Well Isn't That Special ... Alex Rodriguez hearts Barry Bonds and Barry hearts A-Rod right back. They're like a matching-outfits-joined-at-the-hip type of couple. Case in point: On Saturday, A-Rod hit his 500th, becoming the fastest player to reach 500 home runs. A little later Bonds hit his 755th, tying the all-time home run record. Awwwww ... ain't it sweet? A duo that reaches milestones together, stays together. I think we have a shoe-in for 'Cutest Couple' in this year's yearbook.
And Isn't It Ironic ... Barry Bonds record-tying home run came off of Clay Hensley, an acknowledged 'roider. Yes, my friends that is irony at its best. Just goes to show that if you think Bonds cheated his way to the top ... well, he smacked his hits against pitchers who were juiced up too.
Bud Selig's Face: Priceless ... Bud Selig's body was in attendance when Bonds tied Hank Aaron's record, but trust, Spirit Award recipient, he was not. People in comas have displayed more emotion than the commish after Bonds blasted 755. When the Giants slugger finally caught up with history, chances are you either cheered or booed. Bud? He looked like he had gas. Classic.
Interesting juxtaposition of images there.
Coming to a Store Near You ... Asterisk t-shirts. They're going to be the new Crocs: annoying but trendy.
Which Pisses Off White America More ... the thought of Barry Bonds becoming baseball's all-time home run leader or O.J. Simpson getting off scot free?
Comments: (7)
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By: Willie C. on 8/05/2007 7:14PM
To all those "Bonds Haters" I say GET OVER IT! First of all there are several things that you all conveniently overlook. Back in the entire decade of the 90's Barry was "The Man". While so called sports writers dissed him because he was defiant and impatient with their tedious, often stupid questions, as they proclaimed others as baseballs best, Barry kept doing his thing.
Back then Bonds displayed the ability to be able to see a pitch as soon as a pitcher released it, calling out what it was, and then hitting it. He also practiced one of the most grueling off season workout regimens for years. His 6 to 8 hr gym workouts 5 days a week were legendary. While Canseco was using steroids to avoid needing to do the work that Bonds and so many others did, Bonds is accused of taking them and still doing his brutal workouts. Why? It makes no sense.
Also, no one seems to want to answer some other very basic questions, such as, if indeed 40% to 60 or 70% of baseballs players were using steroids, why aren't there multitudes of players doing what Bonds has done? Maybe more importantly, why is Bonds the only one under such scrutiny? Are we trying to say that steroid use is acceptable as long as you don't threaten our "hallowed" records?
Some say that Bond's body has undergone changes during his nearly 20 year career. Guess what? If you or I practiced as rigorous a exercise routine with weights for as long as he has, or even half as much, for half as long, our bodies would change a lot as well. If your like me, as I'll bet many are, our bodies have changed a great deal over the past 20 years without working out at all. Still it's easier to say Bond's head has grown several sizes without offering any proof at all, instead of taking the time to check into it. I mean his sizes, both hat and uniform sizes are not national secrets. Any truly objective reporters who want the truth could get that information I'm sure. Of course it's easier for the Bob Costas', Jim Romes, Jay Marrioti's, and others of their ilk, to vilify Bonds based on nothing more than rumors and alleged leaks.
When will someone realize that after nearly 2 yrs, and thousands of our tax dollars, no proof has been found against Bonds.He has never publicly admitted abusing steroids. He has never failed a drug test. He is in fact not even accused of any illegal drug use. Remember that there was no law against using steroids in baseball. Remember also that while many of you assume Bonds body has changed due to steroid use, most of the proven steroid abusers came as a surprise to most, because there was no real change in their bodies. Also remember that the more prominent players suspected of using steroids, with the exception of Bonds, either retired, flunked drug tests, or once they were being scrutinized more closely, their bodies did change. Remember the Incredible Shrinking Jason Giambi, and Sammy Sosa who seemingly went in to Witness Protection for a year before returning to crack the 600 hr plateau?
Meanwhile Bonds has not shrunk, has not disappeared, and despite all those who would anoint A-Rod, or "Fat Albert", as the best players in baseball, as they used to call Ken Griffey Jr, Bonds is STILL, at age 43, the most feared hitter in baseball. If you doubt that, then explain why he's still number 1 in OBP (On base percentage), and walks, particularly intentional walks.
