He's about to break the record. Would you go to Wrigley if he comes to town one shy of Hank? Would you cheer or jeer?
Posted by Roman Modrowski on July 6, 2007 11:23 AM|Permalink
Comments
I dont like the guy, he was personally standoffish at a Maxim allstar game party at Navy Pier, but, I'd watch, and I would probably like to see it happen. No booing or cheering though.
Roman responds: Yeah, me too. I'd like to be there when it happens. It's going to be a huge event regardless of what you think.
Barry Bonds is the greatest baseball player to ever put on a uniform. In my youth, I witnessed what I feel is Baseballs greatest era, from the 1960's right up to the strike year of 1982. And I've seen a lot of the old greats playing into and well beyond they're prime. Basebal history is littered with many malcontents. Many of the great ones did not endear themselves to fans or media. If you judge a player by his accomplishments on the field, then I repeat myself, hands down Barry is the best to ever put on a uniform. And to answer your question, I'd love to be present at that game and I'd cheer as loud as anyone.
Barry's a living legend it's just to bad he's not appreciated while he's playing. Look at the one year wonders littered throughout baseball. The game processes players through they're farm systems faster than a fast food restaurant prepares an alleged burger.
I think if you played sports you realize that just being able to work out harder doesnt really improve your eye hand coordination, if anything it ruins it.
Dont you think that anyone has ever has a better batters eye?
I think i read he has over 2500 BB's and has been intentionally walked over 675 times. Thats CRAY Z!
Barry is a human being. Lots of human beings have taken steroids. Zero human beings have broken Aaron's hallowed mark.
It's a big deal. I'll give him his credit where credit is due... begrudgingly. Heck, I'd take steroids too if I could hit 800 Jimmy Jack Johnsons. I'd boo him just because he isn't on the Cubs so that kind of cancels out the query altogether.
Athletes should have no doping laws to abide by anyway. It'd be more interesting. Imagine football games with everyone completely juiced and 'roid raging. Amazing.
The Tour de France champ could just pump testosterone, EPO, and and all the meth he wants then finish the tour in 4 days. No banned substance. We need to start the revolution. Grassroots.
And we should bring back The Gladiatoral Games. The Romans had it figured out.
I say there's no way this happens on the road. When he gets within 1, he'll come down with a strained muscle or something. Baseball doesn't want to see it's all-time HR king booed.
Mark my words...
Roman responds: No question you're right, it was just a hypothetical.
Barry Bonds sucks. How do we go from Hank to Barry? It seems like going from Saint to Sinner.........how can anyone expect the fans to be happy about that?
As for cheering or jeering, if they break into my program to say he just broke the record, I will turn on the Playstation 2 until Barry goes off.
Bonds is a cheater, a racist and the biggest jerk in the history of the game. He is 10 times the racist that John Rocker was yet he has been given a free pass on it and he loves every minute of it.
I see a lot of 20 something year olds who are clueless about the history of the game and are more interested in image and even a-hole behavior. They were raised in an era of obnoxious sports figures and celebrities and they not only accept it they even encourage it.
They think that the fools on jack a$$ have real talent and that Paris Hilton is relevant.
and they will cheer for him no matter what just like the idiots who cheered O.J. Simpson while he was fleeing the police.
That is the reason why some people think that this turd is “Awesome” and deserves your applause. Barry Bonds would spit in the face of every person who worships him and they don’t get it or they don’t care.
This is sad moment in sports
philtration.........for the last time.......................minorities can't be racist! Do you even know what it means? He might be prejudiced (against idiots maybe).....but you will never ever ever ever find one court case where a black person was convicted of 'racism'. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Bonds is a cheater, a racist and the biggest jerk in the history of the game. He is 10 times the racist that John Rocker was yet he has been given a free pass on it and he loves every minute of it."
Indeed ... but he has a long way to go if he wants to catch up to Ty Cobb.
Roman responds: That wasn't Julie. Mark, you should know this by now, the author is underneath the post. Like when you post, your name is underneath the dotted line. That was Philtration.
surely records are made to be broken and like McGuire's single season record when Bonds breaks Aaron's career record it will always carry with it the stigma of steriod use among other arguments such as is the ball livlier than in Hank's day? has the quality of pitching deteriorated with expansion?
unlike Hank, Bond's is not a likable charismatic individual. there is no way you can deny Bond's has great hand eye co-ordination but you can question all day lng where his power comes from. does it come from a solid work ethic alone or is it bottled? regardless the true shame is that the new record will be held by someone not worthy of looking up to and emulating.
Roman responds: That wasn't Julie. Mark, you should know this by now, the author is underneath the post. Like when you post, your name is underneath the dotted line. That was Philtration.
A slip of the mouse, after a few two many.
But when it comes to racists, nobody can beat Ty Cobb.
You're right, Roman. I'm sure the legions of fans in bleachers are going to bring in fake balls to throw back when the Giants are in town. Why waste good beer money? I should give credit where credit is due. And yeah, Mark - that wasn't my comment. You guys should all know by now my comments are way more witty and insightful than that, and I'd never use a word like turd. I'd say something like:
In staying true to his selfish a-hole form, Barry is not going to participate in the Home Run Derby in his home ball park. At least he's consistent. I'm starting to pull for A-Rod to break what will soon be Barry's record. Now that's sad.
