AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > February > 19 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBonds can’t escape asterisk
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Some things can’t be stopped: The circus will officially open today when Barry Bonds has his first workout of the spring in the most scrutinized of his 22 seasons.
Some things are inevitable: Barring an exploding appendage, Bonds will hit at least 22 home runs this season and claim sports’ most cherished record, reducing Henry Aaron, the personification of honesty and dignity, to second-best.
So let’s move on.
Bud Selig, the commissioner of baseball, played verbal footsie two weeks ago when he said he wasn’t sure if he would be present when Bonds hits his 756th home run. But this would be a difficult situation for any commissioner, let alone one that makes Charlie Brown look like a Type-A personality.
Some things are obvious: Selig’s not going to take an official position on Bonds. Why? Because while he knows what we all know, he doesn’t have proof. Bonds might be the greatest baseball player in history, but his statistics — like his arms, his chest, his legs and his cranium — were artificially enhanced for at least four to five seasons.
So what to do?
Nothing. Move on. Because the rhetoric is a wasted exercise. Because we’ll always know the truth. Because regardless of how many home runs Barry Bonds hits, history will judge him as most outside of San Francisco judge him now.
Bonds has been the poster boy for the drug era. That’s probably unfair. He isn’t/wasn’t the lone juicer. He’s probably not even the biggest, just the most notorious. We’re never really going to know about him or almost anybody. George Mitchell can’t even get anybody to say what Jose Canseco already has and what two San Francisco Chronicle reporters already revealed.
But years from now, we’ll read records and see highlights and watch Hall of Fame inductions from some players in the steroid era and we’ll view it all with a mental asterisk.
People, we do it all the time.
Notre Dame, South Carolina and Minnesota all went on probation after Lou Holtz coached there, but the NCAA never found his fingerprints. So he’s innocent? OK. Bill Clinton says he didn’t have sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky. Right. O.J. Simpson: The glove didn’t fit.
We see. We think. We know.
Mark McGwire turns mute at Congressional drug hearings. It’s not what an innocent and retired athlete does. Rafael Palmeiro says he’s drug free, then he tests positive and goes underground. Oops. Jason Giambi apologizes but he never specifies what for. We get it. Brady Anderson hits 16 home runs in 1995, then 50 in 1996. Don’t tell me - protein shakes.
It has been a strange setup for what should be a glorious moment on baseball’s timeline. Word leaked that Bonds tested positive for amphetamines and he immediately responded by throwing a teammate, Mark Sweeney, under the bus. On the Bonds scale, this barely rates. Greg Anderson, his trainer and alleged pal, is in prison because he won’t say anything that might get Bonds in trouble. While Anderson gets bread and water, Bonds gets an $18.5 million contract.
Bonds’ contract contains a clause (possibly unenforceable) voiding the deal if he is indicted for lying to a grand jury in the BALCO case. And Giants owner Peter Magowan was so sheepish about re-signing him that he sent a letter to season ticket holders stating: “Please know I have not taken lightly this particularly controversial and difficult decision.”
In the old days, you just prepared for a celebration by hanging bunting.
Bonds could face perjury charges. There’s also a possibility he will be charged with income tax evasion, violating banking laws and money laundering. You thought using “the cream” was bad. By comparison, that looks like jaywalking.
But any chance of Bonds getting nailed at all is slim. Any chance of proof showing up before he hits home run No. 756 is sleeping with Sasquatch.
The record will fall. Accept it or reject it, but it’s going to happen. When it does, they will cheer in San Francisco and boo or turn away everywhere else.
But Bonds needs to understand this: One momentous swing won’t change how history views the moment. Because we know. We’ll always know.
Permalink | Comments (38) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Ripme
February 20, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this
Bond will never be as good as Hank because Hank was no juicer, he didn’t have to. Bond sucks, I will not go to the park when Bond comes to town, no way. I’d rather give my money to the homeless.
By Braves fan 202
February 20, 2007 02:07 AM | Link to this
R u kidding, of course i will be at the park when bonds comes to town. I want to participate in the boos. If i saw barry drowning id throw him a water hose. This man has done plenty to desrve my disrespect, and i will pay plenty for front row seats to show that disrespect. Please bravos throw at his knees please!!!
By Larry
February 20, 2007 06:14 AM | Link to this
OJ Simpson, Bill Clinton and Barry Bonds. The only question is which one will address the Democratic National Convention first?
By Lee
February 20, 2007 07:18 AM | Link to this
Go to the game, don’t boo, just turn your back. If 30,000 just stood up, turned their backs and were perfectly quiet until he was through, it would send a bigger message. He’s heard booing, but he hates to be ignored even worse.
By mark
February 20, 2007 08:18 AM | Link to this
I think the Giants had no other option but to sign Bonds to that one year contract , Im sure they were hopeing he would not be able to play or finally get convicted of the long ROID case.They know as much as all baseball pitcher , that he is not good for the game.