Those other players have a world of potential, and are indeed great players, but until potential is realized, it is just that, potential. For example even A-Rod will need to average 50 hrs a yr for 5 years to reach what Barry had 5 hrs ago, 750!A lot of that will depend on where he plays, who'll protect him in the line up, and if he'll be healthy.
Also the writers and many of you frustrated jock wannabe's who love A-Rod, at least this year, will undoubtedly change, just as they did towards Bonds and others who had the talent to equal or surpass their beloved icon's.
For you who still feel Babe Ruth is "The man" although "The Hammer" passed him 30 years ago, remember that until Maris, and then Aaron passed his records, he was seldom talked about or even thought of, just as all those who suddenly "love" Aaron, had not given him a thought for years, until Bonds's achievements brought him back in the spotlight.
Remember also, you Ruth lovers, that your "man" never faced the relef pitchers that Mays, Bonds, and Aaron did, that threw heat when the starters tired, while "The Babe" was pounding those tired arms.
I salute him for his pitching ability, although if we are considering asterisks for Bonds's achievements, let's remember that he never faced players of color on a regular basis, if at all. (maybe a barnstorming team on a rare ocassion)
Oh well, I guess that's about enough for now, other than to advise you Bonds haters to avoid his next home game, because barring a pinch hit tonight, I predict that he'll hit 756 to become, in the words of Muhammad Ali "The Greatest of All Time!
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By: Willie C. on 8/05/2007 7:05PM
To all those "Bonds Haters" I say GET OVER IT! First of all there are several things that you all conveniently overlook. Back in the entire decade of the 90's Barry was "The Man". While so called sports writers dissed him because he was defiant and impatient with their tedious, often stupid questions, as they proclaimed others as baseballs best, Barry kept doing his thing.
Back then Bonds displayed the ability to be able to see a pitch as soon as a pitcher released it, calling out what it was, and then hitting it. He also practiced one of the most grueling off season workout regimens for years. His 6 to 8 hr gym workouts 5 days a week were legendary. While Canseco was using steroids to avoid needing to do the work that Bonds and so many others did, Bonds is accused of taking them and still doing his brutal workouts. Why? It makes no sense.
Also, no one seems to want to answer some other very basic questions, such as, if indeed 40% to 60 or 70% of baseballs players were using steroids, why aren't there multitudes of players doing what Bonds has done? Maybe more importantly, why is Bonds the only one under such scrutiny? Are we trying to say that steroid use is acceptable as long as you don't threaten our "hallowed" records?
Some say that Bond's body has undergone changes during his nearly 20 year career. Guess what? If you or I practiced as rigorous a exercise routine with weights for as long as he has, or even half as much, for half as long, our bodies would change a lot as well. If your like me, as I'll bet many are, our bodies have changed a great deal over the past 20 years without working out at all. Still it's easier to say Bond's head has grown several sizes without offering any proof at all, instead of taking the time to check into it. I mean his sizes, both hat and uniform sizes are not national secrets. Any truly objective reporters who want the truth could get that information I'm sure. Of course it's easier for the Bob Costas', Jim Romes, Jay Marrioti's, and others of their ilk, to vilify Bonds based on nothing more than rumors and alleged leaks.
When will someone realize that after nearly 2 yrs, and thousands of our tax dollars, no proof has been found against Bonds.He has never publicly admitted abusing steroids. He has never failed a drug test. He is in fact not even accused of any illegal drug use. Remember that there was no law against using steroids in baseball. Remember also that while many of you assume Bonds body has changed due to steroid use, most of the proven steroid abusers came as a surprise to most, because there was no real change in their bodies. Also remember that the more prominent players suspected of using steroids, with the exception of Bonds, either retired, flunked drug tests, or once they were being scrutinized more closely, their bodies did change. Remember the Incredible Shrinking Jason Giambi, and Sammy Sosa who seemingly went in to Witness Protection for a year before returning to crack the 600 hr plateau?
Meanwhile Bonds has not shrunk, has not disappeared, and despite all those who would anoint A-Rod, or "Fat Albert", as the best players in baseball, as they used to call Ken Griffey Jr, Bonds is STILL, at age 43, the most feared hitter in baseball. If you doubt that, then explain why he's still number 1 in OBP (On base percentage), and walks, particularly intentional walks.
