Milestones. Memories. History.
756. I bow to you king of home runs.
Last night after returning home from a terrible baseball game at Shea I watched with a terrible person (Lang. He’s a Braves fan. I was getting more aggro than any sober person should.), history was made. Barry Bonds, just saying the name itself drives people into fits of indignant rage or self-righteousness. I honestly don’t know what to think of Bonds anymore. I have gone through a cycle of hate and respect and denial and awe and so on and so on and so on. The conclusion I reached is another question, which is to ask does his performance on a baseball field really impact our lives in any way?
After thinking about that, the answer for me is YES! One of my favorite selfish things about sports is that they give you a marker of how to measure time passing in your life. I can remember exactly where I was, who I was hanging out with, and what was going on in my life at the time of most of the iconic sports moments of this generation. Jordan’s push-off and jumper to win title #6, the Scott Norwood miss, the Endy Chavez catch, all of the major events that define our society.
So, last night after coming home from the Mets game and talking to my girlfriend for a little while, I turned on the TV and you could hear the crowd buzzing with one of the Molina brothers at the plate. Turns out I just missed the record breaker and all of the mid-game celebration. Luckily I had DVRed, was able to rewind, watch, and I’ll never forget it. Is the home run and celebration including Hank Aaron acknowledging the feat a tainted moment? That depends on your perspective. The technology of modern baseball from computerized scouting reports to lighter more streamlined bats to lasik surgery to weight training have turned baseball into something totally different from when I first started watching as a kid. I was more into baseball cards than the game itself when I was young, so I know a lot of old school stats by heart. Maybe one or two people would have a 40 homer season and they were considered these God-like sluggers. I liked the game better back then, but whaddyagonna do? It’s baseball, it’s a part of summer.
Many of the players have used performance enhancing drugs that were not banned by the league for years, while the media and fans glorified their HR gluttony. The 2002 Anaheim Angels are rumored to be one of the most roided up teams of all-time. It’s all hearsay and innuendo, but they might have robbed Barry Bonds of an elusive championship that year. When both sides are “cheating”, you can choose to ignore the game entirely or accept it. I happen to be a baseball fan, so I accept it for what it is. Congrats to Barry Bonds the home run king. You have kept us entertained for many years, and in the end that’s really what it’s all about.
Sorry there is no basketball content in this post other than the mention of the Jordan shot. Summertime! Also, there was a flood of Evan Almighty proportions this morning and I am being advised to wait for the MTA to clear it up before I am allowed to step foot on the subway.
66 Responses to “Milestones. Memories. History.”
Aug.8 at 9:52 am
Ryan Jones says:
You’re right, Sam. Everybody cheats. I take back everything I’ve said and thought about Bonds. He seems like a great guy, just misunderstood, and I’m really happy for him. I think we all should be. Yay.
Aug.8 at 9:59 am
white hot eboy says:
Sam, I liked baseball alot more when I collected cards as a kid too. I used to keep my good cards in a Star Wars tin lunchbox. Plus packs were what, a quarter? Now there’s $15 dollar packs, if you want ‘em. So crazy. And the sooner Barry goes away the better the game will be for it. Loved his fake tears and his “heartfelt” speech. The only thing that sounded genuine was comment about his father.
Aug.8 at 9:59 am
Tariq says:
I hate baseball. It follows that everyone should too.
Aug.8 at 9:59 am
German Reignman says:
Yeah, and the Tour de France was still as interesting as ever, even though everybody is pumping “pig blood” in his veins to win and last years and this years winner are alleged abusers … spiel damit.
Aug.8 at 9:59 am
Tariq says:
I suspect that America’s favorite pastime gets much more exciting with a Corona or twelve.
Aug.8 at 10:00 am
Tariq says:
Speaking of milestones, don’t forget to follow my man Ryan’s lead and visit my new blog. It should be fun for a while until I lose interest.
Aug.8 at 10:01 am
AJ$ says:
Well i dont bow 2 him
Aug.8 at 10:03 am
white hot eboy says:
Tariq, you better buy commerical space with all your blog ads. It’s like the “Let’s Get It Started” adds the NBA used a couple seasons ago. I’m drowing it out each time I see one.