By mark
February 20, 2007 08:23 AM | Link to this
Its sad that a Blogger would compare Former President of the United States Bill Clinton to OJ Simpson..makes me want to stop reading AJC
By Richard
February 20, 2007 09:08 AM | Link to this
Yes,Bonds will surely break the record unless some pitcher “accidently” lets a pitch get away. The real shame in all this is that the Hall of Fame voters will vote him in.
By Vinnie
February 20, 2007 09:09 AM | Link to this
Thanks for bringing up what I’ve been saying for a few years now. Holtz is one of those cut and run coaches. I heard on National radio how great the athletes at ND were when Holtz coached. I wonder why … I also wonder when “College Gameday” will be put on probation. Most likely one year after Holtz leaves the show.
PS: Boo, Bonds … GO BRAVES!
By Vinnie
February 20, 2007 09:14 AM | Link to this
Bonds on “the juice” … OJ is “THE Juice”. Hmmmmmmmm …
By BabeOnBaseball
February 20, 2007 09:41 AM | Link to this
Well said Jeff! As a lifelong Braves fan, I’m saddened at the possiblity (can’t bring myself to say probability) that Barry will break Hank’s record this year. I’ve spent the last two season praying to the baseball gods that Barry would retire. I found myself hoping that knowing what he has done, his conscience would convince him to retire and not break the record. Clearly I was deluding myself, because we all know that’s not Barry. Your article was absolutely right though and I think now I can deal with the inevitible record-breaking event when it comes this season. Without a doubt, I will be one of millions with the mental asterisk in my head next to Barry’s record. Hank will always be the homerun king in my book, and I’m sure plenty of others feel the same way.
By Rich
February 20, 2007 09:47 AM | Link to this
*? Should be an eraser.
By Roswell Ed
February 20, 2007 09:49 AM | Link to this
I’m tired of baseball!
When a BUM like JD Drew makes 75 mil a season something is wrong!!
Bonds is just the head on the boil that is MLB!!
By Morris
February 20, 2007 09:49 AM | Link to this
Are there asterisks on Aaron’s record for the home runs he hit as a designated hitter while he was with the Brewers?
Enough with the asterisks already. It gets us no where.
By Roswell Ed
February 20, 2007 09:53 AM | Link to this
Excuse me 75 mil over the life of the contract!!!! My bad.
By BabeOnBaseball
February 20, 2007 09:53 AM | Link to this
Shameless plug for my own blog where I’m going to discuss my feelings on this topic further: http://babeonbaseball.blogspot.com.
By BUSHWACKER
February 20, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
Jeff, if you ever get the chance to talk to Bonds tell him this. Right now most people say Willie Mays is the greatest player of all time although I’d say Aaron is, the numbers don’t lie. My point is, Bonds could go a LONG WAY in repairing his image and legacy by simply retiring right now. With all his other numbers, being 2nd all time in HR’s, he still might be considered the greatest of all time. It would show he has just a little bit of class and might repair his reputation enough by allowing Aaron to remian HR King that enough voters might put him in the HOF. I think right now he has no shot at getting in.
DO HE RIGHT THING BARRY, I think you will be suprised at how much that can change how people think about you, people would actually start to like you if you simply DO THE RIGHT THING!!!
By BUSHWACKER
February 20, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Morris, don’t forget Aaron broke the record while still playing everyday for the Braves!!!
By Morris
February 20, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
Bushwacker - Understood that Aaron played fulltime in NL when breaking the record. However, he extended the record for a couple of years while playing designated hitter in the AL. Many would say that is not the same. I certainly am not comparing Aaron to Bonds. I’m just pointing out that there is always a case for asterisks. Where does it stop?
By BirdMahn
February 20, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Of course the saddest thing is going to be when the day comes that the Hank Aaron award is re-named the Barry Bonds award. It will happen sooner or later, when that mental asterisk fades away.
By GoDawgs06
February 20, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
This whole bashing thing is silly, let the guy hit the HR and move on..for whatever you have to say, it still is an incredible accomplishment, the guy with or without the steroids is one of the top 5 greatest players of all time…unless we get real proof, boo all you want but lets move on..and for all you people who complain about Bonds messing up the sport, best believe the reason why you won’t find any proof is bc if he goes down you best believe he’s taking ‘everybody’ down and that includes Selig and MLB and probably the greatness of the other big swole 44 year old in baseball, Roger Clemons
By Orlando Rivera
February 20, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Just so as long as the record belongs to a black man….WHOA, had a Terence Moore moment…whew, let me recollect myself.
Roswell Ed, I think baseball will be fine without you.
For everyone else, as much as we would selfishly like to see the home run record belong to Aaron, records are made to be broken.
If being a aloof with the media & fans was a hindrance to the Hall of Fame, then Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and a slew of others would never be in the game. Also, steriods don’t prevent you from being a great hitter & possessing a great eye at the plate, and Bonds (whether we like to admit it or not) has both patience and a solid swing.
