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Babe, Roger, Hank and Barry
Barry Bonds has hit 751 career home runs, four shy of Hank Aaron's major league record of 755. In the next week or two he will tie and then break Aaron's record. I'd like to say, "I don't care," but, the fact is, I do care.
I wish it wasn't happening. I can remember cheering for Hank Aaron to break Babe Ruth's magic number of 714. I remember watching the countdown and then watching television that night in 1974 when lefty Al Downing of my Dodgers served up the record-setting home run pitch. The ball soared into the Braves' bullpen where Aaron's teammate Tom House caught it, depriving some lucky fan of the million-dollar prize.
I had goosebumps as Aaron rounded the bases, followed by two nutty college students, who are immortalized by the videotape of that historic moment. I was happy for Hank, even if he did hit #715 off one of my favorite pitchers.
I won't be happy when Barry hits home runs numbers 755 and 756. Maybe it's because I grew up with Aaron playing baseball. He was one of my baseball card buddies. I can still picture his 1954 Topps rookie baseball card. And his 1955 Topps and '56 Topps. And his popular 1957 Topps when they printed his picture with the negative reversed, turning Aaron into a lefthanded batter.
Maybe that's why my Dad didn't cheer for Aaron. He wanted Ruth's record to live forever. He had grown up reading about Babe's home runs on the sports pages of the newspaper. He even saw the Babe play in Yankee Stadium, and he got the Babe's autograph on a baseball.
It was the same way back in 1961 when Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle were attacking Babe Ruth's 60-home-runs-in-a-season record. I was cheering for Roger. My Dad was cheeering for Babe's record to stand. Even though I have never been a Yankees fan, I jumped for joy when Maris hit the pitch from Tracy Stallard of the Boston Red Sox on the final day of the season for home run number 61. I knew I was living baseball history. My Dad's heart was broken, but I was happy that my baseball card hero was the new home run king!
But I feel all different about Barry Bonds taking down Hank Aaron. I don't know how much of my feelings are influenced by the steroids issue. I think, in my case, it's more of a personality issue. I can't think of anyone who has been less personable than Barry Bonds. For most of his career Bonds has treated the media and the fans as though they were less than human.
From my vantage point in my living room, Barry has always had a holier-than-thou attitude towards those who write about him and cheer for him. If Barry lived in Plattsburgh, I don't think he would want me as his friend, and, likewise, I wouldn't want to be his friend.
I've gone out of my way to cheer for Steve Garvey, Gary Carter, Nolan Ryan, Willie McCovey, Lou Brock and other players that I've met who treated their fans with respect.
I think I'll feel a little empty when Bonds hits his historic home runs in the next few weeks. I know I won't have goosebumps, and I know I won't be interested in the ensuing hoopla that Major League Baseball will have to conduct.
Where will you be when baseball's magic moment takes place?
Comments
I have to agree with you, Foxy. The steroid thing is not my big issue in this case. Bottom line: Bonds is a jerk. I honestly believe that's the medias take on it too, but they just can't come out and say it. If Bonds was a "Johnny Baseball" kind of guy, then they would kind of push the steroids issue to the side I believe.
As for where I'll be when the moment takes place...who knows. I'll probably be at home with Heather watching Wheel of Fortune! I might even be in Plattsburgh attending a wedding. But you know what? the first time I see the home run it will probably be the Sportscenter highlights because I really won't care. And that's saying something, because rarely do I not care about sports, let alone a record that may stand for a long time!
Posted by: Aaron | July 7, 2007 9:20 AM
I can best sum up my feelings regarding Barry Bonds and his pursuit of the home run record in 2 words--"Who cares?!" I cannot a recall a pro athlete who has done so much to create so much ill will and so little interest in reaching a milestone. As a Red Sox fan, I found it amusing that Red Sox Nation welcomed Barry with huge asterisks when the Giants were in town. I will turn to ESPN when the moment draws near but for no other reason as to say that I did see it when it happened, which is a shame, as I can recall the anticipation with which I followed Hank Aaron's home run chase. I think Aaron's silence re:Bonds speaks volumes. Unfortunately, unless Ken Griffey, Jr., stays healthy, A-Rod seems likely to be the next player to have a legitimate shot at approaching the record, and his pursuit may very well garner the same lack of interest.
UPS Dave
Posted by: UPS Dave | July 7, 2007 8:01 AM
Foxy,
You speak for many of us old enough to vividly remember Hank Aaron's pursuit of 714. Other than Yankee fans and racist idiots, the baseball world was truly excited with each Aaron homer.
I, too, was glued to the TV listening to Curt Gowdy's call of 715. I still get chills thinking of it and watching it on tape from time to time. To this day, it remains my fondest baseball memory.
Barry Bonds' pursuit of 755 lacks the luster of Aaron's because Bonds is a first class major league jerk. I don't recall any player being so loathed by so many fans. Aaron was respected by everyone. The classless Bonds is only liked by Giants fans.
As much as we all would like to see Bonds blow out a knee and not reach 755, sadly he will. However, here is a scenario I would like to see. It could be a gesture that Bonds could do to endear himself to the millions who loath him.
After hitting the record tying 755th homer he can take his accolades. Then as the baseball world watches him step to the plate for his next at-bat anticipating the record breaking 756th, he does something dramatic. Bonds calls time out, steps out of the batters box, and is handed a microphone.
He takes the mike and makes the following announcement. "Out of respect for Hank Aaron I am now retiring from baseball. It is my honor to leave the game knowing that I share the record with one of the all time greats. He deserves this record more than anyone and I will not take it from him. Continue to think of him as the all time home run king."
Given Bonds' ego is this likely to happen? Probably not. But if Bonds wants to salvage any kind of positive legacy, he should consider this.
But Foxy don't despair. I want to be the first to make a Grandpa Foxy prediction. I predict that in a few years you and your grandchild will be in the stands of Dodger Stadium witnessing history. The two of you will watch as the Dodgers' Alex Rodriguez becomes the all time home run king. Make sure to sit in the left field stands to catch the ball. What a great "Fox On The Run" that will make.
Craig Mathews
(Foxy's note: Wow, Craig, I love your comments! You are one of the North Country's longtime great baseball fans, so thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one!)
Posted by: Craig Mathews | July 7, 2007 7:29 AM
Hey Foxy
This is Larry Forgette grew up in Plattsburgh on Johnson Ave, now living in St Louis, oh and by the way the Giants are here in St Louis this Weekend July 6-8. I too do not want to see Barry beat Hank's record but since living here in St Louis since 1997 the one thing i have found out is that we Cardinals fans are the best fans I have seen. And if by some stroke of magic he hits 5 this weekend we Cardinals will give him his due but we dont have to like it..
Larry Forgette
1974 Graduate of St John's High School
(Foxy's note: Great to hear from an old Fox Hiller!)
Posted by: Larry Forgette | July 6, 2007 9:44 PM