I was there for 715

[Rickypt]

Asterisk/tainted or not, it was most exciting. Confetti, hugging strangers (easily done after three beers). I think I'll try to sell my ticket stub for 100K on ebay. :laugh:

[David]

I don't know what this is. Is this groovy? Did you have fun?

[Rickypt]

Oh...Barry Bonds hit his *715th home run, which passes Babe Ruth. Tainted by steroid scandal. It was still a good time.

[irishgrl]

I wish they'd take his last 50 home runs away (more if necessary) What a jerk, needs steroids to break the Babe's record. :mad:

[Rickypt]

We don't know if he needed steroids to beat Ruth, and if he did, we don't know how many home runs were the result of steroids. We also don't know that Ruth wouldn't have taken steroids if they were available at the time. Baseball is imperfect and subjective. Bonds' "punishment" is the fact that only San Franciscans are celebrating his accomplishment. Everyone else hates him. His record will always be tainted and debated.

Personally, I'd like to see him retire before passing Hank Aaron. I'm ready for the Giants to rebuild.

[irishgrl]

We don't know if he needed steroids to beat Ruth, and if he did, we don't know how many home runs were the result of steroids. We also don't know that Ruth wouldn't have taken steroids if they were available at the time. Baseball is imperfect and subjective. Bonds' "punishment" is the fact that only San Franciscans are celebrating his accomplishment. Everyone else hates him. His record will always be tainted and debated.

Personally, I'd like to see him retire before passing Hank Aaron. I'm ready for the Giants to rebuild.

Well, we dont know what the Babe MIGHT have done, but we DO know he got all of his home runs WITHOUT steroids. We cant say the same about Bonds.

IMO, his record is definitely tainted and he should forfeit this record. its illegally achieved, therefore, a sham.:mad:

btw: as much as I like Mark McGwire, I think Diss is right, he should forfeit his record too. so should ANY athlete who isnt getting the gold ring by their own god given abilities.

[ryan8472]

I agree with you guys, but since it was never proven for sure that Barry used the 'roids, I can't hate him. When the definitive proof comes out, I'll change my stance. But until then, I'll root for the guy on the field. :nod:

[johndoe]

I can't take him seriously. And I don't think anyone else really can. Its so unbelivably obvious hes done steriods, that any records that he broke post 1997 shouldn't even count. And I think if MLB celebrates him overtaking Hank Aaron, they'll lose more credibility with the fans than 1000 strikes could.

[macfan 57]

I can't take him seriously. And I don't think anyone else really can. Its so unbelivably obvious hes done steriods, that any records that he broke post 1997 shouldn't even count. And I think if MLB celebrates him overtaking Hank Aaron, they'll lose more credibility with the fans than 1000 strikes could.

I totally agree. Unfortunately, he'll probably keep playing to try to get Aaron's record. The only thing that can save the record is if Bonds is indicted for perjury first. By the way, it's not just Bonds, but McGwire, Sosa, Palmeira, Sheffield, Giambi, etc. Everything's tainted.

[Rickypt]

Not to mention that many players are hopped up on some kind of amphetamine.

While there are individual exception, there's nothing pure overall about baseball in the modern era. It's entertainment. People will decide for themselves if Bonds deserves a record, and most will say no.

But since he was never caught, and it is impossible to know which home runs are/aren't valid, then I don't see how his count can be taken away or lowered.

Who knows how many homers Barry didn't hit because pitchers walked him even when completely unnecessary (i.e., ahead by several runs late in the game).

It's clear Barry is a narcissist. That will always bring someone down.

[DavidMn]

At least there wont be a huge lawsuit over the ball!:laugh: Didnt it land in the open area of centerfield?

[Rickypt]

At least there wont be a huge lawsuit over the ball!:laugh: Didnt it land in the open area of centerfield?

It landed at the foot of a dweeb who was buying peanuts and didn't even know Barry was hitting. :lol:

[DavidMn]

It landed at the foot of a dweeb who was buying peanuts and didn't even know Barry was hitting. :lol:That dumbass probably cost himself about $300,000.:laugh:

[Neb-Maat-Re]

Talk of steroids aside, are there any other factors which might have come in to play here in achieving the record?

Don't they play a lot more games now than in Ruth's day? Have the fences/boundaries been brought closer in?

These are certainly two factors which made it a lot easier for modern players to have broken Sir Don Bradman's (cricket's equivalent to Mr Ruth) long standing record test score.

[DavidMn]

Talk of steroids aside, are there any other factors which might have come in to play here in achieving the record?

Don't they play a lot more games now than in Ruth's day? Have the fences/boundaries been brought closer in?

These are certainly two factors which made it a lot easier for modern players to have broken Sir Don Bradman's (cricket's equivalent to Mr Ruth) long standing record test score.Well, one factor is that black people werent allowed to play in Ruth's days. SOme people argue that things might have been different if some of the great negro league pitchers had faced Ruth.

[Rickypt]

^Yes, all of these factors are why I said baseball is imperfect and subjective. I personally think it doesn't make much sense to keep records for baseball (other than for entertainment purpose) because of all the changing factors.

Barry might pass Aaron, but I'm sure someone else will pass Barry in the next 20 years.

[amber]

Hey, Ryan - that is very, very cool that you were there. :woohoo:

That's it. Just wanted to say I think it's cool. :wavey:

[Rickypt]

Hey, Ryan - that is very, very cool that you were there. :woohoo:

That's it. Just wanted to say I think it's cool. :wavey:

Thanks, it was cool! I went to two games when he was trying to hit 714, then I went to a game last week when he didn't play. So it was definitely fun to be there when something happened.

[estranged4life]

I wish they'd take his last 50 home runs away (more if necessary) What a jerk, needs steroids to break the Babe's record. :mad:

stand Barry Bonds for his lying on the stand about 'roids, 'Roids will not increase your hand/eye coordination & speed to make you react faster to a pitch in the area of 90-95 MPH.

I dont see MLB taking away his homeruns, Nor do I really see Barry passing Aaron's 755 either.

Take it from someone who played Baseball from age 9 to 19 (Played partial season in the local Minor League before wrist injury ended my career), Alot of players are hitting the juice thinking strength = increase your hand/eye coordination & speed...It doesnt!!!

[ryan8472]

stand Barry Bonds for his lying on the stand about 'roids, 'Roids will not increase your hand/eye coordination & speed to make you react faster to a pitch in the area of 90-95 MPH.

I dont see MLB taking away his homeruns, Nor do I really see Barry passing Aaron's 755 either.

Take it from someone who played Baseball from age 9 to 19 (Played partial season in the local Minor League before wrist injury ended my career), Alot of players are hitting the juice thinking strength = increase your hand/eye coordination & speed...It doesnt!!!
The man DOES have sick hand-eye coordination. As does Gary Sheffield, another guy accused of jucing it up. I love me some Sheff though (from a Yankee fan point of view), so I dont bust on him. ;) :laugh: