756!

[TonyStarks]

He did it.

Maybe ESPN can now stop shoving Barry Bonds down my throat and the Bonds hysteria could be over.

I wonder, Is it's time to move on past Bonds and move onto cleaning up the sport?

[ColbyPants]

He did it.

a no doubter too.


we can argue merits later, right now, :applaud:congratulations to Mr. Bonds.:applaud:

TomC

[redlegsfan21]

Listened to it on Gameday Audio. What a call!

[digglahhh]

Mike Bacsik, you are now an answer to a trivia question.

[TonyStarks]

And just in case if no one knew what this HR was....ESPN just cut in and let you know what HR this was.

Hank Aaron has just chimed in via a recorded message giving his congratulations and best wishes.

[Dravecky43]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



He Did It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Francoeurstein]

I just started crying I swear to god. When he was doing the speech, I couldn't help it.

[Knick9]

Apparently, it looked to me that a guy in a Mets jersey came up with the ball. I wonder what he will do now....

Goodness, did you see the pile the fans made to get the ball?

[psbaseballfan27]

Congrads to Bonds. Glad he did it in SF.

[TonyStarks]

I just saw ESPN flash a ticker proclaiming Barry Bonds the "Home Run King".
IMO, I beg to differ.


He maybe the All-Time Home Run Leader....but The Babe will always
be the Home Run King!

[geezer]

Finally we can move on with our lives, finally no controversy tonight, and now Bochy took Bonds out of the lineup.

[Jayme]

Yeah really the guy in the #22 jersey a minute after the ball landed crowd surfing. That was nuts.

Gotta say my congrats in the moment no matter what my opinion of the fact may be. Amazing feat.

[NYMets523]

I'd post my dad's reaction but I'd be banned. All I'll say is that it was 2 very, very, very bad words.

[Knick9]

This is a sad night in baseball. I won't degrade msyelf to swearing, but I refuse to enjoy or like this moment. All I'm concerned about though is that pile the crowd made when the ball landed. That was just bizarre.

[Zito75]

Congrats to the dude who caught the ball. Sell it now and buy a house before A-Rod breaks the record again.

[TonyStarks]

Finally we can move on with our lives, finally no controversy tonight, and now Bochy took Bonds out of the lineup.

Amen to that.


Just gotta say, I just heard John Kruk say that we should celebrate Barry Bonds and unless Barry Bonds is found to have been a 'heavy' steroids user that's all that would change his mind.

So I guess Kruk is saying a 'little' steriods is okay, but not alot of steroids.

[Atlanta Braves Freak]

He did it.

Maybe ESPN can now stop shoving Barry Bonds down my throat and the Bonds hysteria could be over.

I wonder, Is it's time to move on past Bonds and move onto cleaning up the sport?
Yeah, I'm tired of watching ESPNEWS and seeing "Bonds goes 0-4", in the bottom right corner every night.

[NYMets523]

Amen to that.


Just gotta say, I just heard John Kruk say that we should celebrate Barry Bonds and unless Barry Bonds is found to have been a 'heavy' steroids user that's all that would change his mind.

So I guess Kruk is saying a 'little' steriods is okay, but not alot of steroids.

Well, Kruk is an idiot.

[Francoeurstein]

Yeah, I'm tired of watching ESPNEWS and seeing "Bonds goes 0-4", in the bottom right corner every night.

AMEN! Us brave's fans think alike =).

[Francoeurstein]

Amen to that.


Just gotta say, I just heard John Kruk say that we should celebrate Barry Bonds and unless Barry Bonds is found to have been a 'heavy' steroids user that's all that would change his mind.

So I guess Kruk is saying a 'little' steriods is okay, but not alot of steroids.

A light steroid user! Wow Kruk your hilarious. Steroids are steroids put an asterisk over Barry Bonds name.


"WE SHOULD PUT ATERISKS OVER EVERYTHING FROM 1985-2008." John Kruk.


Who else heard him say that???

[Williamsburg2599]

All I can say is I wish I could enjoyed that moment.

[natsnsoxfan]

Well, Kruk is an idiot.

Better than listening to the drunken ramblings of Steve Phillips. Anyone ever notice that when he makes a prediction the exact opposite happens?

This is a sad night in baseball. I won't degrade msyelf to swearing, but I refuse to enjoy or like this moment. All I'm concerned about though is that pile the crowd made when the ball landed. That was just bizarre.

I totally agree. I cannot voice my displeasure for Bonds enough.

[Williamsburg2599]

I just saw ESPN flash a ticker proclaiming Barry Bonds the "Home Run King".
IMO, I beg to differ.


He maybe the All-Time Home Run Leader....but The Babe will always
be the Home Run King!

Sadaharu Oh waves hello. :waving ;)

[Francoeurstein]

All I can say is I wish I could enjoyed that moment.

We'll enjoy it in 8 years when A-rod breaks it.

[NYMets523]

Better than listening to the drunken ramblings of Steve Phillips. Anyone ever notice that when he makes a prediction the exact opposite happens?

At least Steve Phillips wrote the best explanation of waiver-wire trades. That'll be on his tombstone.

[Francoeurstein]

I know I've posted a lot on this thread and I apologize but.

I secretly think the ESPN analysts can't say anything about Bonds on roid's because they will get fired and sued haha.:laugh :laugh :laugh

[AutographCollector]

Sadaharu Oh waves hello. :waving ;)

:laugh :nod:
Good call.

I wish I would have worked overtime tonight. I had walked in the door from work and flipped on MASN2 (Channel of the Nats). When I clicked on the channel Bonds was just walking up to bat. SOMETHING told me to sit on the couch and watch his at bat. Sure enough he blasted one sky high. Kudos to the guy wearing the Mets jersey who caught the ball.
Now I pray that we won't have 40 Barry Bonds threads in a row from now on. I prefer to talk about the heated races for 1st place and the such.

