WHEN will Bonds pass Ruth?

[Appling]

When will Barry Bonds pass Ruth's career total of 714 homeruns?

[SamtheBravesFan]

At this rate, probably in August, assuming people don't stop walking the guy.

[Go Bravos!!!#1]

He just hit another.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12487020/

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Curious to see if he carefully orchestrates his playing time so he's at home for 715. Maybe he sits out the rest of a road trip on 714 so he can try to bust it at home. That'd be a pretty chicken bleep move, although hard to blame him for not wanting to hear how most of the country really feels. Any word from Aaron? Hasn't he already said he won't follow him around?

[Mattingly]

Curious to see if he carefully orchestrates his playing time so he's at home for 715. Maybe he sits out the rest of a road trip on 714 so he can try to bust it at home. That'd be a pretty chicken bleep move, although hard to blame him for not wanting to hear how most of the country really feels. Any word from Aaron? Hasn't he already said he won't follow him around?
If he were to do that, I'd strongly recommend that he be IBB'd in every single plate appearance. Nobody could do something that bad.

I'd hope that "never" was likely, but I doubt this very much. If someone pitches to him--and they eventually will--then it's simply an inevitable thing, like death and taxes.

[Joltin' Joe]

Curious to see if he carefully orchestrates his playing time so he's at home for 715. Maybe he sits out the rest of a road trip on 714 so he can try to bust it at home. That'd be a pretty chicken bleep move, although hard to blame him for not wanting to hear how most of the country really feels. Any word from Aaron? Hasn't he already said he won't follow him around?

I don't think Bonds would go that low.

More than Aaron, I want to know what Mays thinks. I mean really thinking deep inside...

[RuthMayBond]

Curious to see if he carefully orchestrates his playing time so he's at home for 715. Maybe he sits out the rest of a road trip on 714 so he can try to bust it at home. That'd be a pretty chicken bleep moveSo apparently you don't remember what at least Aaron's manager (if not Aaron) did in '74?

[Mattingly]

I don't think Bonds would go that low.

More than Aaron, I want to know what Mays thinks. I mean really thinking deep inside...
About when he'll pass it, or that he'll be passing it?

He may give some thoughts on his godson passing Ruth, but he'll definitely not reply to anything on the other stuff re PEDs that Bonds has been often accused of.
So apparently you don't remember what at least Aaron's manager (if not Aaron) did in '74?
He'd hit #715 at Atlanta-Fulcom County Stadium, right? How many series were there prior to the Braves' 1974 Home Opener before Hank hit that?

Also, where did he tie Ruth at?

[RuthMayBond]

When will Barry Bonds pass Ruth's career total of 714 homeruns?He's saving it for when I come to Cali this summer :laugh

[Mattingly]

He's saving it for when I come to Cali this summer :laugh
You mean you'll both be in left field somewhere? :D :p

[RuthMayBond]

You mean you'll both be in left field somewhere? :D :pI'll be standing in right field but I'm definitely in left field. I must have fallen into a copier, and I'm beside myself.

[Appling]

Any word from Aaron? Hasn't he already said he won't follow him around?
No reason for Aaron to follow Bonds' quest of the Ruth record.
Aaron holds the MLB record and the NL record for career homeruns. Barry passing the Babe won't change that.

Ruth holds the AL record for homeruns in a career, and if Bonds passes Ruth, Ruth will still hold the AL record. (I don't think they will celebrate "most career homeruns by a Left-Handed Hitter".) Therefore, no need for special ceremony by Aaron or by Bud Selig this year. When Bonds seriously challanges the Aaron record, then it will be appropriate for Aaron and the Commish to be there when it happens.

