[Bonds takes a bow]From the New York Times:
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 7 — Barry Bonds swung and then immediately threw his arms in the air, realizing that he had become the most prolific home run hitter in major league history. Everyone in the ball park instantly realized the enormity of what they had witnessed as well, watching Bonds’s latest and most important white streak soar into the night.
Bonds Hits No. 756 to Break Aaron’s Record
Bonds’s 756th homer pushed him past Hank Aaron and pushed baseball’s history into an awkward spot. He is alone now atop the career home run list. Let the debate about the authenticity of Bonds’s record begin. It will be here for a while.
With his devastating, compact swing, Bonds blasted a fastball from Mike Bacsik of the Washington Nationals over the fence in right center field in the fifth inning. The eager San Francisco Giants fans, who were already standing and hoping to watch their hero create history at AT & T Park, cheered, hugged and high-fived. Some even wept.
When Bonds reached home, Nikolai, his 17-year old son and a Giants’ bat boy, was there to greet him. Nikolai held up one finger to his father, a sign that Bonds was No. 1. Bonds stopped at the plate, and raised his arms high again, then pointed to the sky, a tribute to his late father, Bobby.
In a post-game news conference later, Bonds, who has been suspected of using steroids, offered a sharp response to doubts about his record.
“This record is not tainted at all, at all,” Bonds said. “Period. You guys can say whatever you want.”
Read more. I'm happy for him.
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2 comments:
I'm not a baseball fan myself, so I have no beef with Barry Bonds, either for or against. As a reformed Brit, though, it amuses me to wonder if cricketers, these days, resort to performance-enhancing drugs!? Seems, well, un-British, if you know what I mean. I was also much distressed by this year's Tour de France... Cheers, PaL
Yeah, I'll bet even Brits dope in sports. ;)
I think things at the TdF are actually progressing. Back when Eddie Merckx was winning every race he entered -- or so it seemed -- steroids, amphetamines and a whole mess of things were legal and no one asked questions. At least now, no one can abuse EPO beyond the 50 hemocrit level. And they might be using growth hormone, but they have to keep steroid use to off season (and limit use to a patch that can be pulled off just before a random test, which allows blood levels to return to normal in about two hours).
There are some limits, and with the sacking of Rasmussen, teams are taking it more seriously because they will lose their sponsors otherwise.
Peace,
Bill
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