[TonyStarks]

Better than listening to the drunken ramblings of Steve Phillips. Anyone ever notice that when he makes a prediction the exact opposite happens?



I totally agree. I cannot voice my displeasure for Bonds enough.

Maybe that's why big dummy was fired by the Mets.
I never understood why ESPN thought he'd make a great analyst.
The guy did nothing but set the Mets back about 10 years via Trades and Mo Vaughn's appetite. I can't think of one positive thing he did for the Mets.


Sadaharu Oh waves hello. :waving ;)

You say Home Run King and people do not think Sadaharu.
They think the Sultan of Swat, The Babe, The Bambino.

But yes Oh is the Recorder Holder of Most Home Runs.


I know I've posted a lot on this thread and I apologize but.

I secretly think the ESPN analysts can't say anything about Bonds on roid's because they will get fired and sued haha.:laugh :laugh :laugh

They could add the word, "alledgedly". :laugh

[John Shoemaker]

Amen to that.


Just gotta say, I just heard John Kruk say that we should celebrate Barry Bonds and unless Barry Bonds is found to have been a 'heavy' steroids user that's all that would change his mind.

So I guess Kruk is saying a 'little' steriods is okay, but not alot of steroids.

Especially since Bonds probably faced a lot of pitchers that were heavy steroid users.

[Texas Rangers]

i have nothing to say. barry bonds doesnt deserve the record and hank aaron is still the record holder if you ask me.

[AutographCollector]

i have nothing to say. barry bonds doesnt deserve the record and hank aaron is still the record holder if you ask me.

This is my last post in this thread (Going to unsubscribe from this thread).
I concur 110% with you. Aaron's record wasn't tarnished. And when asked about it, Bonds gets all huffy puffy.

[Williamsburg2599]

You say Home Run King and people do not think Sadaharu.
They think the Sultan of Swat, The Babe, The Bambino.

But yes Oh is the Recorder Holder of Most Home Runs.




Depends what people you ask, and what continent they're on.;) I liked the Oh call better than the Bonds one anyways. :D

[Matt1901]

Despite the clouds that loom over Bonds, it is pretty interesting to see. It's the most magical record in all of sports.

Also, I would like to say bravo to Hank Aaron for such a wonderful statement.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Well, I don't know about any of you, but I did enjoy the moment. I'm glad I saw it. I'll never forget it.

This doesn't make me a Bonds sympathizer, though. I'm sure he took steroids and I bet a lot of crazy hell is going to happen over the next few years or so about it.

However, I cheered for the moment and I felt good for his family, and I felt good for Willie Mays. I appreciated Aaron's congratulatory message and I even wished that Bobby Bonds could have seen it. I appreciated the moment.

But now, life goes on.

[ColbyPants]

Sadaharu Oh waves hello. :waving ;)


EXACTLY!


Very Good Point!


TomC

[TonyStarks]

The record hasn't been broken that long ago and already ESPN has had 5 Breaking Alerts.

And I goto ESPN's site now and I get a popup window telling me about the Breaking News Alert of 756!

As much as I never wanted to see Bonds break the record, deep down I'm just glad it's over and we could get back to baseball.

I've got heavy Barry Bonds-fatigue.:crazy

[natsnsoxfan]

Eh, true. Not the point of this thread though. I can't wait until A-Rod and Pujols both come around and pass Bonds.

[TonyStarks]

Depends what people you ask, and what continent they're on.;) I liked the Oh call better than the Bonds one anyways. :D

I saw the HR and honestly...it was a terrible call.
The call wasn't exciting or anything. Nope, not memorable at all.

I saw it and shook my head...It was just very "blah".

I thought it would be a more magical moment.
Maybe if they had Vin Scully calling the HR it might have gave me chills....but this call was just 'meh'.

[NYMets523]

A Met fan caught the ball. It's kind of coicidental that Bacsick,a former Met, gave it up and it happened to land right in the hands of the only non-Giant fan, a Met fan, in the entire stadium.

[KCGHOST]

Bonds should be congratulated for a major achievement. A wonderful message from Hank Aaron was a real highlight of the celebration. Also, you had to enjoy seeing Willie Mays there for this and being brought onto the field.

Let's fight the steroids battle in some other thread.

[slaytanicsdmf]

Well, I don't know about any of you, but I did enjoy the moment. I'm glad I saw it. I'll never forget it.

This doesn't make me a Bonds sympathizer, though. I'm sure he took steroids and I bet a lot of crazy hell is going to happen over the next few years or so about it.

However, I cheered for the moment and I felt good for his family, and I felt good for Willie Mays. I appreciated Aaron's congratulatory message and I even wished that Bobby Bonds could have seen it. I appreciated the moment.

But now, life goes on.

Wow, you basically just put my thoughts into words before I got the opportunity.

I was also very pleased to see Hank's message. Class act. I guarantee you when somebody passes Bonds, Barry will do nothing like that.

[JRJohnson6]

I saw the HR and honestly...it was a terrible call.
The call wasn't exciting or anything. Nope, not memorable at all.

I saw it and shook my head...It was just very "blah".

I thought it would be a more magical moment.
Maybe if they had Vin Scully calling the HR it might have gave me chills....but this call was just 'meh'.

Good point. I thought the same thing. No real excitement. Honestly, I think this is a great microcosm of the event. Here is an announcer that I honestly believe is too afraid to get real excited about the event.

I'm glad that it is over. I have to admit, as much as I hate Bonds I got chills when I watched it. Like thousands out there, I am conflicted by the entire event. I want to applaud the man like hell, but yet I also want to curse him. Something inside me says that since I wasn't alive when Aaron broke the record, then I still haven't seen a HR record being broken. When someone breaks Bonds' record, whether it be ARod or someone else, I believe baseball and many of its fans will finally breath a sigh of relief becaue the most coveted record in all of sports will no longer be tainted.

