So Barry Bonds finally limped his way to the all-time home run record tonight.
I thought I'd care more about that fact before it became inevitable, but I really don't.* Like the guy or not, and - let's face it - hardly anybody does, but he's one of the greatest players of all time. My quibbles about him hitting #756 have more to do with the fact that Hank Aaron faced a truly difficult road on his quest for the record, while Bonds' difficulties have been almost entirely of his own making. That, and I was sick of ESPN breaking in on SportsCenter every night for the last month to show me his ABs.
Is the record "tainted?" Probably. But you might as well put an asterisk next to every record set from the '90s on, and that includes Ken Caminiti's MVP, Brady Anderson's 50 HR in 1996, and Mark McGwire's breaking of Roger Maris' HR mark.
Truth be told, I don't know that many people besides ESPN and Giants fans (hi Don!) really give that much of a shit anymore. If nothing else, we've already seen one pretty impressive record already this season.
[As a Cardinals fan, I've had more reason to loathe Tom Glavine than Bonds over the last 20 years, but 300 wins is something else. Even though it came with the hated Mets, I have to salute him.]
So give old Pumpkin Head his due. He's the all-time (American, non-Negro League) HR leader. At least until this guy takes a shot at it. Speaking of assholes...
Besides, there's another truly historic record lurking in the wings this season. And it's one I'll be following with a lot more (morbid) curiosity than the home run title.
* Believe it or not, I was actually writing another baseball related entry as SportsCenter cut in to show 756.
I was there and it was awesome! Couldn’t have been a better scene at the home ballpark.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it doesn’t matter if you like Bonds. He doesn’t care if you do and neither do we Giants fans. He’s our asshole and he’s also the home run champion of all time. He’s the ultimate anti-hero and he will never suck up or change or try to be something he’s not. In an era of phony “nice guy” athletes, I appreciate that.
Also, A-Rod has a LONG way to go. Playing SS/3B you get many more chances to get hurt. I hope Barry keeps the record for a long time just to make everyone stew about it.
Don’t ignore the Pirates. They’re going for their 15th straight losing season this year (and look to get it). One more and they set the record for futility in all (American) major league sports.
Go Bucs!