Barry Bonds hit #714!!

[Joanna71985]

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Barry Bonds tied Babe Ruth for second place on the career home run list Saturday with his 714th homer, a solo shot into the right-field seats leading off the second inning.

The 41-year-old Bonds hadn't homered in nine games - a stretch of 29 at-bats - since hitting No. 713 with a 450-foot drive May 7 in Philadelphia. His teenage son, Nikolai, a Giants bat boy, was waiting for him at home plate and they embraced.

Bonds was quickly greeted by his teammates, who surrounded him at the top of the dugout. Bonds tipped his cap and blew a kiss toward his 7-year-old daughter, Aisha, then came out of the dugout and raised his hands.

Left-hander Brad Halsey became the 420th pitcher to give up a homer to Bonds, who was San Francisco's designated hitter in an interleague series against the Oakland Athletics.

So what does everyone think about this? Do you like Bonds, hate him, think he deserves the record (if it comes), or think he should be tossed out on his bottom? I am curious to hear what other people feel about him.

 

[monkeyboy]

Drugs will do that

 

[N.Bailey]

I'm no baseball fan, but hubby is saying Babe Ruth played in some smaller ball parks than Bonds is playing in today, and says it was somewhat easier to get a home run at that time. I can't verify that (maybe someone else can comment?), but personally, I hope he beats the record. He surely had to work hard to get where he is today and IMO, he deserves it.

 

[monkeyboy]

Drugs will do that

I say again

 

[disneyjunkie]

I'm happy.

GO BARRY, GO BARRY

I don't much about baseball, but I have a quick question.

Why are they making such a big deal about Babe Ruth's record (715), when Hank Arron hit 755 (I think that's the number) home runs? [/QUOTE]

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm no baseball fan, but hubby is saying Babe Ruth played in some smaller ball parks than Bonds is playing in today, and says it was somewhat easier to get a home run at that time. I can't verify that (maybe someone else can comment?), but personally, I hope he beats the record. He surely had to work hard to get where he is today and IMO, he deserves it.

But if he took steroids like people thought he may have, it wouldn't have been a lot of work to hit all those homers. So you can't really compare Barry Bonds to Babe Ruth, or Hank Aaron. They played at times when there was no drugs.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I need audio here, so that y'all can hear me gagging.

Baroid Bonds is a FRAUD!

 

[Papa Deuce]

I'm no baseball fan, but hubby is saying Babe Ruth played in some smaller ball parks than Bonds is playing in today, and says it was somewhat easier to get a home run at that time. I can't verify that (maybe someone else can comment?), but personally, I hope he beats the record. He surely had to work hard to get where he is today and IMO, he deserves it.

Exactly THE OPPOSITE! Babe Ruth was hitting home runs when WHOLE TEAMS did not equal the amount that HE HIT ALONE. Parks were BIGGER, not smaller. The baseballs were softer ( as were the bats ) so that made for less home runs. Pitchers ERA's were OVER one run lower back in Babe's day, and actually closer to 1.5 runs less per game.

The year he hit 60, the next highest guy hit LESS than 20.

This is FACTUAL INFO, not just me pulling stuff outta my head.

And, while Hank Aaron did surpass the Babe, Hank did have 2000+ MORE At Bats than Babe. Back then, baseball was 154 games a season. When Hank passed Babe Ruth they were playing 162 games a season.

I could go on and on and on....... Babe Ruth was my childhood hero!

 

[Taylor]

Barry Bonds is a cheater.

He does not deserve to be held in the same regard as Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron.

 

[DawnCt1]

Drugs will do that

I had the exact same thought. Sort of makes it a bit meaningless.

 

[HayGan]

Barry Bonds is a cheater.

He does not deserve to be held in the same regard as Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron.

Couldn't have said it better myself!!! Can't even bring myself to utter his name in the same breath as truly great players!

 

[N.Bailey]

Exactly THE OPPOSITE! Babe Ruth was hitting home runs when WHOLE TEAMS did not equal the amount that HE HIT ALONE. Parks were BIGGER, not smaller. The baseballs were softer ( as were the bats ) so that made for less home runs. Pitchers ERA's were OVER one run lower back in Babe's day, and actually closer to 1.5 runs less per game.

The year he hit 60, the next highest guy hit LESS than 20.

This is FACTUAL INFO, not just me pulling stuff outta my head.

And, while Hank Aaron did surpass the Babe, Hank did have 2000+ MORE At Bats than Babe. Back then, baseball was 154 games a season. When Hank passed Babe Ruth they were playing 162 games a season.

I could go on and on and on....... Babe Ruth was my childhood hero!

I'm going to have to take your word for it because I know nothing about baseball other than you get 6 outs per inning (3 each side) and that there are 9 innings per game. To be frankly honest, I have no desire to go out and look for factual information either. I am not being a smart you know what as I fully believe you know what you're talking about. I'm just not into baseball at all, and I figure, if someone has come that far, drugs or otherwise, they've had to put a lot of work into their game.

From here on out, I'm sticking to the Sandlot because I love the movie. Those boys worship Babe Ruth too. LOL

Thanks for the baseball history lesson though. I did enjoy reading your post.

 

[tiggerlover]

I think the mere fact that he took steriods should void his record. Steroids equals cheating, cheating records shouldn't stand. JMHO.

 

[JESW]

ya know, if you read that title real fast it looks like it should be censored!

Jill

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Congratulations to Barry "Big Head" Bonds and all the hard working chemists and cheats who help him.

 

[byoung]

Barry how are the drugs.

 

[olena]

Barry Bonds will never compare to Babe Ruth or Hank Aaaron for that matter. I have never been a Bonds fan and his recent testimony to the BALCO grand jury investigation has made him lower than low in my book. The same goes for any player juicing and if there are hundreds, so be it. Condemn them, too.

He seems thinner this year. I wonder why.

 

[Honu]

Barry gives the crowd what they want. They want to see that ball fly over the stands and into the bay, and Barry delivers. He puts on a show.

Yes, he broke the rules. But I would imagine its pretty hard to feel remorseful or unworthy when the fans still cheer like crazy when he picks up a bat. I also imagine the continuing adulation doesn't do much to deter future generations from following his lead.

 

[Joanna71985]

Yes, he broke the rules. But I would imagine its pretty hard to feel remorseful or unworthy when the fans still cheer like crazy when he picks up a bat. I also imagine the continuing adulation doesn't do much to deter future generations from following his lead.

Not anymore really. People everywhere have been booing him. Only fans really cheering are the Giants fans in SF. I'm not surprised either.

 

[Honu]

Not anymore really. People everywhere have been booing him. Only fans really cheering are the Giants fans in SF. I'm not surprised either.

Ummm, I think I've been insulted. Have a nice day.