As far as WHEN Bonds will pass the Ruth mark, I would say May or June if Barry stays healthy, but if his legs fail again it won't happen this year.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Curious to see if he carefully orchestrates his playing time so he's at home for 715. Maybe he sits out the rest of a road trip on 714 so he can try to bust it at home. That'd be a pretty chicken bleep move, although hard to blame him for not wanting to hear how most of the country really feels. Any word from Aaron? Hasn't he already said he won't follow him around?
Sultan,

You are already bashing Bonds for something he hasn't even done yet! Wow. The Braves did the same thing with Aaron in 1974. It was so blatant that the commish had to step in and force the Braves to play Aaron on the road.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Sultan,

You are already bashing Bonds for something he hasn't even done yet! Wow. The Braves did the same thing with Aaron in 1974. It was so blatant that the commish had to step in and force the Braves to play Aaron on the road.

Adam, how is asking a question, or "wondering out loud" a form of bashing? And I wasn't born until '77 so I don't recall what happened with Aaron in '74.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Adam, how is asking a question, or "wondering out loud" a form of bashing? And I wasn't born until '77 so I don't recall what happened with Aaron in '74.
So how do you recall who Babe Ruth was? It's call research, right? :p And I told you what happened with Aaron.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

So how do you recall who Babe Ruth was? It's call research, right? :p And I told you what happened with Aaron.

Who? Not sure who that guy is. I heard he was ok though.

Thanks to you, I now I know what happened. If Aaron orchestrated it for a homestand, then alright, didn't know that. Thanks.

[Joltin' Joe]

If Aaron orchestrated it for a homestand, then alright, didn't know that. Thanks.

I'm not positive about this but I don't think Aaron orchestrated it. I think it was the decision of the Braves front office.

[Williamsburg2599]

I'd hope that "never" was likely, but I doubt this very much. If someone pitches to him--and they eventually will--then it's simply an inevitable thing, like death and taxes.
Bonds,Taxes,dieing.Three things I hate:D.

I'm still telling myself not to get ready for him to hit 715,but sadly he most likely will:(.I find it sad that the fans of this great game have to watch a record be stolen away from the greatest baseball player of all-time and handed to a skum of the earth lying cheater.Someone has to keep the faith,im voting not this season, and by that I mean never.

[Taco De Muerte]

I'm still telling myself not to get ready for him to hit 715,but sadly he most likely will:(.I find it sad that the fans of this great game have to watch a record be stolen away from the greatest baseball player of all-time and handed to a skum of the earth lying cheater.Someone has to keep the faith,im voting not this season, and by that I mean never.

Just out of curiousity, how is bonds more of a " scumbag " than ruth ?

[The Big C]

Do we really need to start that conversation again?

And Ruth only holds the record for most homeruns by a lefty, something most people wouldn't care about if it wasn't Bonds passing it.

[Williamsburg2599]

Just out of curiousity, how is bonds more of a " scumbag " than ruth ?
how is Bonds less of a skumbag than Ruth???

[Taco De Muerte]

how is Bonds less of a skumbag than Ruth???

I never said he was less, I don't think either of them are scumbags.

But you'd be surprised to find out that babe ruth was far from a saint - and certainly had his faults like bonds does.

[Astro]

Bonds,Taxes,dieing.Three things I hate:D.

I'm still telling myself not to get ready for him to hit 715,but sadly he most likely will:(.I find it sad that the fans of this great game have to watch a record be stolen away from the greatest baseball player of all-time and handed to a skum of the earth lying cheater.Someone has to keep the faith,im voting not this season, and by that I mean never.
Ahhh, another saint on this board... I wish I could say I have never cheated, like , apparently, you

[wamby]

I'm not positive about this but I don't think Aaron orchestrated it. I think it was the decision of the Braves front office.

I think it was too. I think that in April of 1974, Aaron just wanted to get it over with and probably didn't care where or when he did it.

[JohnGelnarFan]

This morning on ESPN,they were saying that Bonds was hobbling again when he finished his homerun trot and went into the dugout. Since he has to play the field in the N.L.,I'm hoping that he'll never catch Aaron. I can't imagine that he won't pass Ruth but I'll be waiting for his knee to completely blow out while chasing a flyball....... that's If he still goes after anything not hit directly to him.
I'm also watching to see if he'll suddenly turn into a nice guy that loves fans,media and small animals.I won't believe him.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I think it was too. I think that in April of 1974, Aaron just wanted to get it over with and probably didn't care where or when he did it.
Yeah, it was the Braves front office but Bowie Kuhn would have none of that. The Braved started the 1974 season with three games at Cincinnati. Aaron homered on his fist AB of the season I believe. The Braves wanted to have Aaron hit 715 at home. Kuhn told the Braves Aaron must start two of three games. Aaron hit #715 at home anyway.

