StaggerLee
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| #1 Posted on 12.4.04 1711.39 Reposted on: 12.4.11 1712.02 | SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds hit his 660th home run Monday to tie godfather Willie Mays for third on baseball's career list. Bonds connected in the fifth inning on a 3-1 pitch from Milwaukee's Matt Kinney and sent the ball over the right-field wall into McCovey Cove for his second homer of the season, a three-run shot.
The 39-year-old Bonds was greeted at home by several teammates and he stepped on the plate and raised both hands in the air. Mays was in attendance and came on the field with a torch in hand after Bonds reached home. Bonds put his arm around Mays and posed for pictures to commemorate the milestone.
Bonds came back out of the dugout and waved to the fans in each direction as they cheered, "Barry! Barry!" and gave him a standing ovation.
Children bowed repeatedly along the left-field wall when he came out to play the field in the top of the sixth.
Hank Aaron leads with 755 home runs, followed by Babe Ruth with 714.
Since homering in San Francisco's season opener last Monday at Houston, Bonds was 4-for-18 with seven walks before homering off Kinney.
Promote this thread! | | Sec19Row53
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| #2 Posted on 12.4.04 1743.39 Reposted on: 12.4.11 1744.19 | Bob Uecker's call of the shot "There it is" followed by the roar of the crowd. Ueck stayed silent for a good long time to allow those of us enjoying the game on the Brewer's radio network to scream "Why the hell did you pitch to him when you were down 3-1 and had a base open, and he had just fouled back a fastball on 3-0???" | redsoxnation
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| #3 Posted on 12.4.04 1914.33 Reposted on: 12.4.11 1917.00 | Originally posted by Sec19Row53 Bob Uecker's call of the shot "There it is" followed by the roar of the crowd. Ueck stayed silent for a good long time to allow those of us enjoying the game on the Brewer's radio network to scream "Why the hell did you pitch to him when you were down 3-1 and had a base open, and he had just fouled back a fastball on 3-0???"
Because they are the Brewers generally is an accepted reason. Kornheiser and Wilbon were not extremely pleased about being pre-empted for the home run, as they had argued about 30 seconds before being cut-off that this 'record' is a creation of ESPN and isn't a record because how the hell can tying for #3 be a record. | Whitebacon
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| #4 Posted on 12.4.04 1930.28 Reposted on: 12.4.11 1934.20 | Originally posted by redsoxnation
Originally posted by Sec19Row53 Bob Uecker's call of the shot "There it is" followed by the roar of the crowd. Ueck stayed silent for a good long time to allow those of us enjoying the game on the Brewer's radio network to scream "Why the hell did you pitch to him when you were down 3-1 and had a base open, and he had just fouled back a fastball on 3-0???"
Because they are the Brewers generally is an accepted reason. Kornheiser and Wilbon were not extremely pleased about being pre-empted for the home run, as they had argued about 30 seconds before being cut-off that this 'record' is a creation of ESPN and isn't a record because how the hell can tying for #3 be a record.
They're right to be miffed. Sure, he's moving one step up the ladder, but how is this any different than say, Sosa moving past Ernie Banks? Besides, the stupid torch WASN'T EVEN LIT. | Eddie Famous
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| #5 Posted on 12.4.04 2257.47 Reposted on: 12.4.11 2258.07 | Originally posted by redsoxnation Kornheiser and Wilbon were not extremely pleased about being pre-empted for the home run, as they had argued about 30 seconds before being cut-off that this 'record' is a creation of ESPN and isn't a record because how the hell can tying for #3 be a record.
Kornhole and Wilbon need to go bite something. Just because nothing they do will ever be in the top 3 of anything. Oh damn, we missed a few minutes of their jibber jabber for a piece of baseball history, shut down the whole damn network.
| The Thrill
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| #6 Posted on 13.4.04 0439.35 Reposted on: 13.4.11 0441.15 | Originally posted by Sec19Row53 Bob Uecker's call of the shot "There it is" followed by the roar of the crowd. Ueck stayed silent for a good long time to allow those of us enjoying the game on the Brewer's radio network to scream "Why the hell did you pitch to him when you were down 3-1 and had a base open, and he had just fouled back a fastball on 3-0???"
Not to mention that the dude hitting behind him has like a buck-85 or so average. Dammit, there are some times you just DON'T F'N PITCH TO BARRY F'N BONDS. Memo to Ned Yost: This was probably one of those.
Brought to you by the same club that laid down at County Stadium back in the day to Nolan Ryan for career win #300.
I swear, we're gonna see Yost in old-style screaming car dealer commercials (with apologies to Strong Bad): "Come on down to Discount Milestone Warehouse! Looking to secure a place in MLB history? We're your men! Need a national moment in the spotlight? Call us...the Milwaukee Brewers! Anyplace, anytime...the Brew Crew is your T-E-A-M to do the J-O-B! Just ask for us...the guys at Miller Park!"