Aug.8 at 10:07 am
Tariq says:
Eboy, I apologize. This is the last time I mention it. I didn’t realize I was becoming a nuisance of kickapop proportions!
Aug.8 at 10:10 am
AJ$ says:
so basically whoever uses the most steroids in baseball wins! i finally understand tha game!
Aug.8 at 10:10 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
For some reason I have the 1990 complete Topps baseball card set underneath my desk. It’s the year Ken Griffey was a Topps all-star rookie. That box was supposed to be my retirement fund. The baseball car market crash hurt.
Aug.8 at 10:11 am
AJ$ says:
Tariq: but ur not quite @ chukaz proportions
Aug.8 at 10:13 am
AJ$ says:
Sam: im sure theres some baseball geeks out there u could still sell em 2
Aug.8 at 10:13 am
Tariq says:
AJ,
still, as a role model it pains me to realize that I have been behaving in a manner unbecoming a man of my stature. I’m sure a Corona or twelve would ease my pain. Sadly, I don’t drink.
Aug.8 at 10:17 am
Cheryl says:
I’m dating myself here, but the only baseball team I ever rooted for was the Washington Senators. I was REALLY young at the time (shut up, eboy), so I don’t remember the players, but my dad was a sports nut and took me to many games of all the local teams: Redskins, Bullets, and Senators. The love of basketball came out of these times with my Pops. Anyway, I’m just saying that to say I’m not a huge baseball fan, but I am very happy for Bonds’ big moment. I can understand a guy just loving playing the game and hating the public attention (esp. from reporters)and just doing what he can to be the best of his generation. I hope he “rides into the sunset” at the end of this season and gets to enjoy being the homerun king for however long it lasts. I can tell you (because I lived there for a decade) that regardless of what anyone else says, San Francisco LOVES Bonds and I’m glad he got a chance to break the record there, where he is celebrated.
Aug.8 at 10:21 am
white hot eboy says:
Cheryl,damn, the Washington Senators. Was that before the invention of lights for night games? And Tariq, you’re not annoying, we just don’t want to put you on that sh*thead list.
Aug.8 at 10:23 am
Tariq says:
Eboy, Thanks for the heads up. Are you yourself on that list?
Aug.8 at 10:26 am
Steve O says:
I know this is huge right now but in reality Bonds will most likely be the shortest holder of this record. (I had no idea how to word that). At best it lasts 10 years before A-Rod comes along to smash it. I know Bonds is a HOFer but he might end up meaning as much to this record as Roger Connor.
Aug.8 at 10:27 am
white hot eboy says:
On my good days, yeah. I always like to think of myself as standing in the gigantic shadow of the king of on-line sh*itheads, Mr. Jones, and we all tremble beneath his wake.
Aug.8 at 10:30 am
Sam Rubenstein says:
There is actually a baseball card store on my block but I’ve never been there. I might have to cut my losses and sell it for $20 or whatever as opposed to the thousands I was expecting.
My brother still resents our mom for throwing out his Thurman Munson rookie card.
Aug.8 at 10:34 am
Cheryl says:
eboy, i don’t remember lights, but I vaguely remember candles in the outfield…
Aug.8 at 10:42 am
white hot eboy says:
That might have made a better movie than “Angels In The Outfield”. And is it me or is Bonds ONLY revered in the San Fran area? I don’t know anyone who is a genuine fan of his. But he is a perrennial all-star though. So confused.
Aug.8 at 10:55 am
AJ$ says:
Dear Tariq,
i would prefer it if you would use my full name given to me at birth by my loving mother: AJ$ and not take it upon yourself to shorten it to AJ. Thank you kind sir, Yours Truly,
AJ$
Aug.8 at 11:27 am
Tariq says:
Dear AJ$, Forgive me for my transgression. And where my apology to Eboy was genuine, this one is half-hearted at best, Sincerely,
Tariq(c)
Aug.8 at 11:34 am
Ron says:
Bonds is the homerun king, and I except that. My gripe is the fact that all the reporters are dismissing it by saying “for now” or “until A-Rod breaks his…” I feel that we should not taint A-Rod in that way. Statistically he is on pace, but let’s not that pressure on him where at this point we look at every homer he hits as him getting a step closer to Bonds. Granted if A-Rod plays another 10 years he could end up with a total somewhere between 800-1000, but that’s a very big if. An if so big that I personally can’t look forward to it. He could let the hype invade his mind and shut down, or we could be jinxing him(Baseball is a very superstition sport) and setting him up for a string of injuries of Grant Hill proportions. Let’s let Barry have the record no strings attached and continue to love the game, and if and when A-Rod gets close to the record, root for him the way we were supposed to have rooted for Barry.