The Cubs haved served up enough historic home runs: McGwire's passing of Maris and Sosa's 600th. On general principle, Barry should see nothing in the strike zone. Barry's 756th should be nowhere near Wrigley Field.
Whenever he breaks the record I will sigh and shrug, because it's largely meaningless at this point. The fact that we even have to take pause and ask if this is a moment we *should* celebrate says it all.
Personally I think it would be fitting to have Barry inducted into the Hall of Fame at the same time as Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.
BARRY - HANK - SAMMY-FRANK- TIGER- VENUS - SERINA -ALI- MICHEAL- PAYTON- Under inordinate circumstances and impeded by racist like some of you, do you really think the steriods issue even matters, 1355 intentinal walks, get a grip, absorb the history be glad you are alive in this time. Your bigotry will consume you like a cancer from inside out. GO BARRY GO! hail to Hank and Ruth.
The man is an incredible baalplayer whether he takes steroids or not. I think many players have taken steroids, but none have come close to Barry Bonds' accomplishments, regardless of their ethnic origins. Even so, I'd have trouble cheering.
Barry Bonds has been the sacrificial lamb for the witch-hunt that is the Major League Baseball steroids "controversy".
Contrary to popular perception, steroids do not make a person faster, or stronger, or able to hit a baseball farther. And there have never been any studies done that prove otherwise.
However, there HAVE been studies done that prove that the baseballs used by Major League Baseball ARE JUICED (designed to fly farther when struck with a bat). Just Google "juiced baseballs" +study, and you'll see what I mean here.
Juiced baseballs gave rise to the explosion in home runs, evidenced with a vengeance in 1998 during Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa'a assault on Roger Maris's longstanding single season record. And there is a staggering amount of evidence to support this "conspiracy theory". Just take a look at the online Baseball Almanac for starters (www.baseball-almanac.com), and look at the single season home run totals for Major League Baseball, from year to year. You will immediately see outrageous "spikes" in home run totals, during specific years.
If you take the time to do this, and apply some critical thinking to the issue, you will come to the obvious conclusion that baseballs have been juiced periodically, in order to increase home run totals and thereby boost overall interest in Major League Baseball - while boosting attendance as well.
I admire Barry Bonds for putting up with the relentless assault on his personal integrity, not to mention his privacy. And I also admire him for somehow resisting the urge to strangle all of the brain-dead, lapdog journalists who swallow Major League Baseball's "party line" on the steroids scam - harassing Bonds non-stop, just as they have been instructed to do. Bonds himself, in an interview given from the Giants' spring-training dugout a couple of springs back, said, "Don't you guys know that baseballs are juiced."
He wasn't lying when he said this.
If you don't believe that baseballs have been, and are being, juiced, in order to generate more home runs, just go look at the Baseball Almanac's year-to-year statistics on home run totals. It's hilarious. Home run totals have increased by as much as 50% in A SINGLE SEASON.
And this has been going on since the 1960's.
Think Roger Maris was taking steroids when he hit 61? Think again. Better still, examine the statistics, examine all the evidence on the subject, and THEN make up your mind. (Because if you don't do this, your mind has already been made up for you.)
Bonds is someone who should be admired. He has been crucified, over and over again, in order to create a cover story for the real villain here - the owners and top executives of Major League Baseball.
I don't know if any one player is the greatest of all time because with every era of every sport, there comes along another great.
I don't have a problem with Barry Bonds.
I think he's a wonderful player and he is certainly not be the first jerk or difficult player when it comes to the press that has played major league baseball.
Personally, I wonder how many of his detractors, critics and down right haters could perform whatever job they might have under the scrutiny, criticism, booing and hateful comments that Bonds endures on every road trip outside of San Francisco?
Whether or not he deserves it is not the point.
I'm not sure many could pull that off and when you conside on any given moment he can take any pitcher out of the ball park at 42, and now without any use of performance enhancing drugs (if he ever used any in the first place) that's something to marvel at. Like him or not.....
Don't get the Bonds is racist comment . . . he's made mention of his perception of the way he's been regarded by some others, that's all. (When talking about racists in the game, let's focus on the real racists like Ty Cobb, or Cap Anson for that matter Cubs fans.) Doesn't mean he's not a jerk, but he's also far from the first . . . Mark McGuire, anyone? And as far as seeing Hank Aaron as a saint and Bonds as a sinner, Aaron along with many other ballplayers of his time made frequent use of illegal pills like 'black beauties' and their kin.
Sorry but I do indeed know the definition of the word racist. It is...
RACIST
"adjective
1. based on racial intolerance; "racist remarks"
2. discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion
noun
1. A person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others”
Bonds has made his views on race very clear many times over the years and trying to sugar coat it or put some moronic spin on it is not going to change the fact.
I will stand by my original comment about Bonds because he is indeed a racist and anyone who believes that any person who is not white is not capable of being a racist is not only a racist himself but a complete idiot as well.
Get a clue.
