed his little girl. The admiration and adoration that they had in their eyes was priceless. What do u do when the door comes open and all of skeletons fall out? How do u explain to your family, to your children that daddy not only lied but he cheated as well. It really does not matter what everyone else does, it is what you do. What did momma say" if someone jumps off a bridge........you know the rest.
Ron
August 8 2007, 8:35PM
I think Mike Wilbon summed it up best. "What Selig is doing, by just sitting there in some sky suite, is taking the easy non-confrontational way out. Implicitly, he’s blaming Bonds specifically and exclusively for baseball’s larger problem of steroid use, even though it’s a generational problem of which Bonds is a symptom but hardly the cause. Of course, there’s great irony in the fact that the pitcher who gave up the record-tying home run has tested positive for steroid use in the minor leagues. In this regard, the chickens have come home to roost; baseball is getting exactly what it deserves" No one had a problem in 98 when Sosa and McGwire were in the home run battle when fan interest in America's past time was at an all time low. Now they want to make Barry Bonds the poster boy for the steroid era. I don't think so.
Derrick
August 8 2007, 9:00PM
If Bonds could act like he had some home training for one minute, this allegation would be moot or folks would at least give him the benefit of the doubt. The true test is still history, and in his case to see if he actually makes he first ballot into the HOF, which at this point I doubt, just like McGuire, Sosa and the rest of this generation.
MelancholyGuy
August 8 2007, 9:14PM
I like a real fuckin' tight, macho, hardass, in-your-face kinda stuck up guy sometimes, with a big ol' bloated body like Bonds. I wonder if his nipples are sensitive...
He knocks me into left field.
dre'
August 8 2007, 9:21PM
It is interesting that you say that Derrick. Barry Bonds was a very good player b4 his metamorphosis and probably a lock for the hall of fame. Bonds got caught up in the "McGwire hoopla" and soon enough it has spiraled out of control. This transcends baseball though, this is a matter of life and health. Does anyone remember Lyle Alzado of the Raiders? The poster child for steriods, and it took his life. By the time of his death he looked like flava-flav on crack (can you imagine the horror of that picture). Don't follow someone's lead, lead by example. Be classy and honorable. The problem with sports today is that our athletes are not setting good examples. Whether it is Barry Bonds, Justin Gatlin, Michael Vick, Tank Johnson or Ron Artest. Is this what some money and a lil fame will do to you? Be smarter.
David
August 9 2007, 11:48AM
I agree with others that sports entertainment doesn't supply very many good role models.
Thank God we can look to politics and religion for that. LOL
jamaicajuice2001
August 9 2007, 1:06PM
The picture is bigger than meets the eye…whenever a black man is successful, folks will try to take him down at all costs---by using the tried and true ways of tempting him through sex or looking at his financial records using the IRS. They will try to discredit, malign or ruin you in anyway they can in order to keep you in your nigga “place”!
BITTER
August 9 2007, 8:13PM
Whenever a brother who is a star athlete and doesn't act like a total thug, they wanna fuck with them. I remember white people asking me if Grant Hill was gay, 'cause he was so well-mannered and articulate.
SoCal
August 9 2007, 9:14PM
My opinion, I'm not buying the media claims of his "loutish behavior." Everyone I know that has met him, who acts like they've got some sense, says he's a nice guy. Bonds has said he doesn't like sports media because he experienced first-hand their treatment of his Hall of Fame father in the decline of his career. Bonds is no angel off the field, but his is a reasonable reaction. Somehow, these so-called journalists erased their malfeasance from their collective memory.
They prefer male athletes of color smiling, eager to shake their hand, a little clownish and not too bright (female athletes of ANY color must look like Barbie). There are a few exceptions, but they really do not like a brotha who won't make them laugh and talk only about the sport. I recently saw an hour interview w/Bonds and his local FSN crew post 756- his intricate knowledge of every pitcher who's pitched to him, context of his skills as a player and pure admiration for his father blew me away. I wish they'd show more of that.
ChicagoChild
August 9 2007, 9:46PM
What is the name of that big red-headed White child, that the media was ignoring baseball great, Sammy Sosa for in the 90's?
A friend tells me that the year before, this red-headed Great White Hope was much smaller. He never got whupped for using steroids while the Whites were orgasming over him.
Good for Bonds. The fact that he exceeded his own dreams is good enough for me. White people simply have to deal with the fact that nobody gives a damn about their "race anger." It's been around forever and they sure look like losers for hugging it to them so tightly.
SoCal
August 9 2007, 11:48PM
@Chicago Child - Mark McGwuire. Steroids did some damage on him - he looks like one of those 80's monsters from GhostBusters.
"Sports personality" Jim Rome actually had the unmigated audacity to say Hank Aaron "sold out" by congratulating Bonds and was bought off in his via satellite appearance. Aaron, like Bonds, rarely speaks to the press but has said all along he has no problem whatsoever with the new home-run king.
Divide and conquer isn't working for them, and they're pissed.
Race anger, indeed.
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