Aug.8 at 11:43 am
Trey Jones says:
So does this mean is still going to show every at-bat? Kill me now
Aug.8 at 11:45 am
AJ$ says:
Tariq: I hope u & ur blog r very happy 2gether
Aug.8 at 11:51 am
Lang Whitaker says:
Jeff Francoeur is the new Chipper Jones. Play wit it!
Aug.8 at 11:51 am
Tariq says:
AJ$, Yes, we have two kids with a baby one the way. Unfortunately, my blog ruptured its fallopian tubes, so we’re playing it day-to-day. Thanks for your kind thoughts.
Aug.8 at 11:52 am
Lang Whitaker says:
Also Sam, Barry Bonds is “entertaining” in the same way that a car wreck is. The whole time he was giving that speech last night I couldn’t help but gawk at his tremendous head.
Aug.8 at 12:06 pm
white hot eboy says:
Question of the day, who’s head is the largest and looks most like a bon bon? Antoine Walker or Barry Bonds?
Aug.8 at 12:11 pm
Tariq says:
Hey Lang, I might be visiting Atlanta this fall. Do you know how I can watch Barca matches and other Euro-pleasures?
Aug.8 at 12:15 pm
Co Co says:
Lang, do you really want Frenchy to be the next Chipper? He’ll be injury prone if that’s the case. Don’t wish that on the poor kid!
Aug.8 at 12:39 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
I wish Ken Griffey Jr. never got injured for all those years… Then nobody would be talking about big-headed Barry at all…
Aug.8 at 12:42 pm
DP says:
I really don’t like baseball. It is so boring to me and it is one of those sports where it is better to play than watch. Think of golf if you may. This record will be broken by A-Rod so I am not even hating on Barry. Even though Barry’s image is still in question, you have to give this man credit for what he has accomplished. I don’t care what anybody says, even with steriods it is pretty damn hard to hit 756 home runs. play wit it.
Aug.8 at 12:50 pm
Dennard says:
Eboy, Barry Bonds headsize/bon bon likeness > Antoine Walker headsize/bon bon likeness.
Aug.8 at 12:57 pm
Co Co says:
Barry just has grown man weight. That’s all.
Aug.8 at 1:05 pm
Rubens says:
eboy: I still go with steph’s head, that thing is huge!!!!
Aug.8 at 1:13 pm
white hot eboy says:
Rubens, sh*t, I forget Steph’s. Dammit.
Aug.8 at 2:00 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Coco: Look at Chipper’s numbers — he’s really only been injured the last few years. From ‘95 through ‘04 he played about 140 games a season. Frenchy’s tougher — dude already has a metal plate in his face.
Aug.8 at 2:00 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
DP, why do you always want us to play with everything you write/say? I’m just sayin…
Aug.8 at 2:00 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Tariq: Email me.
Aug.8 at 2:01 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
And for the OG’s, remember when Lang wrote years ago “I’m not saying Barry Bonds is on steroids or anything, but I was watching Rookie of the Year and his head was the size of a peanut” (along those lines)?
Aug.8 at 2:17 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Didn’t watch the game, won’t watch the highlights. And I used up all my good Bonds comments in the “conversation” section of Gene Wojciechowski’s latest column on ESPN. In short, congrats to Bonds, McGwire, Palmiero, Sosa, Clemens, etc. for turning the MLB into the WWE. Hey Barry, was it worth destroying the integrity of the most coveted record in sports just to be the one to hold it? I hope so. Jerk.
Aug.8 at 2:19 pm
white hot eboy says:
Russ, you just made my day.
Aug.8 at 2:20 pm
Tariq says:
Young Chris: Regarding DP, good question.
Aug.8 at 2:20 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Baseball saves my summer every year and I like Sam’s column. I also like George Vescey’s in the Times but apparently you need to be a “TimesSelect” subscriber to read it online. Anyone that cared about this HR chase should read it. Anyone that didn’t care about the chase shouldn’t be reading this comment in the first place.
Aug.8 at 2:26 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I disagree with that, Ben. We’ve ALL been beaten about the head with this record stuff for MONTHS. Unless you stayed off the Internet and never read a newspaper, you’ve had NO CHOICE but to follow this whole mess. And now that it’s over (sort of), we ALL have the right to comment on it.
Aug.8 at 2:45 pm
J-Bird says:
Yea, I remember when a 50 home run season was a huge deal, now it seems like youve got to hit 50 in a season just to be considered a power hitter. I hope A-Rod breaks this record* fast.
Aug.8 at 3:06 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Russ, you can comment on it as much as you want, but I know if I didn’t care about the chase I wouldn’t read this post.
Aug.8 at 3:07 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Good news Ben. TImes Select is over: http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2007/08/08/ny-times-timesselect-drops-paid-subscription-model-online-content-now-free/?rss1
Aug.8 at 4:26 pm
SLAM ONLINE | » Links: Are They Sleeping Out West? says:
[…] I was little tired this morning because I couldn’t sleep last night — I was still worked up from last night’s Braves/Mets game, which Sam touched on here. It’s a big series for teams, because the Braves could cut the gap to under two games with a sweep of the series. Plus, I just love that even though the Mets are in first place and have been coasting along, they can’t seem to beat the Braves. […]
Aug.8 at 5:30 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Should Barry go into the HOF or just straight to HELL?
Aug.8 at 5:35 pm
Co Co says:
yeah Lang, but my point is that’s he’s breaking down now. You should want Frenchy to have a long strikeout filled career. I’ve always thought Chipper had some dirty pics or something on someone in the organization because they’ve been forever loyal to him and sometimes I just wonder why.
Aug.8 at 7:29 pm
Noyd says:
eboy, Placido Polanco’s dome takes the cake…Walker’s looks like a marble in comparison.
Aug.8 at 7:32 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Jeff Francoeur > Barry Bonds.
Aug.8 at 7:47 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
*Puts gun in mouth*
Aug.8 at 9:23 pm
JB21 says:
A 50 home run season is still a huge deal. Last year there weren’t many, A-Rod didn’t hit 50 last year, he’s actually only done it twice in his career & even with this season he’s having this year, he’s may not reach 50.
Aug.8 at 9:54 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
There was a period when a 50-homer season didn’t mean much, though. Like when Brady “Sideburns” Anderson did it. Where is he now, anyway–off being Chris O’Donnell’s stand-in somewhere?
Aug.8 at 9:58 pm
J-Bird says:
Really? Because it seems now like the general public only really takes notice if you get past 60, maybe its just me.
Aug.8 at 10:35 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Sam, I welcome the end of the TimesSelect era, but it hasn’t changed yet. I just re-tried to get that story online and got rejected again. Oh well. Congrats on the Mets win tonight, tho. I’m sad because the Dodgers just got shut out for the third straight game for the first time since 1966. My boys in blue are not exactly makign a playoff push.
Aug.8 at 11:48 pm
Boing Dynasty says:
Brandon Phillips killed your boys with the glove work.
Aug.9 at 3:02 am
LUDU says:
YANKEES!!! A-Rod, I love you.
Barry deserves respect, he hasn’t been proven guilty to anything, the man is a LEGEND, he’s broken one of the most untouchable records in sports history! let the man be. For now.
Aug.9 at 11:06 am
Boing Dynasty says:
I should point out that suicide comment was based on previous, now deleted comment. Smile.
Aug.9 at 12:09 pm
tike says:
I love Bonds he defintley the greatest player i’ve watched and i very glad i got to watch it when it actually happen….what a thrilling moment….oh and Tariq baseball is a great sport you gotta get with the program buddy
Aug.9 at 4:54 pm
Tariq says:
tike, Hey, if you like baseball, more power to you. I’m just saying all the people who get their panties in a bunch when someone mentions Gerard Pique or Vagner Love should remember that, steroids aside, baseball ain’t that exciting. I mean, shouldn’t Babe Ruth have been on Atkins or something? I’m just saying…