[Astro]

3 away... there is no April choice so went with May

[KingJ]

When will Bonds pass Ruth's total of 714 career homeruns?

That's easy. When he hits his 715th!

[Williamsburg2599]

Ahhh, another saint on this board... I wish I could say I have never cheated, like , apparently, you
OK I ADMIT IT! I cheated on a quiz in 2nd grade! you broke me!
wow,cheating in a game of cards or on a test isint exactly the same as knowingly cheating at a professional sport and then lieing about it.last time I've checked,I never took steriods and then lied about it.I'm no saint but im deffently not a barry.
I never said he was less, I don't think either of them are scumbags.

But you'd be surprised to find out that babe ruth was far from a saint - and certainly had his faults like bonds does.

I no Ruth wasn't a saint, but as far as I know from what I heard he was a better person than Bonds IMO.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I never said he was less, I don't think either of them are scumbags.

But you'd be surprised to find out that babe ruth was far from a saint - and certainly had his faults like bonds does.

Neither were scum bags I agree. Both had faults, who does not. The difference, Ruth had a better relationship with the fans, not only at home but on the road. Ruth would often banter with the with the fans in away parks, ribbing them and they ribbing him right back. Often after hitting one out these same fans would stand and cheer him.

Over the years it was Barry's own words that often ticked off some fans. Too many to list. One of his latest, "The only number I care about is Babe Ruth's because as a left handed hitter I wiped him out. Don't talk about him no more."

I don't think being left handed had anything to do with it, that was a smoke screen, it's just the fact that he's Babe Ruth, lefthanded had beans to do with it. Besides that, look at his last line "don't talk about him no more."

I think Barry already knows even before he leaves the game, Ruth will always be the measuring stick when great sluggers is the subject. Some of his numbers have been surpassed but he did it all, at the top or near the top in AB/HR ratio, seasons with 50 or more HRs, seasons 40 or more home runs, multiple home run games, career home runs, HR/100 outs, HR/100 Pa, HR%, slugging .690, some of the longest home runs ever. He is first in most of the above, no one makes the the first or second spot more than Ruth. For that matter, are we forgetting, Ruth has already been passed in career home runs by Hank Aaron. Hank had more class than Barry, his words, 'I don't want them to forget Babe Ruth but I want them to remember Henry Aaron".

Bonds and Aaron combined with seasons of at least 130 games hit 40 or home runss 16 times. Combined they had a total of over 40 seasons with 130 or more games.

Ruth had only 13 seasons with at least 130 games and he hit 40 or more 11 times.

All this from a hitter who never hit 40 until his 7th season and had only 49 career home runs after 6 seasons in MLB.

There is no match, look at the whole picture, it's Ruth by a mile.

[JohnGelnarFan]

You said it all Joe. That's exactly why he's not "well liked" and Ruth was. None of us are perfect but we can be kind to those that look up to us. It's not hard to do.





Neither were scum bags I agree. Both had faults, who does not. The difference, Ruth had a better relationship with the fans, not only at home but on the road. Ruth would often banter with the with the fans in away parks, ribbing them and they ribbing him right back. Often after hitting one out these same fans would stand and cheer him.

Over the years it was Barry's own words that often ticked off some fans. Too many to list. One of his latest, "The only number I care about is Babe Ruth's because as a left handed hitter I wiped him out. Don't talk about him no more."

I don't think being left handed had anything to do with it, that was a smoke screen, it's just the fact that he's Babe Ruth, lefthanded had beans to do with it. Besides that, look at his last line "don't talk about him no more."

[Joltin' Joe]

I think it was too. I think that in April of 1974, Aaron just wanted to get it over with and probably didn't care where or when he did it.