I will still consider the genuine record to be Hank Aaron's. I will be indifferent to Bonds and be glad as he retires shortly after breaking the record. Heck, he even may call it quits right after that game because that is all that is important to the man at this point. The interesting thing will be when AROD approaches his record. Will Bonds try to make a comeback at age 50 or so? Regardless, with all the steroid talk, 5-10 years after Barry retires will be the telling truth. How does his body hold-up? Will he have a lot of problems that steriod users have as they age? It's a good point to bring up. Everyone wants answers now. The answers will come in due time I believe.
"In staying true to his selfish a-hole form, Barry is not going to participate in the Home Run Derby in his home ball park. At least he's consistent."
There's also a columnist (who's name I'll not mention) bemoaning the fact that Bonds is sitting out the Home Run Derby.
My money says that if Bonds had decided to participate, this very same scribe would be wailing that Barry's presence in the contest makes a mockery of the event, and that Bonds should have had the decency to remove himself the competition.
Some of you people are funny. Everyone here is trumpeting the great image of Hank Aaron. I'm a black man and I applaud him for being strong enough to deal with what he did back in the '70's. With all that swirled around him, he stood up and did something that some people would have folded under. But, none of you know him. If some of you existed during that time, you would have been throwing the same venom at him as you are at Barry. Fact is, the only one speaking of Barry in this negative connotation is the media and all of the sheep just follow along. Fact is, 2 million people decided he was worthy to start. This is an indictment on the constant media speculation that has led to nothing more than just that. Fact is, this so called grand jury indictment has been days away for at least 730 days. The IRS is still going to happen, yeah, I'll wait on it. Since Barry was voted in, Yahoo has recycled a bunch of old articles on "The Game of Shadows", asked about who would topple Barry after he breaks Aaron's records and pretty much stated that it doesn't matter we don't like him. Neifi Perez just tested positive for a banned substance but is he even going to hit 100 homers for his career? Look at how far Giambi has fallen and he's an admitted steroid abuser. He can't get on the field and when he's there, he's ineffective. Bonds could be considered for MVP at this point. 299 BA, 17 HR, 47 RBI, 42 runs, 5 SB, 91 walks, 1.115 OPS. His OPS is almost 500 pts higher than the next guy. He is still the most feared hitter in baseball. How do we know that Hank didn't use amphetamines during his playing career like some of the older players have admitted to. Fact is, in his old age he has become as bad as the Veteran's committee which will not vote anyone into the Hall including the beloved and deserving Ron Santo. An old, surly man that is still admittedly bitter about what he went through while breaking Ruth's record. I have one question, if Barry was white, would any of you be even questioning his integrity? Please don't bring up Mark Mcgwire either. When he was busted with Andro in his locker at the height of his popularity and it was widely reported, none of you were even the least bit outraged. Bonds is the greatest hitter I've ever seen. A lot of experts and players acknowledge this. That is all that I need. Most of you and these media clowns are just opinion givers.
Out!
once again I see that stuckinwisconsin has proven he has cheese for brains. where is it written that a minority can not be a racist? isn't the definition of a racist ANY person that hates another person or persons because of thier race or color? maybe stuckinwisconsin's dictionary has as many holes in it as a block of swiss cheese.
Well so what if Cobb was a "racist," that had nothing to do with his incredible baseball ability, insightfulness and understanding of the game. He was the best EVER, especially considering the era he played in. Now as far as the home run record goes, it's too bad Griffey spent so much time on the DL or he would have broken the record already, and there would have been no controversy at all.
noun
1. A person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others”
Philtration, you cannot tell me that you think that Barry believes his RACE is superior??? I don't usually agree with Stuckinwisconsin, but he is right. It is technically impossible for a "minority" to be a racist because that is about power coming from the majority, not the minority. I wonder who is in the majority in America???? Despite being called the "melting pot" what race has EVERY president been???
I know Barry has been a colossal jerk. I personally didn't like how he passed over those white children to sign autographs for black children. That is MORALLY wrong. But if you don't like that - YOU MUST COMPLETELY HATE AMERICA. But i know you don't hate America, juuuuuust BARRY. That my friends is called hyposcrisy. Quit acting like you care about what's equal and fair.
StuckinWI posts to get a reaction. I suspect he is a mad at the world post office worker based on his comments. I loved his reponse that no black person has been tried in court for being "racist". Ignorance rules on this planet!
Thankfully there are people like him...because dopes like him make up more than 50% of the population in this country, it helps others like me thrive!!!
Reece, I'd like Jr's chances if it weren't for his age and tendency to get injured. A-Rod is only 31 and having a monster season. He's on a faster track than Jr.
Mark, for the record, I realize I'm not the "scribe" you're talking about, but I'd very much like to see Barry fill the empty National League spot in the Derby. I would find that gesture slightly redeeming.
This is not specifically about Barry Bonds. I just wonder if other Cub fans are wondering about the current catchers. What good is being a switch-hitter if you cannot hit from either side of the plate? That seems to be the case with both active Cub catchers. I hope Blanco gets well soon or that the right-handed bat they're looking for is a catcher batting .300 plus. Obviously, the Cubs did not get their money's worth on the Barrett deal.