Ye Gods. | Big Bad
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| #7 Posted on 13.4.04 0542.27 Reposted on: 13.4.11 0543.18 | What the hell was up with this quote from Bonds??
I felt a sense of accomplishment in baseball. It's a relief now to be able to stand next to my godfather and finally feel like I've accomplished something in the game of baseball.
He's only NOW feeling like he's accomplished something? Hello? The home run titles? The MVP awards? The clutch (if losing) performance in the 2002 Series? What? | TwisterF5
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| #8 Posted on 13.4.04 0623.39 Reposted on: 13.4.11 0623.44 | Whoopie.
He's not even the greatest LEFTY home run hitter.
I just can't give a shit about a guy who doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself. He actually looks and sounds like he's in pain when he tries to deflect the attention off himself and commend his teammates, other past great hitters, the steroid distributor, the guy who washes his cars, etc. Come on, you arrogant prick....the Babe hit more dingers than you while fueled on hot dogs and beer, not Dianabol or whatever crap he injects. THAT'S someone to look up to...HA. | DrDirt
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| #9 Posted on 13.4.04 0827.29 Reposted on: 13.4.11 0829.01 | Originally posted by Big Bad What the hell was up with this quote from Bonds??
I felt a sense of accomplishment in baseball. It's a relief now to be able to stand next to my godfather and finally feel like I've accomplished something in the game of baseball.
He's only NOW feeling like he's accomplished something? Hello? The home run titles? The MVP awards? The clutch (if losing) performance in the 2002 Series? What?
He is trying to present the new, humble Barry and distract everyone from the sterois stuff. | Corajudo
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| #10 Posted on 13.4.04 0830.38 Reposted on: 13.4.11 0839.12 | Mays was in attendance and came on the field with a torch in hand after Bonds reached home.
Did this sentence jump out at anyone other than me? I haven't seen the highlights, but this sounds like it could be one of the cheesiest/silliest things ever. I guess subtlety is a lost art form. Besides, what would be the point of the damn torch. Barry Bonds jacks one into the water, the fans are going nuts, bowing, etc. Willie Mays comes out to congratulate Barry, just adding to the moment. But, he's got a torch?!? WTF?!?
Still, the worst thing of all is that he is now tied for #3. Maybe I'm missing something, but I always pictured Hank Aaron as the one carrying the career home run torch. But, in my mind, he never had an actual torch. Did Willie Mays walk around all the time with his torch? Also, I think that Mantle would have been #3 when Mays passed him. Did Mantle have the torch first? Where did the torch come from? I know that there is the famous picture of Babe Ruth with the crown. But, I think the crown said 714, so I guess it can't be passed down. So, if Babe has the crown and Willie gave the torch to Bonds so that Barry has the torch, what does Aaron have? | The Amazing Salami
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| #11 Posted on 13.4.04 0843.04 Reposted on: 13.4.11 0852.19 | Originally posted by Corajudo Maybe I'm missing something, but I always pictured Hank Aaron as the one carrying the career home run torch. Also, I think that Mantle would have been #3 when Mays passed him. Did Mantle have the torch first?
I think it had more to do with the fact that both of them played for the Giants...that it was a concocted "moment" that the Giants organization can profit from. The Greatest Giant Ever passing the torch to the new Greatest Giant Ever. Not saying the homers had nothing to do with it, but had Mays been a Dodger or Yankee or something like that, this never happens. | StaggerLee
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| #12 Posted on 13.4.04 0959.10 Reposted on: 13.4.11 0959.20 | Originally posted by The Amazing Salami
Originally posted by Corajudo Maybe I'm missing something, but I always pictured Hank Aaron as the one carrying the career home run torch. Also, I think that Mantle would have been #3 when Mays passed him. Did Mantle have the torch first?
I think it had more to do with the fact that both of them played for the Giants...that it was a concocted "moment" that the Giants organization can profit from. The Greatest Giant Ever passing the torch to the new Greatest Giant Ever. Not saying the homers had nothing to do with it, but had Mays been a Dodger or Yankee or something like that, this never happens.
OR a Met?
Or Barry being a Pirate?
Either way, Barry Bonds makes me ill. I hate him, and all that he stands for. "I've accomplished something" Fuck you, you accomplished hitting a lot of homers in a lot of games that didnt mean shit. Should have hit some of those back in Pittsburg,in the post season, and maybe you would have a World Series ring or two for your efforts. Slamming a bunch of homers while "allegedly" being doped up isnt anything that I consider an accomplishment. | Eddie Famous
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| #13 Posted on 13.4.04 2124.25 Reposted on: 13.4.11 2125.31 | Originally posted by StaggerLee Fuck you, you accomplished hitting a lot of homers in a lot of games that didnt mean shit. Should have hit some of those back in Pittsburg,in the post season, and maybe you would have a World Series ring or two for your efforts. Slamming a bunch of homers while "allegedly" being doped up isnt anything that I consider an accomplishment.