Yeah I was 10 and watched it on TV with my father. To this day, I am surprised that my father was watching it. He never had any interest in baseball and I never saw him watching another game ever. I remember the big fireworks going off when Aaron hit it and my father and I both looked at each other like that's it? It seemed very anticlimatical after all the excitement and the tension building up to it.

And wamby you're probably right that Aaron just wanted to get it over with.

[Williamsburg2599]

Neither were scum bags I agree. Both had faults, who does not. The difference, Ruth had a better relationship with the fans, not only at home but on the road. Ruth would often banter with the with the fans in away parks, ribbing them and they ribbing him right back. Often after hitting one out these same fans would stand and cheer him.

Over the years it was Barry's own words that often ticked off some fans. Too many to list. One of his latest, "The only number I care about is Babe Ruth's because as a left handed hitter I wiped him out. Don't talk about him no more."

I don't think being left handed had anything to do with it, that was a smoke screen, it's just the fact that he's Babe Ruth, lefthanded had beans to do with it. Besides that, look at his last line "don't talk about him no more."

I think Barry already knows even before he leaves the game, Ruth will always be the measuring stick when great sluggers is the subject. Some of his numbers have been surpassed but he did it all, at the top or near the top in AB/HR ratio, seasons with 50 or more HRs, seasons 40 or more home runs, multiple home run games, career home runs, HR/100 outs, HR/100 Pa, HR%, slugging .690, some of the longest home runs ever. He is first in most of the above, no one makes the the first or second spot more than Ruth. For that matter, are we forgetting, Ruth has already been passed in career home runs by Hank Aaron. Hank had more class than Barry, his words, 'I don't want them to forget Babe Ruth but I want them to remember Henry Aaron".

Bonds and Aaron combined with seasons of at least 130 games hit 40 or home runss 16 times. Combined they had a total of over 40 seasons with 130 or more games.

Ruth had only 13 seasons with at least 130 games and he hit 40 or more 11 times.

All this from a hitter who never hit 40 until his 7th season and had only 49 career home runs after 6 seasons in MLB.

There is no match, look at the whole picture, it's Ruth by a mile.

See? How can people support someone who doesn't want anyone to talk about Ruth after he passes him?????

[Astro]

See? How can people support someone who doesn't want anyone to talk about Ruth after he passes him?????
He is payed to play baseball... not talk about a meaningless record that he has passed, to suck up to the player who he just passed

[Astro]

wow,cheating in a game of cards or on a test isint exactly the same as knowingly cheating at a professional sport and then lieing about it.

Whats the difference

[wamby]

Yeah I was 10 and watched it on TV with my father. To this day, I am surprised that my father was watching it. He never had any interest in baseball and I never saw him watching another game ever. I remember the big fireworks going off when Aaron hit it and my father and I both looked at each other like that's it? It seemed very anticlimatical after all the excitement and the tension building up to it.

And wamby you're probably right that Aaron just wanted to get it over with.

I was almost 10 when Aaron hit it. It was a school day and we were already in bed, but when he hit it my dad got my five year old brother and me out of bed and we got to see the instant replay of it.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

He is payed to play baseball... not talk about a meaningless record that he has passed, to suck up to the player who he just passed

Who said Barry had to suck up to anyone. What angle are you viewing his statement from. Why say anything.

No matter how many times over the years Barry sticks his foot in his mouth, someone will try to defend his choice of words.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

What made Ruth special was that he donated extreme amounts of time, energy, money, and attention toward anybody and everybody, without hesitation, and with a truly genuine heart. Things a man in his position was never expected to do, he did. He wasn't perfect by a long shot, but more than anybody before or since, he understood his position as icon, on and off the field. The list of kind acts that we know about, is too long to mention.

[1doug]

Now that Bonds has/is finding his stroke, i'd say he'll pass Ruth in the next couple weeks.

[Taco De Muerte]

Neither were scum bags I agree. Both had faults, who does not. The difference, Ruth had a better relationship with the fans, not only at home but on the road. Ruth would often banter with the with the fans in away parks, ribbing them and they ribbing him right back. Often after hitting one out these same fans would stand and cheer him.

Over the years it was Barry's own words that often ticked off some fans. Too many to list. One of his latest, "The only number I care about is Babe Ruth's because as a left handed hitter I wiped him out. Don't talk about him no more."

I don't think being left handed had anything to do with it, that was a smoke screen, it's just the fact that he's Babe Ruth, lefthanded had beans to do with it. Besides that, look at his last line "don't talk about him no more."

I think Barry already knows even before he leaves the game, Ruth will always be the measuring stick when great sluggers is the subject. Some of his numbers have been surpassed but he did it all, at the top or near the top in AB/HR ratio, seasons with 50 or more HRs, seasons 40 or more home runs, multiple home run games, career home runs, HR/100 outs, HR/100 Pa, HR%, slugging .690, some of the longest home runs ever. He is first in most of the above, no one makes the the first or second spot more than Ruth. For that matter, are we forgetting, Ruth has already been passed in career home runs by Hank Aaron. Hank had more class than Barry, his words, 'I don't want them to forget Babe Ruth but I want them to remember Henry Aaron".

Bonds and Aaron combined with seasons of at least 130 games hit 40 or home runss 16 times. Combined they had a total of over 40 seasons with 130 or more games.

Ruth had only 13 seasons with at least 130 games and he hit 40 or more 11 times.

All this from a hitter who never hit 40 until his 7th season and had only 49 career home runs after 6 seasons in MLB.

There is no match, look at the whole picture, it's Ruth by a mile.

Shoeless joe, there's no reason to list stats - I never stated that bonds was a superior ballplayer to ruth. That's a whole other arguement. Infact, I'm reading a chapter on that right now in the book " baseball between the numbers ".

Anyway, we are discussing both of their personalities - and quite frankly I don't see much of a difference.

From what I've read - Ruth was a clubhouse cancer whose terrible physical conditioning cost his teams untold games. I believe ruth ended his playing days on a club with a 33-115 record.

Also - I read that Ruth drank a lot during seasons, fought with other managers and players, and allowed his weight to baloon, making a once-swift outfielder into a horrible defensive liability by the of age 30. I also believe i read something about him peeing on teammates.

So from what I've read - he was far from a saint, just like bonds.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Anyway, we are discussing both of their personalities - and quite frankly I don't see much of a difference.

From what I've read - Ruth was a clubhouse cancer whose terrible physical conditioning cost his teams untold games. I believe ruth ended his playing days on a club with a 33-115 record.

Also - I read that Ruth drank a lot during seasons, fought with other managers and players, and allowed his weight to baloon, making a once-swift outfielder into a horrible defensive liability by the of age 30. I also believe i read something about him peeing on teammates.

So from what I've read - he was far from a saint, just like bonds.

Ruth cost his teams untold games, that news to me. His career walks, RBI's and runs scored are all over 2000. No one else has reached 2000 in all three stats. Even more remarkable he compiled the bulk of that in a shorter time than any other, 1920 to 1935 when he took to the outfield. Second highest OBA only .008 behind Ted Williams. Looks to me like he was a real asset to his teams

I don't think we can fault Ruth for the 38-115 record of the 1935 Braves. He had only 72 at bats and left the Braves before the end of May.

I can't see debating why Bonds is so disliked by many and Ruth is not. It's probably mostly due to what I said earlier, both were flawed but Ruth always got along with the fans and for sure Barry's mouth over the years has caused many to dislike him. What ever the case, what ever you or anyone backing Bonds says or points out Ruth's flaws, it's true, Ruth is a more likable guy.

I think it's plain to see, whats to debate, maybe all don't agree but Barry is not well liked.

[Joltin' Joe]

Ruth cost his teams untold games, that news to me.

Don't let the 235.4 WARP3 fool you Shoeless! :D

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Shoeless joe, there's no reason to list stats - I never stated that bonds was a superior ballplayer to ruth. That's a whole other arguement. Infact, I'm reading a chapter on that right now in the book " baseball between the numbers ".

