Barry Bonds and "Tell It Goodbye" for 756
As a long time San Francisco Giants fan, I am extremely proud of Barry Bonds. He has given us something special in this otherwise dismal season, and for that I am thankful.
It was a summer at Kimball Elementary School when I first went to a Giants game at Candlestick. The park was special, and Willie Mays and McCovey were in the outfield, while Juan Maricial pitched. I saw Mays hit a fly ball which looked like it could go out, but a boy's best wishes couldn't help there.
Fast forward to yesterday and the electronic media which extracted every bit of minutia out of the moment. I heard Bonds hit 756 on the radio, and it was a shot that paused the moment. Only after the ball landed did the pace of life resume at an overwhelming rate.
I have my Bonds jersey, and Bonds bobblehead, available after he hit his single season record. 756 became the apparent target then, but patience was taxed by controversy, but two words put everything in perspective – Gaylord Perry.
Perry pitched for the Giants, Perry's name and number are retired for them, and is a member of the Hall of Fame. His record merits all the honors, even though he took glee in throwing the spitball, the controversial pitch that gave him a reputation which worried opposing batters. We don't know how many games he won because of the spitter, but there was no serious talk in the same intensity as dogs Barry Bonds.
The San Diego Padres fans put all this in perspective when Bonds hit 755. Most of them appreciated the moment, giving him a standing ovation. Last night's celebration had pre-planned elements, but it was largely organic for the fans that have appreciated Bonds' efforts over the years. For me this will be as memorable as the Mays fly ball, the Bay Area World Series, or the Giants last World Series effort.
Now, what will happen with 757?
As an Addendum;
Later this evening, Barry Bonds did hit 757, a splash hit in McCovey Cove. As I expected, It didn't get the hype of its predecessor, though the Bay Area media are tracking his plate appearances for a time. The vitreal he got in the East coast press almost sends the message that they wish he would proceed immediately to hell, that whatever he has been accused of is equivalent to the crimes of a serial killer.
Come off it. Baseball is a game, Barry Bonds, especially after his health problems of the last few years, has proven his strength, and skill. He is the best player I have seen in this decade, and what I see says more about his critics than about him.