[JRJohnson6]

I was also very pleased to see Hank's message. Class act. I guarantee you when somebody passes Bonds, Barry will do nothing like that.

Wow, strong words. Unfortunately, I think you are correct. Will be interesting to see. However, since everyone thinks ARod will break this, I will bring up that I have heard that ARod and Bonds are pretty good buddies. Should be interesting.

[metfan13]

I'm happy I missed it.

Of course I'll see it somewhere sometime. But I really don't care about Barry and his tainted record/career.

[Ytown Tribe fan]

Q: Was Hank a "class act" for ignoring Barry, or was Hank a "class act" for acknowledging Barry?

A: Yes. As with everything else, the mediots want it both ways.

Barry was a hero in 2001, and Sammy and Mac "saved" baseball a couple of years before. Now all are shamed by the same mediots who glorified then a few years ago.

Maybe now people can simply deal with Barry as a ballplayer and a great hitter. About time, too.

[Dravecky43]

I guarantee you when somebody passes Bonds, Barry will do nothing like that.

Nope, he won't. He'll be there and pass the torch in person (health permitting, of course, just like Hank). He isn't nearly as bad as the media has made him out to be, people.

And whether you like it or not,

BARRY IS THE HOME RUN KING!

[Williamsburg2599]

Nope, he won't. He'll be there and pass the torch in person (health permitting, of course, just like Hank). He isn't nearly as bad as the media has made him out to be, people.



You're a personal friend of Barry?

[BlueBlood]

Let's give him some credit. After all, it took a lot of work to cheat his way to the top. :clapping

[mwb]

Finally we can move on with our lives, finally no controversy tonight, and now Bochy took Bonds out of the lineup.

...because he had a date with a cup LOL.

I only say that because I think I remember Verlander mentioning supplying a sample after his no hitter.

[Skin & Bones]

Let's give him some credit. After all, it took a lot of work to cheat his way to the top. :clapping

Actually, you can argue that it did, given that steroids take prolonged hours at the gym to even reap from it's benefits.

A hard-working cheater, gee, who thought they even existed?:crazy

[brewcrew82]

I must admit I enjoyed the moment (actually alot more than I thought I would) and am glad I had the opportunit to see it.

I'm very happy that this chase is over with and the season can now get back to normal without all the reports of how Barry's day went.

[Edgartohof]

Congrats to Barry on #756!!!!!

[mwb]

I just saw the 1 minute clip on Yahoo. It looked like a great moment for the fans.

[redlegsfan21]

Wow, you basically just put my thoughts into words before I got the opportunity.

I was also very pleased to see Hank's message. Class act. I guarantee you when somebody passes Bonds, Barry will do nothing like that.

I swear that during the ASG Per-Game show that Barry said that he would be present if A-Rod challenged his record.

[BenB]

Yawn.

Maybe ESPN will stop the lovefest now.

Go ARod.

[Williamsburg2599]

Wow, I almost fell out of my chair, the last question of his press conference was from a Japanese reporter: "What do you think of Sadaharu Oh's 868?" :D :laugh :thumbsup:




And for those of you who think the Bond's coverage is over, we ain't out of the woods yet.

[redlegsfan21]

I have to say this is the greatest moment I have witnessed in my life as a baseball fan. I wasn't born yet when Rose passed Cobb or Aaron passed Ruth. I was only one when the Reds went wire-to-wire. When McGwire passed Maris, I wasn't a person who would pay attention to things like that. I saw Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine get their 300th win and I saw Griffey's 500th career home run. Even the greatest game I've ever witnessed (6/30/06 CLE@CIN) doesn't match this moment. When I was listening to the Giants Radio Network, it seemed that Jon Miller was just setting this moment up perfectly. And when he started the call of the homer, I just knew it and started to cheer. It just felt great to listen to this perfect game and listen as the greatest record was being eclipsed. Those who say that Barry is not the Home Run King (except Oh), I think it is hard to argue with the fact that Barry has 756 and Henry 755. And even Henry Aaron passed the torch to Barry Bonds.

[Elvis]

EXACTLY!


Very Good Point!


TomC

Josh Gibson says, "Hey".

[Williamsburg2599]

Josh Gibson says, "Hey".

How many HRs did he *exactly* hit? ;) :shrug:

[Elvis]

How many HRs did he *exactly* hit? ;) :shrug:

That wasn't my point, but never mind.

[RichardLillard1]

Better than listening to the drunken ramblings of Steve Phillips. Anyone ever notice that when he makes a prediction the exact opposite happens?

Kruk's been wrong about his fair share of stuff too. Anyone else recall him saying at the All-Star break that the Diamondbacks would finish either in last place or just in front of the Giants?

Or the time he's opened his mouth and said, well, take your pick, there's so much there to choose from.

It realy is a shame that this record must no be tarnished. It is an amazing feat, you can be assured of that. But using drugs to hit the ball harder and farther is not the way to go about it.

Anyone remember this article?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/magazine/03/06/growth0313/

If I'm not mistaken the two who wrote that are now facing jail time (or were at least threatened with it) because they published the truth that no one was supposed to see.


Richard

[west coast orange and black]

jefffrancoeur7: I just started crying I swear to god. When he was doing the speech, I couldn't help it.

the place erupted in a spontaneous roar when henry aaron appeared on the big screen. it was loud.

[west coast orange and black]

nymets523: I'd post my dad's reaction but I'd be banned. All I'll say is that it was 2 very, very, very bad words.

anger, if not restrained, is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it.
-lucius annaeus seneca, philosopher (bce 3-65 ce)

[west coast orange and black]

texas rangers: i have nothing to say. barry bonds doesnt deserve the record and hank aaron is still the record holder if you ask me.

