You're no Babe Ruth.
Posted on 05/20/2006 6:07:09 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Just as Henry Aaron has learned, Barry Bonds will find out that even though he has matched Babe Ruth's career home run total, he will not be able to catch Ruth in enduring eminence.
Bonds hit his 714th career home run today. His next home run will send him past Ruth into second place behind Aaron and his 755 home runs.
Aaron broke Ruth's record 32 years ago, in 1974, which was 39 years after Ruth had hit his last home run and retired. That means that Ruth hasn't hit a home run for nearly 71 years, but the number he did hit remains perhaps the best-known number in all of sports.
I'm not a poll guy, but I'd bet that if a poll were taken, a vastly higher percentage of respondents would recognize 714 than 755. It wouldn't even matter when those responding were born. Age doesn't seem to matter in Ruth's popularity.
It's not just a bunch of old guys who grew up hearing and reading about Ruth's magical feat who know 714. Young fans know 714, too. Ruth's feat has long outlived him. If Aaron were talking (he declines interviews about home runs) he might have some interesting things to say about the hold Ruth continues to have over fans and news media alike.
If Aaron hasn't received his rightful recognition, why would Bonds? On the other hand, Bonds is a more controversial character than Aaron ever was. The best Aaron could do was shove a carton of strawberries in a reporter's face. Aaron was too much the gentleman, had too much class to create controversy.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Aaron didn't cheat to acheive his accomplishments.
Aaron was still kind of a miserable bastard, though. Very unfriendly.
You're no Babe Ruth.
Ruth didn't just set the record for most home runs in a carreer. Did Aaron ever come close to the record for home runs in one season?
Hank signed a card for me back in the 70's at Fulton County Stadium. He did it with a smile and a hand shake.
I'll never forget that.
So what's the record for home runs, by a weirdly bulked-up athlete suspected by some, of taking steroids?
(just wondering)
Ruth did it on hot dogs and beer, Aaron did it on class. What has Bonds got that comes close to either of these titans?
Who is this freak? Is this really Bonds?
Wow.
* = Bonds
I remember watching Hank Aaron hit 2 homers in one game, in 1974. My brother probably still has his scoresheet from the game. Everyone was excited about how close he was to the record.
I don't know whether he's a nice person or not, but he was an honest baseball player.
baseball's new Babe.
wait...I did find out something Bonds will be remembered for...teaching millions of kids how to spell asterisk.
*gaffaw*
Doogle
They were doing an American Idol spoof during spring training - Bonds is dressed as Paula Abdul.
LOL....the above is for sale as a tagline, bidding starts at $.10
So was Ted Williams..what is it about great hitters with miserable personalities?
Thanks for the explanation. I didn't think he had gone THAT far over the edge.
I have a ton of respect for Aaron. His longevity as a home run hitter should be applauded. But the Babe is the greatest home run hitter of all-time. Sure, Hank had 41 more homers than Ruth. But he also had over 4000 more at bats! Bonds used to be a great player who also was a jerk. Now he's a jerk who used performance-ehnancing drugs to break some records.
The only issue here is whether records set by people who use steroids should be recognized. The answer is no.
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