19 July 2007
Bonds Nears Aaron
Smiting his 18th and 19th home runs of the season, Barry Bonds closed to within two of Hank Aaron’s all time home run record.
The Giant’s slugger had been mired in a 0-for-21 slump leading into the game but was a one-man wrecking ball starting with the first pitch of the second inning that he deposited over the right field bleachers.
His second was a two run, two out shot to left centre against the wind to cut the cubs lead to 9-8 but his 6 RBI game was not enough to stop the Cubs fans from caring as the scoring ended there. Indeed the smattering of Giants fans at Wrigley Field probably didn’t care much either and it would be little surprise if Bonds himself was delighted with his day despite the loss.
Baseball knew it was coming and before long, a man reviled both for his personality and his repeated denials over what is demonstrably a career enhanced by all manner of steroids will officially be the the greatest home run hitter of all time.
Personally, in my own little fantasy Bonds gets to 755 and calls a conference after the game. With a big grin on his face he says that he believes he is the best, he knows he could pass the record and probably pass 800 but, he feels that baseball is bigger than him and that he owes the fans and the game more than it owes him. He loves the fans who have cheered him through thick and thin and is honoured to have played the game he loves. He decides that as a gesture of respect to the fans and the game he will retire with immediate effect and proud to have equalled - not passed - Aaron’s record.
The man would probably be a legend.
Instead he will milk whatever credit comes his way from his partisan supporters. He will find his way into the Hall of Fame and have his name at number 1 (until Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols pass him) but he will never be the legend he probably gave up dreaming of becoming long ago.