"I would like to offer my congratulations to Barry Bonds on becoming baseball's career home run leader. It is a great accomplishment which required skill, longevity and determination.

"Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball and I have been privileged to hold this record for 33 of those years. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historic achievement.

"My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams."
-hank aaron congratulating barry bonds via message board

[Skin & Bones]

Kruk's been wrong about his fair share of stuff too. Anyone else recall him saying at the All-Star break that the Diamondbacks would finish either in last place or just in front of the Giants?

Or the time he's opened his mouth and said, well, take your pick, there's so much there to choose from.

It realy is a shame that this record must no be tarnished. It is an amazing feat, you can be assured of that. But using drugs to hit the ball harder and farther is not the way to go about it.

Anyone remember this article?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/magazine/03/06/growth0313/

If I'm not mistaken the two who wrote that are now facing jail time (or were at least threatened with it) because they published the truth that no one was supposed to see.


Richard


aren't they in jail because they wouldn't reveal their source who provided them with information that was obtained illegally?

[west coast orange and black]

samthebravesfan: However, I cheered for the moment and I felt good for his family, and I felt good for Willie Mays. I appreciated Aaron's congratulatory message and I even wished that Bobby Bonds could have seen it. I appreciated the moment.

bonds was interviewed on the field after the game.
he thanked his family, the giants organization, his teammates, the fans, willie mays, hank aaron, the sports greats (muhammad ali, joe montana, wayne gretzky, michael jordan) who delivered special messages recently via the big screen... but got noticeably choked up and nearly lost it when he mentioned his father, bobby.

[west coast orange and black]

slaytanicsdmf: I was also very pleased to see Hank's message. Class act.

a class act indeed.

importantly, aaron realized that he had to address bonds' inevitable 756 for several reasons. arguably most important was so that sportswriters could call bonds the new home run champ.

aaron, with the same grace and humility that first caused me years ago to select him as one of my favorite players, was the first to publicly announce a new champion.

[west coast orange and black]

jrjohnson6: ...I believe baseball and many of its fans will finally breath a sigh of relief becaue the most coveted record in all of sports will no longer be tainted.

when bonds was asked about holding the most coveted record in all of sports
he explained that no one plays all sports and that champions of different sports rightfully are on equal footing; that no one sport is better than another; no "best lifetime record" is more important than another.

[west coast orange and black]

dravecky43: [Bonds'll] be there and pass the torch in person...

bonds has been saying such since last may.
during the all-star game to peter gammons he stated that he would be present when the all-time record falls ("wild horses couldn't keep me away").

[west coast orange and black]

digglahhh: Mike Bacsik, you are now an answer to a trivia question.

q: who are the only father and son to each face hitters with 755 home runs?

[west coast orange and black]

kcghost: Bonds should be congratulated for a major achievement .... Let's fight the steroids battle in some other thread.

especially because the above appears in a thread titled "756!", you, kcghost, are a class act.

[Mattingly]

The NY Daily News (along with a few federal agencies) says hello! :D

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/08/08/alg_barrybonds756_4.jpg

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/static/sports/alg_crime-scene.jpg

[iPod]

Here is an announcer that I honestly believe is too afraid to get real excited about the event.


As someone who has listened to Duane Kuiper over the years, I am positive that's not what happened here. I'm sure any Giants fan on the board would agree with me about that.

[downstairs]

I saw the HR and honestly...it was a terrible call.
The call wasn't exciting or anything. Nope, not memorable at all.

I saw it and shook my head...It was just very "blah".

I thought it would be a more magical moment.
Maybe if they had Vin Scully calling the HR it might have gave me chills....but this call was just 'meh'.

Because it wasn't a magical moment. It is mixed feeling all of America has, so you need to treat it that way

(Because there are, believe it or not, people that think he never did steroids.)

[rockin500]

The NY Daily News (along with a few federal agencies) says hello! :D

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2007/08/08/alg_barrybonds756_4.jpg

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/static/sports/alg_crime-scene.jpg
does anyone with a shred of decency actually care what the dishrags have to say?

he hit 756, and that was truly impressive however he got there. I would have cheered if I were still up at that time.

Barry isnt the HR King in my mind, but that doesnt diminish what he did either (i still think of Ruth as such, but thats just a personal opinion).

[downstairs]

slaytanicsdmf: I was also very pleased to see Hank's message. Class act.

a class act indeed.

importantly, aaron realized that he had to address bonds' inevitable 756 for several reasons. arguably most important was so that sportswriters could call bonds the new home run champ.

aaron, with the same grace and humility that first caused me years ago to select him as one of my favorite players, was the first to publicly announce a new champion.

Do you also believe the concession speeches candidates give after losing- the ones about "working together, etc."- are sincere?

Man, I know you're a Giants fan... but step away from the Kool-Aid for a second.

Want to talk about class? How about have some respect for some of us who've grown up cherishing these sorts of records that have to watch a guy who cheated (almost specifically to break these records) take the record... and have no way of doing anything about it.

A classier response from Hank would have been: "due to the nature of the controversy, I wish not to involve myself in this or comment at this time."

[cavalier1968]

This home run brought to you by:

"The cream"....when youre feelin tired and weak.....grab some cream!

"The clear"......helps with strength and endurance...

Cav

This record is null and void...just like Bonds attitude

[BuccoFanInBawlmer]

I have respect for the history of the moment...but not for how the moment was reached.

Was it Mitch Albom who said the other day, now that Bonds has broken the record, just take his bat and go away? I vote for that.

