It will land somewhere. Come down into someones hands. Lie at rest for perhaps a moment. Float haphazardly for seconds in McCovey Cove. Then it will be the most sought after piece of memorabilia, arguably, in baseball history. But it will mean nothing. It is all straw. It will echo the sentiments of melodies like "Roll to Me" and "Jump Around" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's". A literal one-hit wonder.
Much has been written and said about Bonds' chase for 755. My opinions fluctuated like American culture until this morning. ESPN.com's headline featured the number 754. Then it hit me. Some records were not meant to be broken. Not meant to be surpassed. Not worthy of their holder.
Have your own opinions on Bonds. I have my own opinions of Hank Aaron. Growing up my dad told me about his pursuit of Ruth's record. The hatred. The animosity. The disdain for his efforts. Aaron was a model baseball player. Consistent. Hard-working. Blue-collar. Loaded with integrity and respect. A sense of perspective. Honorable. And perhaps the greatest player to ever play. Aaron's record leaps from the mere pages of history. Standing as not only a testament to the greatest record in the greatest game, but a testament to fortitude, courage, the triumph of the will and human spirit and to the equality of all men.
The video of Aaron's 715th homer is indelibly stamped in my generation X head. It sailing over the fence. Hammerin' Hank rounding the bases. Fans running up to shake his hand as he hits third. It's only when you realize that he could have been just as easily stabbed or shot or punched in that same moment that you can begin to garner the respect for Aaron's effort.
As Bonds rewrites history in the next few days. I may or may not be watching. I'm one for wanting to see history as it unfolds. And it's always with the respect for a new history. For saying, "I was here when this happened". Not this time.
755 has always been a number. For me, in the baseball sense, it's always represented that which nothing greater can be conceived. Meaning, it was a lot more than a number. Aaron's accomplishment, his struggle, his perseverance, his humility, his respect is worthy of much more than assigning a number to it. Worth more than being resigned to the highest number I can think of only to have you come along and think of one higher.
With numbers there's always one greater. Not here. Not now. Not ever.
My plea is for whomever that ball falls near, fans just separate themselves from it. Move away from it's landing. Don't claw after it. Don't scuffle for it. Let it rest. Let it fall silently. Let the cameras focus on it as the crowd recoils. Please. It is a one-hit wonder.
If a tree falls and no one hears it, does it make a noise? Let this make no sound.
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4 comments:
I have to weigh in on this comment. Baseball is not perfect because its players have never been nor will they be. Assigning a roll model status to any player is a sure way to disappointment. There are many players who recognize that they are priveleged to be playing a game and the opportunity it gives them to live financially sound lives, for them and their families. Many players are not full of themselves thereby allowing the joys of the game to fill them up with thankfulness: they and fans are blessed alike.
As this event nears its zenith, remember that the way down can be treacherous. And the shot heard round the world will be nothing more that a blank, dud, and silence.
Now that NASA has admitted to astronauts flying while drunk, here are some observations:
1. All those space walks now make sense - they were sobriety tests. 'Can you step out of the space shuttle sir and walk this way?'
2. If a small shot of booze can help calm the nerves of someone flying in an airplane at 500 mph, how much is needed for someone flying 26,000 mph?
3. The new space shuttle launches can be an add campaign for liquor: 'We prefer our martini's shaken not stirred..'
4. How many drunk astronauts can you fit into a space shuttle?
5. A new beer commercial, Don't let gravity keep you from a good time, take a Coor's light for the trip.'
6. NASA is selling beer ad space on all future shuttle trips. The company that comes up with the best jingle will wina specially designed shuttle painted with company colors. Stay tuned but I'm pulling for the hard stuff,
'Hey Jim Beam me up, this is Scotty with the Scotch.'
Barry Bonds is a great baseball player, but his breaking Hammerin' Hank's record just doesn't feel right.
Here's where I get stuck, though: From the beginning of time baseball players have done whatever it takes to appear better than they were. Gaylord Perry was a notorious spit-baller. Ty Cobb sharpened his spikes and used those sharp edges while sliding into bases. There are countless examples of Hall of Fame players cheating.
So, if Barry Bonds did use performance enhancing drugs - which I firmly believe he did - should that be enough to keep him out of the Hall? Should it be enough to negate his impending record?
Well, Major League Baseball has let him play. So have the Giants. The rules they had in place for most of his career didn't include a provision for steroids. Is he at fault for that?
He clearly is a cheater, but I can't say he cheated baseball or the other players. They all had the opportunity to ruin their bodies with that stuff. I commend those who abstained. But I can't fault those who chose to use.
Besides, Alex Rodriguez is going to break Bonds' record eventually. And what bad things can you say about A-Rod, besides that he is now a Yankee?
I am all for letting someone inject something between their toes. If someone enjoys an injection into their buttocks that will make enlarge their head, have at it. Snort a little white powder, good for you. Want to fly on Tim Leary's airplane, enjoy the ride.
Just don't ask for my help, sympathy or tax money for rehab. Or for that matter my money to see you play a sport.
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