756 FOR NUMBER 25
Say what you will about the man. I sure have. But watching Bonds hit career homerun number 756 to break the all-time record was...great. I LOVE baseball. It was an amazing moment. Goose bumps. And then, the message from Hank Aaron. I teared up, I admit it. A very nice surprise.
I was at Pacific Bell/SBC/AT&T Park when he hit homerun numbers 71 and 72 in 2001, and it was one of the most electric and memorable experiences of my life as a sports fan. I felt that energy tonight, through the TV. Giants fans are VERY dedicated and I'm sure Bonds is relieved to have broken the record at home.
As he hit that homerun tonight, I set aside Bonds' controversial journey to 756, and just focused on the arrival. 3-2 pitch from Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik. Bullet to the right field bleachers. Gone.
I don't know Barry. I know that people don't like him. I also know some folks handle the media in their own way. Perhaps, down deep, Barry is shy. Perhaps Barry, like many of us, have childhoods of shattered glass or have become a product of our upbringing. I don't judge Barry. I do know Barry was using "The Clear & The Cream," as well as using meds from a neighboring locker. That all points to a person knowingly, but not admittingly taking a performance enhancing substance. Sure , he never admitted to taking steroids, and OJ never confessed to killing his wife. My point again is, I don't judge Barry. In fact, during the late 80's, if I were in his position, I may have done the same. Here is my argument. Baseball is a game of numbers. Steroids is a fountain of youth. Of course it won't effect your keen eye or swing (maybe distance), but it will effect your endurance and longevity. Could Barry have lasted as long as he has to break the HR record? Say, in 5 years A-Rod has 700 hrs and begins to ail, do you think steroids might help him get over the hump and allow a few more years? It is my opinion that it would. I don't think this record is true to baseball. In my opinion, fans want to be part of history. It's kinda self-serving.
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