[wogdoggy]

BONDS IS A CHEAT

he has stayed in the game longer at a higher level of play BECAUSE of his steroid use..nobodys taking away his ability,,but the fact is his longevity edge has been gained because of steroid use...and dont give me the crap hes innoscent until proven guilty stuff..if you believe that you prolly think o.j.'s innocent.

[JRJohnson6]

jrjohnson6: ...I believe baseball and many of its fans will finally breath a sigh of relief becaue the most coveted record in all of sports will no longer be tainted.

when bonds was asked about holding the most coveted record in all of sports
he explained that no one plays all sports and that champions of different sports rightfully are on equal footing; that no one sport is better than another; no "best lifetime record" is more important than another.


Well, I can tell you one thing, here in the other part of the US (those of us not ate up with a steroid user) believe that just about anything that comes out of Barry Bonds' mouth is BS. I am actually a little taken aback that he didn't say "Yes, I have the greatest record in all of sports". However, just because Barry said that it wasn't necassarily the greatest record doesn't mean that it isn't. I believe that it has been scientifically proven that the hardest thing to do in sports is hit a round ball with a round bat. The fact that Barry Bonds has hit round balls with his round bats out of parks more than anyone else tells me that yes, he DOES have the greatest record in sports. And yes, most baseball fans WILL breath a sigh of relief when it is broken again.

[Yankee Legend]

Congrats Barry!! I've been rooting for you but don't get used to it. A Mr. Rodriguez will pass you soon!! (And I hope he does it as a Yankee!)

[538280]

Congratulations to Barry Bonds-the best player I've ever seen by far. I definitely enjoyed the moment.

[538280]

Here's one other thing I think: Records are overrated. I really don't care about the all time home run record. It's something that's fun to think about, who has hit the most balls out of the seats of anyone in history, but when it really comes down to it it is just a counting stat with no context and that shows no part of the bigger picture. The media and such on ESPN act as if career records are how who are the best players should ideally be determined-that's just wrong. All records are products of the their time and most of them come from eras in which were conducive to whatever statistical category the record was. There are very few baseball records held which are from eras where that category WASN'T prominent. To evaluate players serioulsly everything should be put into context of when they played. Records are fun and all, but really when it comes down to it they're meaningless, at least to me. Barry Bonds has always been one of my favorite players since I was very young and started following the game, I'm very glad he has the record now, but records really just don't mean much to me.

[Dodgerfan1]

Aquí está el tono a Bonds.... ES EL DEJAR-CENTRO PROFUNDO DEL GOLPE... GOAL!!! GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL, GOAL.....GOOOOOAAAAAL!

Congrats, Bonds. Now maybe we can get on with the rest of the season.....

[hellborn]

Ehh...who cares about Barry, at this point.
I think the best thing to do is ignore him.
I guess it's nice for the SF fans to have something to get excited about this season.

[Francoeurstein]

ESPN strikes again it PISSES me off. All the showed was Barry and of course.... the YANKEES game!!!! GOOD LORD! I HATE ESPN!

[Mariano_Rivera]

I think A-Rod is suddenly going to become a lot more popular

[Barry(US)Bonds]

The Greatest Of All Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[redlegsfan21]

The Greatest Of All Time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I still say Babe Ruth because hey, Barry Bonds can't pitch. Plus, we all remember when Babe Ruth threw that combined no-hitter.

[brewers96]

I just started crying I swear to god. When he was doing the speech, I couldn't help it.
I started crying too. I just got into bed and was watching the end of the Brewers game but then turned to ESPN2, put my glasses on and watched the atbat and glad I did!!

CONGRATS TO BARRY BONDS ON BECOMING BASEBALL'S NEW HOME RUN KING!!

[Dodgerfan1]

I still say Babe Ruth because hey, Barry Bonds can't pitch. Plus, we all remember when Babe Ruth threw that combined no-hitter.

Yeah, he walked a guy, got kicked out of the game and then watched Ernie Shore 'close' it out for him! :laugh

[redlegsfan21]

Here's my question, why did Bochy take Bonds out, he was a triple away from the cycle?

[milladrive]

Hollow, Not Hallowed.

By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports national columnist.
August 7, 2007

Long gone and a long time coming, the Barry Bonds-propelled baseball soared into the California sky and right through history; a history no one will ever be able to fully explain to future generations of skeptical fans.

Bonds has hit 756 home runs, the most ever, but it isn't just the number that comes with a performance-enhancing-inspired asterisk. It's Bonds himself, it's baseball as a whole, it's an era of sports where rule-breaking is rampant and honest heroes such as Henry Aaron are in the shortest of supplies.

Around the country, Bonds' home run will be met with cheers and curses but mostly with shrugged shoulders and pointed fingers. There are a multitude of guilty targets.

If this was supposedly the making of history, then realize history isn't going to make much of this. Ten, 30, 50 years from now, it will be looked upon with bewilderment – did people really celebrate a phony number that punctuated a fraudulent era of the game? No one will give much credence to what happened in Major League Baseball from, say, 1996 to the advent of mandatory steroids testing.

Technically, Bonds swung, connected and sent a ball out of the park 756 different times in his 22-season career. But it takes Easter Bunny-level gullibility to believe he did it naturally.

His numbers are nonsensical – most notably the absurd 73 homers in 2001, a total 19.7 percent greater than Roger Maris' mark of 61, which hasn't been touched without massive suspicion in 46 years and counting.

Forty-six year old records don't just fall by 19.7 percent. Or even by the 14.7 percent Mark McGwire exceeded Maris' record in 1998. If someone were to shave 19.7 percent off the current world record in the mile run (3:43.13), he'd finish at 2:59.2. Yes, a three-minute mile. You think you'd believe something so statistically improbable? How about 100-meter dash in 7.8 seconds? You think your grandkids would buy that one, or mock it as some old fish story?

