08.09.07
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As every one on planet Earth is already aware of Barry Bonds recently broke the all-time home run record of Hank Aaron. The issue has been debated and disputed by every one from congress to sports writers to drunks at the bar (I usually fall under the 3rd category). This morning I read an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer about whether or not it carried any relevance and the answer without question is yes.
As I’ve stated before many times I truly hate Barry Bonds. I hate everything about him and yes I do believe he used steriods. That being said I still feel that this moment was not only relevant and important but also somewhat enjoyable. My roommate said the other day that, despite his massive hatred for Bonds, he literally got chills when the ball left his bat. Honestly, I feel the same way. From a man who shows so little emotion it was nice to see pure joy.
The thing about this moment is the fact that good, bad or illegal you will always remember it. For as long as I live I will remember that I saw Bonds hit that record breaking moon shot while sitting on a bar stool at The Big Ease in Amherst, Ohio. (Home of the Little Beer…fantastic shot) Anyway the point is that this was a night in history that will be forever remembered by everyone who saw it.
I think that this was good for baseball because whether you love Bonds or wish death upon him you were watching on that night. In this time of scandals and cheating it still brought the world’s eyes onto a baseball diamond. And as one reporter said… “Yeah it appears as though he cheated but so did hundreds of other players and they didn’t hit 756 homeruns.”
There are few moments in history that people will never forget and I have a feeling that this is a sports version of that idea. Love him or hate him it was still an amazing site to see. If nothing else, at least we no longer have to hear about “The Chase” for the first 15 minutes of sportscenter…
“A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen”
~Edward De Bono