Anyway, we are discussing both of their personalities - and quite frankly I don't see much of a difference.

From what I've read - Ruth was a clubhouse cancer whose terrible physical conditioning cost his teams untold games. I believe ruth ended his playing days on a club with a 33-115 record.

Also - I read that Ruth drank a lot during seasons, fought with other managers and players, and allowed his weight to baloon, making a once-swift outfielder into a horrible defensive liability by the of age 30. I also believe i read something about him peeing on teammates.

So from what I've read - he was far from a saint, just like bonds.

You must be same same person as Gooooooo and all those other screen names, because they're the only one this ignorant about Ruth, who makes it a point to babble mindless BS. "From what you've read?" What exactly have you read? Did you read the book in your hand or just look at the pretty pictures? Not gonna bother chopping your post up and correcting you. Waste of time.

[west coast orange and black]

"8,398"
(keep repeating)

[Sultan_1895-1948]

"8,398"
(keep repeating)

yeah, or "11.76 natural"

[Williamsburg2599]

He is payed to play baseball... not talk about a meaningless record that he has passed, to suck up to the player who he just passed
He doesn't have to suck up, just have some respect for a better ballplayer than himself and someone who had some repect for the game.(And he hasn't passed Ruth)
Whats the difference
Your joking right?cheating on a test in elementry school basically affects nothing.Cheating in a game of cards robs one person of a few bucks at the most.Cheating at the national pastime and robbing millions of baseball fans and one of the greatest baseball players of all time of a record and then trying to get people to forget about by not talking about it or telling people to forget about Ruth?theres a diffrence.
Shoeless joe, there's no reason to list stats - I never stated that bonds was a superior ballplayer to ruth. That's a whole other arguement. Infact, I'm reading a chapter on that right now in the book " baseball between the numbers ".

Anyway, we are discussing both of their personalities - and quite frankly I don't see much of a difference.

From what I've read - Ruth was a clubhouse cancer whose terrible physical conditioning cost his teams untold games. I believe ruth ended his playing days on a club with a 33-115 record.

Also - I read that Ruth drank a lot during seasons, fought with other managers and players, and allowed his weight to baloon, making a once-swift outfielder into a horrible defensive liability by the of age 30. I also believe i read something about him peeing on teammates.

So from what I've read - he was far from a saint, just like bonds.

Ive also read of him pointing at the center field flag pole and then hitting it there to win the game. Myths are myths.He might of peed on a team mates,who knows? But ive also heard how he used to go to the local soda shop in my local town during his days in Boston and bring the kids to the local field to play.

He also only played in 28 games his season with the Braves.

[Taco De Muerte]

Ruth cost his teams untold games, that news to me. His career walks, RBI's and runs scored are all over 2000. No one else has reached 2000 in all three stats. Even more remarkable he compiled the bulk of that in a shorter time than any other, 1920 to 1935 when he took to the outfield. Second highest OBA only .008 behind Ted Williams. Looks to me like he was a real asset to his teams

I don't think we can fault Ruth for the 38-115 record of the 1935 Braves. He had only 72 at bats and left the Braves before the end of May.

I can't see debating why Bonds is so disliked by many and Ruth is not. It's probably mostly due to what I said earlier, both were flawed but Ruth always got along with the fans and for sure Barry's mouth over the years has caused many to dislike him. What ever the case, what ever you or anyone backing Bonds says or points out Ruth's flaws, it's true, Ruth is a more likable guy.

I think it's plain to see, whats to debate, maybe all don't agree but Barry is not well liked.

Shoeless, I can see this is a touchy subject for you, and others - So I'll leave it at that.

I never said bonds should be loved by anyone - Though I don't think he should be despised the way he is. But to pretend that ruth was some sort of saint who did no-wrong and was a " lovable guy " is ridiculous, IMO. This seems to happen to many legends.


You must be same same person as Gooooooo and all those other screen names, because they're the only one this ignorant about Ruth, who makes it a point to babble mindless BS. "From what you've read?" What exactly have you read? Did you read the book in your hand or just look at the pretty pictures? Not gonna bother chopping your post up and correcting you. Waste of time.