Guess what, they aren't going to believe 73, either. And without those, Bonds didn't pass Aaron.

Bonds' ties to disgraced BALCO labs, the fact that his personal trainer is behind bars for refusal to turn over evidence on him, and the possible federal indictment on perjury charges this fall means that 756 deceives only the most dim or devout.

The saddest part is that Bonds never needed it, that in surpassing the most hallowed record in baseball he tarnished his reputation to the point his apologists have to remind people that he was Hall-of-Fame-worthy long before baseball's "Steroid Era" began.

Bonds should be hitting his, say, 650th clean homer about now, continuing to build the case that he is the greatest ballplayer of all time. That is how great he was, and is. He never needed the juice. His legacy would have been so much greater, meant so much more without it.

But that wasn't enough. In the exhaustive Bonds biography "Love Me, Hate Me," it is surmised that he was jealous over the attention lapped on McGwire, a lesser talent who looked comically juiced as he clubbed the 70 questionable home runs in 1998.

And, that is where this is about so much more than Bonds. That is why the melancholy of this record falling sweeps over a cast of the craven.

This is baseball's shame too, from commissioner Bud Selig on down. Inside the game, they knew the numbers of the late 1990s were as artificial as the players' biceps. No one dared to care. This was about making money after the disastrous canceling of the 1994 World Series.

The world Bonds and the others operated in came with tacit approval from above. Bonds may be a lout – a man born into privilege who would throw his jock on the floor, not in a nearby hamper, so he could watch a low-paid clubhouse worker pick it up – but he didn't start the drug era. He did it naturally and fumed while a bunch of clowns surpassed him.

So if you can't beat 'em, join 'em, right? It isn't excusable, of course. But at the time, it was all so clouded. No testing. No concern. No comment. Just Selig, team owners and the players perpetuating a dishonest game on the fans.

"I'm sick of Bud Selig and Major League Baseball, the way they've been grandstanding," Detroit Tigers outfielder Gary Sheffield ranted to USA Today. "Why doesn't Bud Selig tell the truth? Why does he keep lying and saying he doesn't know nothing about nothing? He knew everything (about steroids) we (the players) knew.

"Bud Selig wants to talk about the integrity of the game? To him, the integrity of the game is how much money they make."

Selig maintains he knew nothing definitive, and that his efforts to take action earlier were met by the stiff resistance from the players' union. In the court of public opinion, though, Selig is seen as no more believable than Bonds.

That soaring shot, No. 756, is just one more reminder of an era that will be impossible to defend to future fans. These numbers aren't real, they aren't true. The accomplishments will be written off and ridiculed like stats from the turn of the 20th century.

In 1904, considered part of the "modern era," Jack Chesbro won 41 games and recorded a 1.82 ERA, pitching all season on two days rest. Does anyone consider that the greatest season of all time by a starting pitcher? Or do you scoff at the competition considering that today's far better conditioned pitchers – some on juice themselves – only start about 34 games a year?

Perhaps Chesbro really was great. But how could you know? His numbers are so out of line they actually weaken, not bolster, his reputation. That's what Bonds will deal with decades from now.

His home run total isn't the asterisk, he is. He didn't need the juice. But neither did Bud Selig's baseball. The whole game gets an asterisk because together they chased the easy money, the momentary glory.

But time has a leveling effect, and with the home run chase over we can finally get on with tomorrow.

History promises to be scornful, not just of Bonds, but of Selig and his cronies, and of the players' union, who led this great game, America's pastime, down a dark road, leaving behind numbers that future generations will never accept.

I posted this because I agree with it.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Here's my question, why did Bochy take Bonds out, he was a triple away from the cycle?

Barry Bonds hitting a triple is about the same odds as Brian McCann hitting one. ;P

[ESPNFan]

Actually, you can argue that it did, given that steroids take prolonged hours at the gym to even reap from it's benefits.

A hard-working cheater, gee, who thought they even existed?:crazy

How bout all the guys who hit the gym time and time again and didn't succumb to cheating? Please lets not glorify people taking shortcuts for success. :evil

That being said I though last night had a very surreal feeling to it. Kind of like watching Milli Vanilli win a grammy. ;)

[SamtheBravesFan]

I posted this because I agree with it.

Seems like a bunch of flowery prose to me. Who says that future generations of baseball fans will paint with such a broad brush? Two men ruined this era of baseball forever? I find that really hard to believe.

[NYMets523]

Here's my question, why did Bochy take Bonds out, he was a triple away from the cycle?

This is 2007 Barry Bonds, not 1987 Bonds.

[milladrive]

How bout all the guys who hit the gym time and time again and didn't succumb to cheating? Please lets not glorify people taking shortcuts for success. :evil

That being said I though last night had a very surreal feeling to it. Kind of like watching Milli Vanilli win a grammy. ;)

Although I agree to a certain degree, at least that Grammy was officially taken away. These numbers will stand.

Seems like a bunch of flowery prose to me. Who says that future generations of baseball fans will paint with such a broad brush? Two men ruined this era of baseball forever? I find that really hard to believe.

I'm pretty sure the author wasn't singling out just those two men. I suggest reading it again, but it doesn't really matter. Only time will tell, and you're certainly entitled to your opinion about the quality of the writing. :)

[philipthegreat]

Congrats to bonds and to Matt Murphy for each doing some thing incredible. Bonds home run feat and to Murphy for fighting of scores of people to get to the ball.

[Skin & Bones]

Hollow, Not Hallowed.

By Dan Wetzel, Yahoo! Sports national columnist.
August 7, 2007



I posted this because I agree with it.

So basically your agreeing that regardless of steroids, Bonds is the best player ever?

Because that's what the writer claims...

[redlegsfan21]

Barry Bonds hitting a triple is about the same odds as Brian McCann hitting one. ;P

This is 2007 Barry Bonds, not 1987 Bonds.

