i'm just curious as to what everyone's take on Bonds' Chase for the record is? I'm not a huge bonds fan, but I do have respect for the guy, anyone that can be placed in the same category with the great late babe or 'ole hank earns my respect. Last night I was flip'n back and forth between david letterman and WGN ( the channel the game was on ) so maybe I could catch a piece of baseball history in my lifetime. I'm also a true Cubs fan which is the dilemma. And brittney spears was to make a surprise stop on the show which was the reason for the channel flipping ;) My take on this is...roids or no roids the man is playing ball. He's had a great career and "today" is still playing the game. I think a lot of people have an issue with him breaking the record because, c'mon...it's the great babe. BUT, aren't records made to be broken??? isn't that sports? I actually feel bad for the guy because "when" he does tie or break the babes record, what an achievement that is....but it's going to be over shadowed by reporters AND BASEBALL in it's self. last night at every at bat, the greatest picture was watching his teammates line up at the wall to catch a glimpse of the crack of the bat and to support him. I don't care what any reporter or Baseball proffessional know how says, they are watching and rooting for the guy so they can "watch" history in the making. Whether they want to admit it or not, This is what dreams are made of. As an amateur in any sport, I found myself stop breathing when he hit his right field and center field shot lastnight. Ask barry if he was really pissed about pierre "robbing" his shot, if it were me i'd say hell no, when I tie the babe I want it to be out the park or off the lights. Put yourself in barry's shoes, With all these alligations surrounding you, the Ruth family declining an invite to attend the games, baseball telling you it will not celebrate...which IS a slap to the ruth family because it would also be "remembering Babe Ruth", and in the midst of this you have to stand in at the plate and do the unthinkable before a huge crowd and on-lookers. You are at the top of the sports world everytime you pick up that bat. Your facing pitchers who in no hellacious way or form wants to be known as the guy who gave up the blast. Try putting you head on those shoulders and tell me this guy doesn't deserve respect. This is why we play sports, controversy is part of the game but even when it's in play.....you have to respect what's being dealt, and what's dealt is none other than great history. If your a true competitor...a situation like this should give you those "chills". Travis "hemi" Nelson writing for the SupaTimes. PEACE!
hemi i totally agree. i dont care what allegations are being made bout bonds. he is one of todays greatest athletes and one who is chasing one of the all time greats in baseball "Babe Ruth's" career home run record of 714. as a competitor i also get chills bout this sort of thing. i hope that bonds gets number 714 and i hope it is in san francisco infront of a home crowd, and i hope the balls sails into mc covey cove for some fan in his boat to jump out of it and grab that famous ball.
garrison2
I don't know why everyone is talking about beating Ruth? Last time I checked, the babe does not have the record. If, and I doubt, Barry (Juicer!) Bonds does catch Big Hank, then all of this hoopla can begin. When Mark McGwire chased Maris' record, nobody talked about beating the guy in second place. So I don't know why everyone is so excited about second place. As they say, Second place is the first loser!
Well said Saber Kicker.....
I have been watching the special on ESPN..."Bonds on Bonds"
The guy is a gifted athelete....yes.
But the record is Arrons and I dont know if he can stay healthy enough for the record.
There is talk of him just being a DH next year.
If he leaves San Fran, and goes into the American league, then we all know its just for the record books.
One thing is for sure. Bonds is a great hitter. Everyone says you could take anyone off the street, pump them full of roids and put them at the plate and he still could not hit a pitch. Bonds is a gifted baseball player and hitter, but he cheated. It has pretty well been documented. If he had not used steroids or HGH, he might not have hit as many homeruns. He has been such as ass to everyone he has ever come into contact with. Players, coaches, fans, media, everywhere. So I don't feel sorry for him if no one celebrates. I have always said "there aint no cure for asshole." And Bonds has it, and according to people who have done the research, he has always had it, since high school, at ASU, in the minors, with the Pirates and now with the Giants. Don't cry for Barry!
Ok, There are some good points made in this discussion! Hemi thank you for having some common sense on this situation because if any person thinks that just because a baseball player uses steroids its going to make them a better baseball player, please for yourself do some research on steroids before you talk! Steroids has nothing to do with you hitting a baseball. You either have the talent to hit a baseball like bonds or you dont. Lets also take into the consideration that ballparks are getting smaller, pitchers throw harder, baseballs are wounded and produced harder then ever. Yes it might make you hit a ball further, but you still have to have the talent to hit the damn thing...Bonds was a homerun hitter when he was 195 pounds. Bonds im not a big fan of but he has more patience at the plate also. There are too many points to prove everyone here why you should have nothing but respect for bonds. Last point, who is the player that reinvinted the game BABE RUTH, not Hank Aaron and that is exactly why it is such a big deal when Bonds broke the record. I can tell you from my point of view being a yankees fan I dont want anyone breaking Ruths record because of his effect on this great game of baseball, not Aaron! Something to think about....