I remember seeing Bonds take Bartolo Colon deep at Comiskey in a situation in which he had no business pitching to Bonds (it was 2003). I didn't care then I and I don't care now. In no way do I want to see the record of Hank Aaron, one of the classiest and consistently productive players in the history of baseball, be broken by a man who comes across as self involved, oblivious and distant. I don't want anyone other than Aaron at the top of the home run list, but it's inevitable so I'd rather just get it over with so i don't have to hear about it anymore. Maybe he can enter the home run derby tonight, blast five over the wall and we can count those toward his total. Then he gets what he wants -- the record -- and everyone outside of San Francisco gets what they want -- Barry Bonds off the airwaves.
Great summary and write up! However, as a sportsfan I don't like Barry Bonds and really don't care what color he is. Cheaters don't have a 'color', they're just cheaters. That said, I hope he never eclipses the record.
Drew I like your post, but I won't you to consider Ernest's post that says Hank was a jerk. And I ask - what is so wrong with that? Don't be naieve, you catch ANYONE at the right time on any given day and you might not like what you see. Barry lives in a fishbowl, with folks recording every single thing he does wrong. YOU NEVER READ ABOUT ANYTHING he's done right though. As if he's an evil guy lurking about Feindishly laughing "HEE-HEE-HAH-HAH-HAAAH!!!" (like in old movies) You cannot believe all of that stuff. Barry doesn't handle it well, and instead of ignoring it, he feeds it - and goes home to his support group. All of the new stars have learned to keep all of that stuff as business. Reporters broke the story about Tyrus Thomas saying a whole lot of bad things about appearing in the dunk contest, you believe that defines him as a person? I heard ole hammering Hank on ESPN radio spinelessly commenting about how he won't be there when Barry breaks his record. If that is not JERK material, I don't know what is??? And I heard that from HANK, who is cowering to the media pressure to HURT Barry! ONE radio session and ole Hank is looking as Jerkish as Barry!!! Even the Commissioner was affraid of the bullies and said he doesn't know if he will be there. Barry has'nt done a THANG to any of these guys. And he surely didn't lift one finger to come after KIRK SCHILLING, who publicly slandered Barry. Had a great case and didn't say a word.
Honestly, I think Barry Bonds is more of a red neck than a Racist. Look at his earRing....you show me the person that is still rocking the 'Great America Ride Attendant Dangling Gold Cross Ear Ring', circa 1983, and Ill show you a bonified red neck.
Another cross over move, he got rid of the GeriCurl. First Sammy, then Ice Cube....then Barry....Cross overs man...what up with that?
Keith
Here's the one thing that, as a white person, really has me scratching my head. Hank went through through pure hell 20+ years ago (and I'm sure before that). Despite all of the racist letters, death threats, etc, Aaron was almost regal in the way he handled, even to this day.
Let me over-generalize for a minute. I would think that most of "black america" would think of Hank like the
Comments
I dont like the guy, he was personally standoffish at a Maxim allstar game party at Navy Pier, but, I'd watch, and I would probably like to see it happen. No booing or cheering though.
Roman responds: Yeah, me too. I'd like to be there when it happens. It's going to be a huge event regardless of what you think.
Posted by: bculz | July 6, 2007 12:01 PM
Barry Bonds is the greatest baseball player to ever put on a uniform. In my youth, I witnessed what I feel is Baseballs greatest era, from the 1960's right up to the strike year of 1982. And I've seen a lot of the old greats playing into and well beyond they're prime. Basebal history is littered with many malcontents. Many of the great ones did not endear themselves to fans or media. If you judge a player by his accomplishments on the field, then I repeat myself, hands down Barry is the best to ever put on a uniform. And to answer your question, I'd love to be present at that game and I'd cheer as loud as anyone.
Barry's a living legend it's just to bad he's not appreciated while he's playing. Look at the one year wonders littered throughout baseball. The game processes players through they're farm systems faster than a fast food restaurant prepares an alleged burger.
Posted by: NoT-A-Cub Fan Since 1989 | July 6, 2007 01:17 PM
I think if you played sports you realize that just being able to work out harder doesnt really improve your eye hand coordination, if anything it ruins it.
Dont you think that anyone has ever has a better batters eye?
I think i read he has over 2500 BB's and has been intentionally walked over 675 times. Thats CRAY Z!
Posted by: bculz | July 6, 2007 02:33 PM
Barry is a human being. Lots of human beings have taken steroids. Zero human beings have broken Aaron's hallowed mark.
It's a big deal. I'll give him his credit where credit is due... begrudgingly. Heck, I'd take steroids too if I could hit 800 Jimmy Jack Johnsons. I'd boo him just because he isn't on the Cubs so that kind of cancels out the query altogether.
Athletes should have no doping laws to abide by anyway. It'd be more interesting. Imagine football games with everyone completely juiced and 'roid raging. Amazing.
The Tour de France champ could just pump testosterone, EPO, and and all the meth he wants then finish the tour in 4 days. No banned substance. We need to start the revolution. Grassroots.
And we should bring back The Gladiatoral Games. The Romans had it figured out.