Well, if the ball rattled around in that area where fly balls go to die, anyone could hit a triple, even someone in a wheelchair.

[milladrive]

So basically your agreeing that regardless of steroids, Bonds is the best player ever?

Because that's what the writer claims...

I don't think the writer claims that. Best "player" ever is a reach. I think the writer states that Bonds may've been the best home run hitter ever and probably didn't need the juice. THAT I'd agree with.

[Skin & Bones]

I don't think the writer claims that. Best "player" ever is a reach. I think the writer states that Bonds may've been the best home run hitter ever and probably didn't need the juice. THAT I'd agree with.

Uh, that's not what he said at all. Did you even read the entire article?


Bonds should be hitting his, say, 650th clean homer about now, continuing to build the case that he is the greatest ballplayer of all time. That is how great he was, and is. He never needed the juice. His legacy would have been so much greater, meant so much more without it.

[NYMets523]

Well, if the ball rattled around in that area where fly balls go to die, anyone could hit a triple, even someone in a wheelchair.

He would have stopped at 2nd anyway.

[milladrive]

Uh, that's not what he said at all. Did you even read the entire article?

Woops, my misread. I have a strange habit of seizing the bigger picture. And the bigger picture of the article is one with which I agree.

Perhaps I should've simply begun a new thread. :shrug:

[ESPNFan]

Uh, that's not what he said at all. Did you even read the entire article?

Uh we should be asking you the same question?:crazy

If this was supposedly the making of history, then realize history isn't going to make much of this. Ten, 30, 50 years from now, it will be looked upon with bewilderment – did people really celebrate a phony number that punctuated a fraudulent era of the game? No one will give much credence to what happened in Major League Baseball from, say, 1996 to the advent of mandatory steroids testing.

Technically, Bonds swung, connected and sent a ball out of the park 756 different times in his 22-season career. But it takes Easter Bunny-level gullibility to believe he did it naturally.


Bonds' ties to disgraced BALCO labs, the fact that his personal trainer is behind bars for refusal to turn over evidence on him, and the possible federal indictment on perjury charges this fall means that 756 deceives only the most dim or devout.

In 1904, considered part of the "modern era," Jack Chesbro won 41 games and recorded a 1.82 ERA, pitching all season on two days rest. Does anyone consider that the greatest season of all time by a starting pitcher? Or do you scoff at the competition considering that today's far better conditioned pitchers – some on juice themselves – only start about 34 games a year?

Perhaps Chesbro really was great. But how could you know? His numbers are so out of line they actually weaken, not bolster, his reputation. That's what Bonds will deal with decades from now.

But time has a leveling effect, and with the home run chase over we can finally get on with tomorrow.

History promises to be scornful, not just of Bonds, but of Selig and his cronies, and of the players' union, who led this great game, America's pastime, down a dark road, leaving behind numbers that future generations will never accept.

To say that the gist of the article is that the writer claims that Bonds is the best ever is specious at best.

[Skin & Bones]

Uh we should be asking you the same question?:crazy











To say that the gist of the article is that the writer claims that Bonds is the best ever is specious at best.

When did I claim that was the gist of the article? LOL

Milladrive claimed he agreed with everything in the article. So, wouldn't the writers claim that Bonds was building his case as the "greatest player of all-time" be included?

[Griffey24-30]

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Back back back back, GONE!

[ESPNFan]

When did I claim that was the gist of the article? LOL

Milladrive claimed he agreed with everything in the article. So, wouldn't the writers claim that Bonds was building his case as the "greatest player of all-time" be included?

And need I point out that that claim was made in the hypothetical? The point of the article is that now with all the suspicions surrounding not only Bonds, but many if not all players of this era, any such arguments about them being the best ever will be causally dismissed by future generations because of steroid use.

Bonds should be hitting his, say, 650th clean homer about now, continuing to build the case that he is the greatest ballplayer of all time. That is how great he was, and is. He never needed the juice. His legacy would have been so much greater, meant so much more without it.

[digglahhh]

digglahhh: Mike Bacsik, you are now an answer to a trivia question.

q: who are the only father and son to each face hitters with 755 home runs?


Yes, indeed. About five minute after posting my comment, a friend emailed me and called my attention to such.

[milladrive]

When did I claim that was the gist of the article? LOL

Milladrive claimed he agreed with everything in the article. So, wouldn't the writers claim that Bonds was building his case as the "greatest player of all-time" be included?

I fail to see where I claimed to agree with "everything" in the article. It was your choice to infer that I agreed with either "everything" or "the gist." You chose "everything."

Thank you ESPNFan. You're stating the case better than I've been.

[Skin & Bones]

And need I point out that that claim was made in the hypothetical? The point of the article is that now with all the suspicions surrounding not only Bonds, but many if not all players of this era, any such arguments about them being the best ever will be causally dismissed by future generations because of steroid use.

If what he was saying was a hypothetical, why not just say "he could have been the best player ever" ? Instead he said continuing to build the case that he is the greatest ballplayer of all time.

Doesn't sound much like a hypothetical to me.

[Skin & Bones]

I fail to see where I claimed to agree with "everything" in the article. It was your choice to infer that I agreed with either "everything" or "the gist." You chose "everything."

I agree with the author of the article about what he wrote. What's the debate for? ESPNFan has done a good job at pointing out some of the specifics with which I agree.

Well, you didn't specify, so i assumed it. But then you later claimed you thought the writer claimed Bonds could have been the best homerun hitter ever, and admitted that is something you agree with.

[milladrive]

Well, you didn't specify, so i assumed it.

