Bond-ing Out

As of this writing, Barry Bonds sits 2 dingers shy of Hank Aaron's home run record. Bonds hit 2 homers last weekend in the "Friendly Confines" of Wrigley Field in Chicago and hasn't threatened the walls since.

Everywhere you turn, people are angry and upset that Bonds will be the one breaking "Sports Most Hallowed Record" with all the steroid suspicions, not to mention Bonds' affinity for being a real jerk where the press is concerned.

The difficult thing in this sports saga is the fact that, as sports fans, we feel like we have to choose a side based on what we see and read.

In a broad sense, I am intrigued that Bonds has been able to stay competitive (even if it is from steroids) into his 40's and is still feared at the plate by his competition. It has always been said that the most difficult task in sports is the ability to hit a round ball with a round bat, so steroids or not, Bonds has to be respected on some level.

Looking back in history, Aaron was vilified during his quest in 1974 to catch and pass Babe Ruth. He received death threats and hate mail during the chase because he was black. Now Aaron is a beloved figure not only in baseball but is an iconic figure in all of society and rightly so. Of course we cannot compare Aaron's plight to that of Bonds as it is obviously apples to oranges, but will we see everything the same in 33 years or whenever the next threat to the record comes along?

I choose to accept that Bonds will be the new home run king, and not because I am a fan of his or have any allegiance to steroids. Rather, I see it as an historical moment in time that doesn't really need to be celebrated, just accepted and appreciated in the fact that I was here to see it.

See you tomorrow with more!!