Perspective on Sports  

When Barry Bonds hits his 756th home run, I can guarantee you it will be all over the news. It will be on the front page of the New York Times, the Washington Post, the San Francisco Tribune, the Toronto Sun, the Houston Chronicles, you name it! TV channels will have it covered too, probably splashing it in front of all the local reports, politics, gas station complaints and fellow sports highlights. And just like any other front page piece or lead story, this one’s geared up for great controversy and ample debate.

When that 756th is hit, we’ll never see the end of replays. How many of really wants to see it over and over and over again? Frankly, I would much rather own a highlight reel of all the Hank Aaron home runs than watch Bonds belt moon shots into McCovey’s Cove. You have to realize who’s record Aaron was breaking. It was a true legend in the name of the Great Bambino. The feat was unheralded and people, not just fans, were so overwhelmed by the fact that the Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth’s name was being erased out of history books. And remember, Aaron’s journey towards 715 was much more raucous than Bonds can ever imagine, much less that anything he has/is/will experience (d, ing). Death threats, acrid racial slurs, cruel belligerence...all kinds of nasty stuff was thrown at Aaron, not to mention the insurmountable pressure, yet he still did it with class and dignity. Hammerin’ Hank, to this day is still his magnanimous self and is truly one of the best men to wear a baseball uniform! Bonds loses by a mile when it comes to handling hostility and being a class act. Aaron 1, Bonds 0.

Roids or not, Bonds is incomparable with his numbers. In our sadly distrusting society, however, any doubtful sports figure is “guilty until proven innocent”. If I ever get the chance to meet Barry, I’d ask him how that  bulging skull of his expanded like a balloon? I’d probably get a cold-shoulder and be brushed off with: “Next question.”, but hey, that’s typical Barry Bonds for ya!

Interesting enough, Bonds is on the verge of breaking the ultimate record with, get this, about 3000 less at-bats than Aaron. Then comes the unprecedented 7 MVP trophies. So statistically speaking, Barry has the upper hand and if I had to pick, I’d put my money on Bonds to win a home run derby against Hank Aaron in their prime. Bonds, as big as a knucklehead he is, does deserve substantial credit for his fine numbers because a majority, if not all of the stats came from athletic ability, and deft skill. Aaron 1, Bonds 1

It looks like Bonds’ still in the zone after two decades of domination. Going into play on May 17th, he is 2nd in the NL with 11 bombers. Whether we like it or not, he’s going to surpass 755 with ease. And whatever they say, Bud Selig will, in person, witness the historic smash. After all, who would want to be labeled as a commissioner that didn’t show up for the first ever 756th career home run?

The imminence of Bonds taking over in home run supremacy brings me to ask: Is North America ready to hand over one of its most prestigious records in pro sports? Just to put it into perspective, former Diamondback first baseman expressed his great respect for the dignified 755 by calling it “the most sacred record in all of professional sports” Will the scope of things change as much after 756 than it did after 715 back in 1974? Unquestionably no! Nevertheless, impact will be stupendous. The brutal bashers and thunderous backers will all be going at it pretty good as the countdown begins. Haven’t they always? In this battle though, I’ll be Switzerland.

-D