Posted by: Clint Clack! | July 6, 2007 02:36 PM
I say there's no way this happens on the road. When he gets within 1, he'll come down with a strained muscle or something. Baseball doesn't want to see it's all-time HR king booed.
Mark my words...
Roman responds: No question you're right, it was just a hypothetical.
Posted by: Jeffrey | July 6, 2007 03:01 PM
I think any Cub fan would never forget a moment like Bonds breaking Aaron's record.
Posted by: Anthony Caldwell | July 6, 2007 03:41 PM
Would you cheer or jeer?
Posted by Roman Modrowski on July 6, 2007 11:23 AM | Permalink
Mr. Bonds, when you break the record, here it is! Clap-clap! Nothing personal, I just like Mr. Hank Aaron better.
Mr. Sosa, when you hit number 600, I simply clap-clap!
Mr Frank Thomas, I am still clapping & cheering.
Regardless of what I think all of you have acheive what most would call boyhood dreams.
Take care brotha Barry.
Posted by: Douglas | July 6, 2007 05:06 PM
Barry Bonds sucks. How do we go from Hank to Barry? It seems like going from Saint to Sinner.........how can anyone expect the fans to be happy about that?
As for cheering or jeering, if they break into my program to say he just broke the record, I will turn on the Playstation 2 until Barry goes off.
Posted by: Bryant | July 6, 2007 05:34 PM
I'm a fan of baseball, and this guy has given me a lot of it. WISH I could be there.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | July 6, 2007 07:08 PM
If he hits it at Wrigley, do you think they will throw it back?
Roman responds: They'll throw back a fake. No way someone throws back that much money.
Posted by: Julie B. | July 6, 2007 07:40 PM
Bonds is a cheater, a racist and the biggest jerk in the history of the game. He is 10 times the racist that John Rocker was yet he has been given a free pass on it and he loves every minute of it.
I see a lot of 20 something year olds who are clueless about the history of the game and are more interested in image and even a-hole behavior. They were raised in an era of obnoxious sports figures and celebrities and they not only accept it they even encourage it.
They think that the fools on jack a$$ have real talent and that Paris Hilton is relevant.
and they will cheer for him no matter what just like the idiots who cheered O.J. Simpson while he was fleeing the police.
That is the reason why some people think that this turd is “Awesome” and deserves your applause. Barry Bonds would spit in the face of every person who worships him and they don’t get it or they don’t care.
This is sad moment in sports
Posted by: Philtration | July 6, 2007 09:59 PM
philtration.........for the last time.......................minorities can't be racist! Do you even know what it means? He might be prejudiced (against idiots maybe).....but you will never ever ever ever find one court case where a black person was convicted of 'racism'. PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: stuckinwisconsin | July 6, 2007 11:28 PM
Julie sez:
"Bonds is a cheater, a racist and the biggest jerk in the history of the game. He is 10 times the racist that John Rocker was yet he has been given a free pass on it and he loves every minute of it."
Indeed ... but he has a long way to go if he wants to catch up to Ty Cobb.
Roman responds: That wasn't Julie. Mark, you should know this by now, the author is underneath the post. Like when you post, your name is underneath the dotted line. That was Philtration.
Posted by: Mark | July 7, 2007 02:03 AM
Philtration , has spoken!
The quiet voice in the crowd has woken.
He is not alone , I agree.
Posted by: Admirer | July 7, 2007 02:13 AM
You people didn't know Hank Aaron.
You are the same people that Booed Hank Aaron(Non black)
You find any excuse or anyone that agree with you in print-Including Hank Aaron- But you are a RACIST PUNK....live with it.
Posted by: Admirer | July 7, 2007 02:22 AM
You people didn't know Hank Aaron.
You are the same people that Booed Hank Aaron(Non black)
You find any excuse or anyone that agree with you in print-Including Hank Aaron- But you are a RACIST PUNK....live with it.....
The comish of Baseball is Older than I.
He is an "Old School" racist.
I saw Sammy have to answer for Mark McGuire taking juice on T.V .
As long as the record was white,it did not matter.
Get over it...Racist.
Posted by: Admirer | July 7, 2007 02:30 AM
surely records are made to be broken and like McGuire's single season record when Bonds breaks Aaron's career record it will always carry with it the stigma of steriod use among other arguments such as is the ball livlier than in Hank's day? has the quality of pitching deteriorated with expansion?
unlike Hank, Bond's is not a likable charismatic individual. there is no way you can deny Bond's has great hand eye co-ordination but you can question all day lng where his power comes from. does it come from a solid work ethic alone or is it bottled? regardless the true shame is that the new record will be held by someone not worthy of looking up to and emulating.
Posted by: Tim Little | July 7, 2007 08:52 AM
Roman responds: That wasn't Julie. Mark, you should know this by now, the author is underneath the post. Like when you post, your name is underneath the dotted line. That was Philtration.
A slip of the mouse, after a few two many.
But when it comes to racists, nobody can beat Ty Cobb.
