Spring Break
HR record imminent for Bonds
Jake Williams
Issue date: 6/13/07 Section: Sports
Hank Aaron hit 755 homeruns. That is a fact. Barry Bonds used steroids. Is that a fact? Barry Bonds will hit 756 homeruns. Is this imminent?
On Monday, June 11, Barry Bonds blasted a two-run homer against the Toronto Blue Jays, No. 747 of his career. That leaves Bonds just eight shy of tying Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755 and nine shy of owning the record outright.
It is now time for casual and diehard fans alike to decide where they stand on Bonds' achievements. This decision can't wait until after Aaron's mark falls-not if fans want to make an objective and unemotional judgment regarding one of baseball's greatest hitters ever. Steroids or no steroids.
Monday's blast was number 13 of the season for Bonds and it occurred in the San Francisco Giants' sixty-third game of the season. At that pace, it will take Bonds until the end of July to equal and exceed Aaron's mark. Then again, this is Barry Bonds. He's capable of hitting three homeruns in any game against any pitcher. Fans who are waiting for July to follow the chase for history may find themselves missing a historic moment before June has ended.
As Pete Rose has taught us, significant records are subject to the greatest scrutiny. Rose holds the MLB record for career hits. He also wagered on his own teams' games, a move that is against league rules and has consequently earned Rose a spot outside the baseball hall of fame. Bonds faces a similar fate should it be proven his career stats have been inflated by steroids.
So where do you stand on Bonds? To answer this you must first answer a few specific questions. First, do you believe suspicions that he actually took steroids? Rumors continue to circle Bonds concerning his connection with steroid supplier BALCO, but no steroid use has been proven. Secondly, what do you think of a possibility of a steroid-using Bonds owning the homerun record? Should Bonds get credit for the record count whether he used steroids or not? Should his final career count include an asterisk? And lastly, does Barry Bonds belong in the hall of fame whether he took steroids or not? The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame is meant to celebrate the history of America's pastime. Does that not include the bad historical moments right alongside the good times?
Only after answering these questions and many others like them can fans decide how they feel about what seems to be imminent: Barry Bonds breaking Hammering Hank Aaron's coveted all-time homerun record.
On Monday, June 11, Barry Bonds blasted a two-run homer against the Toronto Blue Jays, No. 747 of his career. That leaves Bonds just eight shy of tying Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755 and nine shy of owning the record outright.
It is now time for casual and diehard fans alike to decide where they stand on Bonds' achievements. This decision can't wait until after Aaron's mark falls-not if fans want to make an objective and unemotional judgment regarding one of baseball's greatest hitters ever. Steroids or no steroids.
Monday's blast was number 13 of the season for Bonds and it occurred in the San Francisco Giants' sixty-third game of the season. At that pace, it will take Bonds until the end of July to equal and exceed Aaron's mark. Then again, this is Barry Bonds. He's capable of hitting three homeruns in any game against any pitcher. Fans who are waiting for July to follow the chase for history may find themselves missing a historic moment before June has ended.
As Pete Rose has taught us, significant records are subject to the greatest scrutiny. Rose holds the MLB record for career hits. He also wagered on his own teams' games, a move that is against league rules and has consequently earned Rose a spot outside the baseball hall of fame. Bonds faces a similar fate should it be proven his career stats have been inflated by steroids.
So where do you stand on Bonds? To answer this you must first answer a few specific questions. First, do you believe suspicions that he actually took steroids? Rumors continue to circle Bonds concerning his connection with steroid supplier BALCO, but no steroid use has been proven. Secondly, what do you think of a possibility of a steroid-using Bonds owning the homerun record? Should Bonds get credit for the record count whether he used steroids or not? Should his final career count include an asterisk? And lastly, does Barry Bonds belong in the hall of fame whether he took steroids or not? The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame is meant to celebrate the history of America's pastime. Does that not include the bad historical moments right alongside the good times?
Only after answering these questions and many others like them can fans decide how they feel about what seems to be imminent: Barry Bonds breaking Hammering Hank Aaron's coveted all-time homerun record.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Melinda Sue Hunter
posted 6/18/07 @ 8:48 PM MST
I like that you make the reader think. I don?t read many sports stuff but in my other readings of news they don?t pose so many questions. I really like how you concluded the article. (Continued…)
Jon Cruz
posted 8/01/07 @ 12:21 PM MST
"Monday's blast was number 13 of the season for Bonds and it occurred in the San Francisco Giants' sixty-third game of the season. At that pace, it will take Bonds until the end of July to equal and exceed Aaron's mark. (Continued…)
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