Let's also discount every homerun Aaron hit after 1958, since he didn't get to any series after that year. Let's also take out all of Mantle's homeruns that he was high on greenies or pain pills. You know, there were a LOT of seasons Mays didn't make the series...and you can erase ALL of Ernie Banks' homers.
Hate the guy personally all you want, but he is number three in the most popular statistical category of a game that has been professionally played for over 150 years. THAT is an accomplishment. Saying otherwise is just silly, bordering on ignorant.
(edited by Eddie Famous on 13.4.04 1925) | StaggerLee
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| #14 Posted on 14.4.04 0027.48 Reposted on: 14.4.11 0029.01 | Yeah, I am being SILLY and IGNORANT. I agree. But, its just because I blindly HATE BARRY BONDS. The one year, at the All Star game, about 6 years ago, he said in an interview "I love coming to all star games, because this is the closest I will get to a world series". Stupid fucking quote, and once again, dont choke in the post season year after year when you are young, and you may have a chance!
| Zeruel
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| #15 Posted on 14.4.04 0406.32 Reposted on: 14.4.11 0406.36 | I have a question. How many games a year did Aaron play back in the 50s and how many games a year do they play now?
Is it safe to assume that Aaron hit more HRs playing less games a year? I honestly don't know. I THINK there are 184? games played a year now? And maybe 100 a year back in the day? I honesly don't know.
If Aaron really did hit more HRs with less playing time than todays players, THAT is an accomplishment. | vsp
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| #16 Posted on 14.4.04 0822.51 Reposted on: 14.4.11 0823.13 | Originally posted by Zeruel If Aaron really did hit more HRs with less playing time than todays players, THAT is an accomplishment.
Seasons were 154 games back in the day, then bumped up to 162 in 1961 due to expansion. Aaron played seven seasons in the 154-game era.
Aaron: 23 seasons, 3298 games, 12364 ABs, 1402 BBs. Bonds: 18 seasons, 2569 games, 8725 ABs, 2070 BBs. Mays: 22 seasons, 2992 games, 10881 ABs, 1464 BBs. Ruth: 22 seasons, 2503 games, 8399 ABs, 2062 BBs.
Of course, this isn't in a vacuum. Added expansion has diluted the pitching talent pool more so than in Aaron's era, and Aaron played through a period (late 60's, particularly 1968) when pitchers dominated the league.
Aaron was much like Rose, in that he got his record more through longevity _and_ consistency than through outrageous single-season accomplishments. Twenty consecutive years with 20+ dingers is no small feat.
(edited by vsp on 14.4.04 0629) | Sec19Row53
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| #17 Posted on 15.4.04 1243.40 Reposted on: 15.4.11 1244.51 | Originally posted by vsp Of course, this isn't in a vacuum. Added expansion has diluted the pitching talent pool more so than in Aaron's era, and Aaron played through a period (late 60's, particularly 1968) when pitchers dominated the league.
Something that should always be brought up to counter the argument of "Expansion dilutes pitching" is that the population base available from which to pick pitchers has expanded at approximately the same rate. That is to say, baseball players make up about the same percentage of the general population now as pre-expansion. This is due not only to population growth, but the influx of talent from places other than the US. | vsp
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| #18 Posted on 15.4.04 1458.38 Reposted on: 15.4.11 1459.01 | Originally posted by Sec19Row53 Something that should always be brought up to counter the argument of "Expansion dilutes pitching" is that the population base available from which to pick pitchers has expanded at approximately the same rate. That is to say, baseball players make up about the same percentage of the general population now as pre-expansion. This is due not only to population growth, but the influx of talent from places other than the US.
Except that an expanded population base does not necessarily equate to an expanded number of pitchers capable of performing at an elite major-league level.
Aaron played his entire career in the post-Jackie Robinson era (obviously), in integrated leagues with 16, 18, 20 and 24 teams. Bonds's leagues started with 26, went to 28 the year that his HR production bumped up, and went to 30 the year that McGwire and Sosa went nuts.
That's an extra 60-70+ pitchers over the MOST Aaron ever had to face, and while the percentage of foreign players has been slowly increasing over the years, they were hardly unheard of in Aaron's era. You'll have a hard time convincing me that those bottom 60-70+ vacancies have been filled by a majority of pitchers who easily could've gotten an MLB job in a smaller league.
Note that _Aaron_ also benefitted from two waves of expansion, getting to bat against cruddy Mets, Astros, Padres and Expos pitchers in their early years of existence, as did Mays. Expansion's not a one-way street, and it contributed to Aaron racking up 755 and Mays racking up 660. | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
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