Posted by: Mark | July 7, 2007 09:04 AM
You're right, Roman. I'm sure the legions of fans in bleachers are going to bring in fake balls to throw back when the Giants are in town. Why waste good beer money? I should give credit where credit is due. And yeah, Mark - that wasn't my comment. You guys should all know by now my comments are way more witty and insightful than that, and I'd never use a word like turd. I'd say something like:
In staying true to his selfish a-hole form, Barry is not going to participate in the Home Run Derby in his home ball park. At least he's consistent. I'm starting to pull for A-Rod to break what will soon be Barry's record. Now that's sad.
Posted by: Julie B. | July 7, 2007 09:08 AM
The Cubs haved served up enough historic home runs: McGwire's passing of Maris and Sosa's 600th. On general principle, Barry should see nothing in the strike zone. Barry's 756th should be nowhere near Wrigley Field.
Whenever he breaks the record I will sigh and shrug, because it's largely meaningless at this point. The fact that we even have to take pause and ask if this is a moment we *should* celebrate says it all.
Personally I think it would be fitting to have Barry inducted into the Hall of Fame at the same time as Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.
Posted by: Mark Tardi | July 7, 2007 11:33 AM
BARRY - HANK - SAMMY-FRANK- TIGER- VENUS - SERINA -ALI- MICHEAL- PAYTON- Under inordinate circumstances and impeded by racist like some of you, do you really think the steriods issue even matters, 1355 intentinal walks, get a grip, absorb the history be glad you are alive in this time. Your bigotry will consume you like a cancer from inside out. GO BARRY GO! hail to Hank and Ruth.
Posted by: Reece | July 7, 2007 11:34 AM
The man is an incredible baalplayer whether he takes steroids or not. I think many players have taken steroids, but none have come close to Barry Bonds' accomplishments, regardless of their ethnic origins. Even so, I'd have trouble cheering.
Posted by: Paul Manter | July 7, 2007 12:08 PM
Barry Bonds has been the sacrificial lamb for the witch-hunt that is the Major League Baseball steroids "controversy".
Contrary to popular perception, steroids do not make a person faster, or stronger, or able to hit a baseball farther. And there have never been any studies done that prove otherwise.
However, there HAVE been studies done that prove that the baseballs used by Major League Baseball ARE JUICED (designed to fly farther when struck with a bat). Just Google "juiced baseballs" +study, and you'll see what I mean here.
Juiced baseballs gave rise to the explosion in home runs, evidenced with a vengeance in 1998 during Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa'a assault on Roger Maris's longstanding single season record. And there is a staggering amount of evidence to support this "conspiracy theory". Just take a look at the online Baseball Almanac for starters (www.baseball-almanac.com), and look at the single season home run totals for Major League Baseball, from year to year. You will immediately see outrageous "spikes" in home run totals, during specific years.
If you take the time to do this, and apply some critical thinking to the issue, you will come to the obvious conclusion that baseballs have been juiced periodically, in order to increase home run totals and thereby boost overall interest in Major League Baseball - while boosting attendance as well.
I admire Barry Bonds for putting up with the relentless assault on his personal integrity, not to mention his privacy. And I also admire him for somehow resisting the urge to strangle all of the brain-dead, lapdog journalists who swallow Major League Baseball's "party line" on the steroids scam - harassing Bonds non-stop, just as they have been instructed to do. Bonds himself, in an interview given from the Giants' spring-training dugout a couple of springs back, said, "Don't you guys know that baseballs are juiced."
He wasn't lying when he said this.
If you don't believe that baseballs have been, and are being, juiced, in order to generate more home runs, just go look at the Baseball Almanac's year-to-year statistics on home run totals. It's hilarious. Home run totals have increased by as much as 50% in A SINGLE SEASON.
And this has been going on since the 1960's.
Think Roger Maris was taking steroids when he hit 61? Think again. Better still, examine the statistics, examine all the evidence on the subject, and THEN make up your mind. (Because if you don't do this, your mind has already been made up for you.)
Bonds is someone who should be admired. He has been crucified, over and over again, in order to create a cover story for the real villain here - the owners and top executives of Major League Baseball.
Posted by: Chris Ullman | July 7, 2007 01:28 PM
A. - who? you better start thinking Jr.
Posted by: Reece | July 7, 2007 03:18 PM
I don't know if any one player is the greatest of all time because with every era of every sport, there comes along another great.
I don't have a problem with Barry Bonds.
I think he's a wonderful player and he is certainly not be the first jerk or difficult player when it comes to the press that has played major league baseball.
Personally, I wonder how many of his detractors, critics and down right haters could perform whatever job they might have under the scrutiny, criticism, booing and hateful comments that Bonds endures on every road trip outside of San Francisco?
Whether or not he deserves it is not the point.
I'm not sure many could pull that off and when you conside on any given moment he can take any pitcher out of the ball park at 42, and now without any use of performance enhancing drugs (if he ever used any in the first place) that's something to marvel at. Like him or not.....
Posted by: roland | July 7, 2007 05:39 PM
Don't get the Bonds is racist comment . . . he's made mention of his perception of the way he's been regarded by some others, that's all. (When talking about racists in the game, let's focus on the real racists like Ty Cobb, or Cap Anson for that matter Cubs fans.) Doesn't mean he's not a jerk, but he's also far from the first . . . Mark McGuire, anyone? And as far as seeing Hank Aaron as a saint and Bonds as a sinner, Aaron along with many other ballplayers of his time made frequent use of illegal pills like 'black beauties' and their kin.