What the hell ?


Ive also read of him pointing at the center field flag pole and then hitting it there to win the game. Myths are myths.He might of peed on a team mates,who knows? But ive also heard how he used to go to the local soda shop in my local town during his days in Boston and bring the kids to the local field to play.

He also only played in 28 games his season with the Braves.

Whatever man - believe what you want. Barry Bonds is satan, ruth was god.

This isn't worth my time or effort - some of these characters get their panties in a bunch every-time someone brings up Babe Ruth without saying he was better at everything than anyone born or believe he was sort some of god that everyone during his time referred to as " Messiah ".

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

How about you add "he will never pass him"

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Don't let the 235.4 WARP3 fool you Shoeless! :D

Not a chance of that happening.;)

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Shoeless, I can see this is a touchy subject for you, and others - So I'll leave it at that.

I never said bonds should be loved by anyone - Though I don't think he should be despised the way he is. But to pretend that ruth was some sort of saint who did no-wrong and was a " lovable guy " is ridiculous, IMO. This seems to happen to many legends.



Not touchy at all. I make no bones about it, to me Ruth was the most destructive force to step into the batters box, over a whole career not just a short peak. To me Babe Ruth's only rival when the subject is combination hitter slugger over a whole career is Ted Williams. The key word is whole career, thats what sets him and Ted Williams apart from all the rest.

So when I see some one post the notion that Ruth cost his teams many games, after I stop laughing, I reply to it and I feature his strong points.

Ruth was not a saint but may I repeat he always made a good connection with the fans home and away. His faults were probably forgiven because he showed a genuine love for the fans, hospital visits, pulling up a chair and signing autographs till writers cramps put an end to it.

Barry may not be that bad of a guy but he just can't connect with the majority of the fans, thats not a crime.

Think of it, Ruth almost always with that big grin, happy go lucky. Barry more serious, is anything wrong with Barry and his outward appearance, certainly not but mostwill take to the happy go lucky guy. It's called human nature, it effects how we take to some more than others.

To just touch on another subject, Barry's legacy to the game. Like him or not it's a shame that his story has a bit of a sad ending. We don't know the whole story yet but it appears he did use steroids, did he use them after the ban we don't know, may never know. The sad part of the story that some evidence leads some to believe that he did use them before and maybe after the ban and that will cause many to put some of his numbers in doubt.

If he did go that way, too bad, a mistake. We all could have believed with no doubt that we saw one of the best in our time because Barry without steroids was a great, great ball player but now he leaves us with doubts.

[Sultan_1895-1948]

Whatever man - believe what you want. Barry Bonds is satan, ruth was god.

This isn't worth my time or effort - some of these characters get their panties in a bunch every-time someone brings up Babe Ruth without saying he was better at everything than anyone born or believe he was sort some of god that everyone during his time referred to as " Messiah ".

You're missing the whole point. Nobody has stated Ruth was god, or that Bonds is satan.

There's no problem with you bringing up Ruth's negatives as long as you're accurate. If you're accurate, then you'll be agreed with by anyone with knowledge on the matter. Did he drink a lot, yes. Was he a drunk, no. Did he have the best manners, no. Was he generous, yes. Did he love women, yes. Did he love kids, yes. Did he go out of his way to make people happy, yes. Did he sometimes hurt the feelings of those around him with no malice in his heart, yes. Did he sometimes do good things without true love in his heart, yes.

Just look deeper if you're going to knock on him. Don't use some vague "well from what I've read" nonsense. Where did you read it. What exactly did you read. Do you understand why his social skills lacked grace? Do you understand why he had an insatiable appetite for food, women, attention, affection, respect, etc.? Do you know why he related to kids so well? Do you know what was the root cause of his suspensions in '22? Do you know the ins and outs of his relationship with Miller Huggins/Ed Barrow? Do you know all the good he did on and off the field for baseball and America in general? Just dig deeper, that's all.

[Williamsburg2599]

Anybody read the Bonds story(the recent one) in ESPN magizine?