Those other players have a world of potential, and are indeed great players, but until potential is realized, it is just that, potential. For example even A-Rod will need to average 50 hrs a yr for 5 years to reach what Barry had 5 hrs ago, 750!A lot of that will depend on where he plays, who'll protect him in the line up, and if he'll be healthy.
Also the writers and many of you frustrated jock wannabe's who love A-Rod, at least this year, will undoubtedly change, just as they did towards Bonds and others who had the talent to equal or surpass their beloved icon's.
For you who still feel Babe Ruth is "The man" although "The Hammer" passed him 30 years ago, remember that until Maris, and then Aaron passed his records, he was seldom talked about or even thought of, just as all those who suddenly "love" Aaron, had not given him a thought for years, until Bonds's achievements brought him back in the spotlight.
Remember also, you Ruth lovers, that your "man" never faced the relef pitchers that Mays, Bonds, and Aaron did, that threw heat when the starters tired, while "The Babe" was pounding those tired arms.
I salute him for his pitching ability, although if we are considering asterisks for Bonds's achievements, let's remember that he never faced players of color on a regular basis, if at all. (maybe a barnstorming team on a rare ocassion)
Oh well, I guess that's about enough for now, other than to advise you Bonds haters to avoid his next home game, because barring a pinch hit tonight, I predict that he'll hit 756 to become, in the words of Muhammad Ali "The Greatest of All Time!
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By: Cecil Jones on 8/06/2007 3:58AM
Cheryl, look at all the hate that is ready to explode in regard to this record. You also made references to A-Rod and that only adds the frustration and racial hate of Hispanics. Do you know when to quit? How about right now! There are enough White people who will hate us for what we do. They don't need any help. All they have is Babe Ruth and his were alcohol homeruns. Big Mac and Conseco practically admitted they were "Booty Buddies". The frustration is understandable. It's like looking for the "Great White Hope" in baseball. Cal Ripkin's record in my eyes isn't that great. How many games did they lose because Cal's best wasn't good enough? It's a team sport and sometimes you must sit. That's how to redirect a controversy. Don't bring "Brown" down.
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By: helena on 8/07/2007 4:10AM
I am not a fan of baseball but WOW Barry Bond's is being dealt with harshly. This is a huge acomplishment and it's totally being pissed on by so many haters. I could hardly hear the boos but the comentater couldn't stop mentioning that. And Bud Selig looked like he was looking for the nearest bathroom. Sheesh Bond's did a great Job regardless of what anyone else thinks and I wish him and his family the best!!!!!
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By: scott on 8/07/2007 5:11AM
just think what the home run record might be (closing in on 1000 perhaps?) if babe ruth and hank aaron had the "advantage" that steroids could have given them.
i recommend that all you folks into this topic read
the book that Jose Canseco wrote quite some time ago.
i wonder what ever happened to those players in the eighties decade who were suspended for cocaine use...
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By: L. Taylor on 8/10/2007 12:46AM
I remember when I was in high school, back in the 60's. The school had just started to allow black students to attend.
All we heard was how fast the white kids were who had been the stars on the track, basketball, and football teams.
Well to make things fair.... coach had try-outs to see who would compete on competition day.
We had even been told that one of these kids ran a 9.2
hundred yard dash.... of course our eye brows went up.
Come to find out, he had only been running 89 yards, no one had bothered to check to see if distance was accurate.
Sadly, when tryouts were over, 98% of all teams were black.
The kid they had bragged on, didn't make the team.
I truly feel, Ruth would have been a casualty, statistic, If he had had to compete against Bob Gibson, Sandy Kofax, Randy Johnson, and any of the quality players.
Why did I write this, to dispel a few of the myths written about Ruth. Nothing from the 20's could compete against anyone today. Just as a model T could not even beat a pinto, And you know what a Mustang would do to a model T.
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By: d.r. jones on 8/13/2007 1:39PM
all i want to know is, why are so many people complaining about bonds an his possible use of drugs, and no one is talking about the drugs the players of the teens and 20's used to help there game and their career in baseball and the other sports. no one wants to take away from their records, i say just leave the man alone and lets enjoy the moment.
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