Posted by: nate | July 7, 2007 06:30 PM
Sorry but I do indeed know the definition of the word racist. It is...
RACIST
"adjective
1. based on racial intolerance; "racist remarks"
2. discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion
noun
1. A person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others”
Bonds has made his views on race very clear many times over the years and trying to sugar coat it or put some moronic spin on it is not going to change the fact.
I will stand by my original comment about Bonds because he is indeed a racist and anyone who believes that any person who is not white is not capable of being a racist is not only a racist himself but a complete idiot as well.
Get a clue.
Posted by: Philtration | July 7, 2007 08:28 PM
I will still consider the genuine record to be Hank Aaron's. I will be indifferent to Bonds and be glad as he retires shortly after breaking the record. Heck, he even may call it quits right after that game because that is all that is important to the man at this point. The interesting thing will be when AROD approaches his record. Will Bonds try to make a comeback at age 50 or so? Regardless, with all the steroid talk, 5-10 years after Barry retires will be the telling truth. How does his body hold-up? Will he have a lot of problems that steriod users have as they age? It's a good point to bring up. Everyone wants answers now. The answers will come in due time I believe.
Posted by: Bryan R. | July 8, 2007 05:17 AM
*Let's see if I can get this right*
Julie sez:
"In staying true to his selfish a-hole form, Barry is not going to participate in the Home Run Derby in his home ball park. At least he's consistent."
There's also a columnist (who's name I'll not mention) bemoaning the fact that Bonds is sitting out the Home Run Derby.
My money says that if Bonds had decided to participate, this very same scribe would be wailing that Barry's presence in the contest makes a mockery of the event, and that Bonds should have had the decency to remove himself the competition.
Posted by: Mark | July 8, 2007 08:14 AM
Some of you people are funny. Everyone here is trumpeting the great image of Hank Aaron. I'm a black man and I applaud him for being strong enough to deal with what he did back in the '70's. With all that swirled around him, he stood up and did something that some people would have folded under. But, none of you know him. If some of you existed during that time, you would have been throwing the same venom at him as you are at Barry. Fact is, the only one speaking of Barry in this negative connotation is the media and all of the sheep just follow along. Fact is, 2 million people decided he was worthy to start. This is an indictment on the constant media speculation that has led to nothing more than just that. Fact is, this so called grand jury indictment has been days away for at least 730 days. The IRS is still going to happen, yeah, I'll wait on it. Since Barry was voted in, Yahoo has recycled a bunch of old articles on "The Game of Shadows", asked about who would topple Barry after he breaks Aaron's records and pretty much stated that it doesn't matter we don't like him. Neifi Perez just tested positive for a banned substance but is he even going to hit 100 homers for his career? Look at how far Giambi has fallen and he's an admitted steroid abuser. He can't get on the field and when he's there, he's ineffective. Bonds could be considered for MVP at this point. 299 BA, 17 HR, 47 RBI, 42 runs, 5 SB, 91 walks, 1.115 OPS. His OPS is almost 500 pts higher than the next guy. He is still the most feared hitter in baseball. How do we know that Hank didn't use amphetamines during his playing career like some of the older players have admitted to. Fact is, in his old age he has become as bad as the Veteran's committee which will not vote anyone into the Hall including the beloved and deserving Ron Santo. An old, surly man that is still admittedly bitter about what he went through while breaking Ruth's record. I have one question, if Barry was white, would any of you be even questioning his integrity? Please don't bring up Mark Mcgwire either. When he was busted with Andro in his locker at the height of his popularity and it was widely reported, none of you were even the least bit outraged. Bonds is the greatest hitter I've ever seen. A lot of experts and players acknowledge this. That is all that I need. Most of you and these media clowns are just opinion givers.
Out!
Posted by: ernest frazier | July 8, 2007 10:54 AM
once again I see that stuckinwisconsin has proven he has cheese for brains. where is it written that a minority can not be a racist? isn't the definition of a racist ANY person that hates another person or persons because of thier race or color? maybe stuckinwisconsin's dictionary has as many holes in it as a block of swiss cheese.
Posted by: Tim Little | July 8, 2007 10:56 AM
Well so what if Cobb was a "racist," that had nothing to do with his incredible baseball ability, insightfulness and understanding of the game. He was the best EVER, especially considering the era he played in. Now as far as the home run record goes, it's too bad Griffey spent so much time on the DL or he would have broken the record already, and there would have been no controversy at all.
Posted by: Y2Jcub | July 8, 2007 11:41 AM
StuckinWI
I cannot tell if you are the ultra-contrarian to rile up black people with your comments, or just a plain idiot. Either way....not good
Posted by: Jessie | July 9, 2007 07:39 AM
noun
1. A person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others”
Philtration, you cannot tell me that you think that Barry believes his RACE is superior??? I don't usually agree with Stuckinwisconsin, but he is right. It is technically impossible for a "minority" to be a racist because that is about power coming from the majority, not the minority. I wonder who is in the majority in America???? Despite being called the "melting pot" what race has EVERY president been???