A good example of what can happen when we ass-u-me. :p

[mwb]

I sent this letter to MLB last night:

Barry Bonds just hit homerun number 756. I remember the last big career record was when Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb's hit record. That was a great moment. Unfortunately, Bonds' record has been accompanied by many questions about steroid use. I'm disappointed that I have mostly apathy that Bonds is the new HR king. It shouldn't be that way.

I hope MLB continues to seek out the truth in its investigation of Bonds and other players who are suspected of using steroids. There is no room for that in the great game of baseball.

In addition, I hope MLB takes steps to maintain the integrity of the game by instituting the toughest drug policy and testing program in all of sports. I'd like the testing to be as tough as it is for the Olympics. The punishment should be just as harsh. If a player tests positive, his records since his previous test to the failed test should be erased from the record books and his team should be forced to forfeit all games since the prior test. This will punish the player and make players accountable to their teammates who choose to remain clean.

I keep hearing how record numbers of fans are attending MLB games. Use that money to institute tougher drug tests. We fans have given our money through new stadiums and higher ticket prices. We want a game free of performance enhancing drugs.

I hope I can enjoy the next big career milestone a little bit more. If MLB does its part, fans will know the next time a record is broken, there will be no doubt it was broken honestly.

[Baseball Guru]

Nice celebration as well as Aaron again showing his class by paying a video tribute to Bonds..

Kinda low keyed as far as celebrations go compared to Ripken's and Macs but it was very cool indeed to watch!

My opinion on Bonds and the steroid issue, which I usually tend to stay away from:

Personally I am with the opinion that you are innocent until proven guilty.. Now although in my heart I do believe he has taken the steroids I have a hard time not recognizing this amazing feat...

My biggest problem with Bonds is that he is an ass! It is almost impossible for the nation (outside of San Fran) to embrace him because of his personality!

I hate to see the bad side of people which is why I really dont want to believe guys like Bonds, Sosa and especially Mac took steroids, although I really think they did, I tend to kinda overlook it until I see hard evidence or an admittance that they took it! I like to think that I am witnessing just some of the greatest hitters to ever play the game.. But I am also a realist:)

That said, even though Barry Bonds holds the record, Hank Aaron is still the people's home run king and 755 is still the number in which most believe is the greatest achievement in sports!

[ESPNFan]

If what he was saying was a hypothetical, why not just say "he could have been the best player ever" ? Instead he said

Doesn't sound much like a hypothetical to me.

Well it doesn't sound much like a hypothetical because you removed the beginning sentence from the quote. I posted the whole paragraph but I'll have to post it again.

Bonds should be hitting his, say, 650th clean homer about now, continuing to build the case that he is the greatest ballplayer of all time. That is how great he was, and is. He never needed the juice. His legacy would have been so much greater, meant so much more without it.

That word in boldface is indicating an alternate scenario in which Bonds was clean, a statement in which I agree with as well.

Similarly I could say Ken Griffey Jr. Regarding what his career would be without the rash of injuries he suffered.
Griffey should be hitting his 700th Homerun , making his run at 755, continuing to build the case that he is the greatest ballplayer of all time.

See how easy it is? English can be fun!!!!

[Skin & Bones]

Well it doesn't sound much like a hypothetical because you removed the beginning sentence from the quote. I posted the whole paragraph but I'll have to post it again.



That word in boldface is indicating an alternate scenario in which Bonds was clean, a statement in which I agree with as well.

Similarly I could say Ken Griffey Jr. Regarding what his career would be without the rash of injuries he suffered.
Griffey should be hitting his 700th Homerun , making his run at 755, continuing to build the case that he is the greatest ballplayer of all time.

See how easy it is? English can be fun!!!!


That's not a hypothetical. Saying "building the case that he is the greatest of all-time" is completely different from wondering where a certain player would rank if he reached the number. The keywords are "that he is". Why would he say that if it was a hypothetical? Had he said "he could have been the best player ever had he stayed clean" then that would be a hypothetical.

[ESPNFan]

That's not a hypothetical. Saying "building the case that he is the greatest of all-time" is completely different from wondering where a certain player would rank if he reached the number. The keywords are "that he is". Why would he say that if it was a hypothetical? Had he said "he could have been the best player ever had he stayed clean" then that would be a hypothetical.

He was saying he could have been the best player ever had he stayed clean. Thats why in the very same sentence he rattles off what he thinks his HR total would have been had he not allegedly juiced. Why would he make the effort to estimate a clean HR total if he was making a statement of fact about Bond's legacy?

[Skin & Bones]

He was saying he could have been the best player ever had he stayed clean. Thats why in the very same sentence he rattles off what he thinks his HR total would have been had he not allegedly juiced. Why would he make the effort to estimate a clean HR total if he was making a statement of fact about Bond's legacy?

Because that's where he believe Bonds would be without Balco. That however doesn't mean he doesn't believe he's the best player ever. I think Williams could have surpassed Ruth's homerun mark had he not missed time to serve his country. However, that doesn't mean I would believe he's the best player ever. If he meant it as a hypothetical, he didn't word it correctly.

[ESPNFan]

Rests his case:D

[Skin & Bones]

fine by me:waving

[milladrive]

Rests his case:D

lol... English. :laugh :crazy

[ChrisLDuncan]

Steroids or not, if he did do Steroids I would also guess about 75% of baseball did it too. He was great before steroids were even mentioned. I liked it...great speech, and he was a dominating force in baseball throughout his career.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Congrats Barry!! I've been rooting for you but don't get used to it. A Mr. Rodriguez will pass you soon!! (And I hope he does it as a Yankee!)

Well said YL, Rodriguez is going to make Mr. Bonds's time of glory short-lived.

[RichardLillard1]

aren't they in jail because they wouldn't reveal their source who provided them with information that was obtained illegally?

They were threatened with jail time untill the FBI investigated further and found Troy Ellerman to be the source of the leak.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Shadows


Richard