I know Barry has been a colossal jerk. I personally didn't like how he passed over those white children to sign autographs for black children. That is MORALLY wrong. But if you don't like that - YOU MUST COMPLETELY HATE AMERICA. But i know you don't hate America, juuuuuust BARRY. That my friends is called hyposcrisy. Quit acting like you care about what's equal and fair.
Posted by: Keith-Lifetime Southsider | July 9, 2007 08:52 AM
Philtration, others
StuckinWI posts to get a reaction. I suspect he is a mad at the world post office worker based on his comments. I loved his reponse that no black person has been tried in court for being "racist". Ignorance rules on this planet!
Thankfully there are people like him...because dopes like him make up more than 50% of the population in this country, it helps others like me thrive!!!
Posted by: Joey T | July 9, 2007 09:54 AM
Reece, I'd like Jr's chances if it weren't for his age and tendency to get injured. A-Rod is only 31 and having a monster season. He's on a faster track than Jr.
Mark, for the record, I realize I'm not the "scribe" you're talking about, but I'd very much like to see Barry fill the empty National League spot in the Derby. I would find that gesture slightly redeeming.
Posted by: Julie B. | July 9, 2007 09:56 AM
Yes I would definitely go to Wrigley. I would love to be there and boo the cheater along with everyone else.
Posted by: DarrenB | July 9, 2007 09:56 AM
This is not specifically about Barry Bonds. I just wonder if other Cub fans are wondering about the current catchers. What good is being a switch-hitter if you cannot hit from either side of the plate? That seems to be the case with both active Cub catchers. I hope Blanco gets well soon or that the right-handed bat they're looking for is a catcher batting .300 plus. Obviously, the Cubs did not get their money's worth on the Barrett deal.
Posted by: Paul Manter | July 9, 2007 11:20 AM
I remember seeing Bonds take Bartolo Colon deep at Comiskey in a situation in which he had no business pitching to Bonds (it was 2003). I didn't care then I and I don't care now. In no way do I want to see the record of Hank Aaron, one of the classiest and consistently productive players in the history of baseball, be broken by a man who comes across as self involved, oblivious and distant. I don't want anyone other than Aaron at the top of the home run list, but it's inevitable so I'd rather just get it over with so i don't have to hear about it anymore. Maybe he can enter the home run derby tonight, blast five over the wall and we can count those toward his total. Then he gets what he wants -- the record -- and everyone outside of San Francisco gets what they want -- Barry Bonds off the airwaves.
Posted by: J. Rossi | July 9, 2007 12:33 PM
In response to Earnest Frazier,
Great summary and write up! However, as a sportsfan I don't like Barry Bonds and really don't care what color he is. Cheaters don't have a 'color', they're just cheaters. That said, I hope he never eclipses the record.
Hope that helps.
Posted by: Sun Times Reader | July 9, 2007 12:47 PM
Drew I like your post, but I won't you to consider Ernest's post that says Hank was a jerk. And I ask - what is so wrong with that? Don't be naieve, you catch ANYONE at the right time on any given day and you might not like what you see. Barry lives in a fishbowl, with folks recording every single thing he does wrong. YOU NEVER READ ABOUT ANYTHING he's done right though. As if he's an evil guy lurking about Feindishly laughing "HEE-HEE-HAH-HAH-HAAAH!!!" (like in old movies) You cannot believe all of that stuff. Barry doesn't handle it well, and instead of ignoring it, he feeds it - and goes home to his support group. All of the new stars have learned to keep all of that stuff as business. Reporters broke the story about Tyrus Thomas saying a whole lot of bad things about appearing in the dunk contest, you believe that defines him as a person? I heard ole hammering Hank on ESPN radio spinelessly commenting about how he won't be there when Barry breaks his record. If that is not JERK material, I don't know what is??? And I heard that from HANK, who is cowering to the media pressure to HURT Barry! ONE radio session and ole Hank is looking as Jerkish as Barry!!! Even the Commissioner was affraid of the bullies and said he doesn't know if he will be there. Barry has'nt done a THANG to any of these guys. And he surely didn't lift one finger to come after KIRK SCHILLING, who publicly slandered Barry. Had a great case and didn't say a word.
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | July 9, 2007 06:02 PM
Honestly, I think Barry Bonds is more of a red neck than a Racist. Look at his earRing....you show me the person that is still rocking the 'Great America Ride Attendant Dangling Gold Cross Ear Ring', circa 1983, and Ill show you a bonified red neck.
Another cross over move, he got rid of the GeriCurl. First Sammy, then Ice Cube....then Barry....Cross overs man...what up with that?
Posted by: bculz | July 9, 2007 07:01 PM
Keith
Here's the one thing that, as a white person, really has me scratching my head. Hank went through through pure hell 20+ years ago (and I'm sure before that). Despite all of the racist letters, death threats, etc, Aaron was almost regal in the way he handled, even to this day.
Let me over-generalize for a minute. I would think that most of "black america" would think of Hank like the