In no way would I ever condone using steriods, I think they are damaging to the organs as well as a stimulant for emotional rage. However, what really gets me is that only Bonds seems to be singled out. When I hear someone go after Roger Clemens or villify Shawne Merriman for what he did, THEN perhaps we can really begin cracking down on steriod users.
In the long run, though, I really don’t think it will matter because I believe A-Rod or someone else will break Bonds’ record and all of this steriod talk will come to an abrupt end.
By True Braves Fan
February 20, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
Enough ink devoted to Barry Bonds and Tom Glavine. Let’s move on and write about the BRAVES…
By Don't drink and type
February 20, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
What would be hilarious this season is if fans stand and turn their backs when Bonds comes to the plate. They would have to turn around or risk getting hit by a foul, but doing it as he walks to the plate would send a powerful message.
By Don't drink and type
February 20, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this
What would be hilarious this season is if fans stand and turn their backs when Bonds comes to the plate. They would have to turn around or risk getting hit by a foul, but doing it as he walks to the plate would send a powerful message.
By Jeff Schultz
February 20, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
Ripme — Wonder how many home runs Hank would’ve hit on steroids? 1,200?
Lee — I love your idea, It’ll never happen but I love it nonetheless.
Mark — CDon’t oversimply things saying I’m comparing Clinton and O.J. It’s just an analogy.
Morris — Others have already brought this up, but: Aaron hit 22 of his 755 home runs in his final two seasons as a DH. Regardless, being a DH does not improve a hitter’s home run ability like performance-enhancing drugs. Wouldn’t you agree? DH is not perceived on any level as cheating or having a competitive advantage. That’s the difference.
True Braves fan — I’m going to Florida in a couple of weeks and I’ll see what I can do for you.
Thanks all. Jeff
By Dr.Doom
February 20, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
I think Bonds should be lynched from the highest tree in San Fransissyco.
By ed glennon
February 20, 2007 03:25 PM | Link to this
I was at a Giants’ game last year when Bonds hit a home run and they gave me a Bonds Button. When he breaks Aaron’s record they should give everyone a little bottle of face cream. I think a little cream would be a great way to honor him.
Ed in Eugene, Oregon
By bc
February 20, 2007 03:51 PM | Link to this
Listen, by no means am I condoning the use of steroids but even if a baseball player is on them they still have to hit a round ball that is traveling 90mph and moving with a round bat. If you do not hit a baseball in the right spot it will not reach the seats. Steroids do not help your hand eye coordination. You still have to be a great hitter to even come close to what Hank has done. Barry was hitting the long ball way before anyone thought to say, hey me might be on roids. Dont get me wrong I think it disrespects the game, be it baseball, football, basketball or hockey but steroids don’t make you a better player. They may make you stronger, *if you work your butt off(90% of weight gained by steroids is water weight that is lost once you come off your cycle), but they do not an will not improve your game just by taking them. Records are made to be broken, and eventually they all do get broken. I think that there are to many uninformed people out there shooting off at the mouth.
By Reggie Stefaniszyn
February 20, 2007 06:47 PM | Link to this
Yes, I agree steroids won’t make you a better player, but it will make you hit a ball maybe 20 - 30 feet further. How many of Bonds homers would have been long fly outs, if he hadn’t used steroids??
Reggie in Edmonton, Canada
By Beretverde
February 20, 2007 07:53 PM | Link to this
It’s a shame that a piece of dirt (Bonds) is to break a remarkable record. An astersik is definitely called for in Bonds’ case. However, I think Selig isn’t “man” enough to stand up to “dirt.” Another stain on sports, all brought on by Bonds himself!
By Randy
February 20, 2007 08:02 PM | Link to this
Barry Bonds is a disgrace to the great game of baseball. The record will be tarnished to say the least.
By TheSouthernJackAss
February 20, 2007 09:13 PM | Link to this
So Schultz—what’s with the replies to a few of the bloggers?—are you trying to be another David O’Brien??—Oh you’ve got to sink a helluva lot lower than that to reach his level—and what will you call your blog? O’Brien’s is called the “man in black” blog, or something to that effect—guess you could call yours the “Bald man in Drag” blog!!!…
By Gene
February 20, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
I don’t care what Bonds does. I will never go to a game in which he plays. He is a non-entity to be ignored.
By fred
February 21, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
LOL @ Bushwacker: ” Aaron gteast player ever to play the game”
thanks for the belly laught “oh great and clueless homer”!
Interesting comparison between Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, as they were contemporaries facing the same conditions. Especially since Mays was one of the most fit players of his era. Mays (1931) is 3 years older than Aaron (1934), so here’s the breakdown of AB/HR at equal ages, starting in 1954 to eliminate Mays’ military service from the equation…
Mays Year-AB-HR/Aaron Year-AB-HR 1954/565/41……1957/615/44 1955/580/51……1958/601/30 1956/578/36……1959/629/39 1957/585/35……1960/590/40 1958/600/29……1961/603/34 1959/575/34……1962/592/45 1960/595/29……1963/631/44 1961/572/40……1964/570/24 1962/621/49……1965/570/32 1963/596/38……1966/603/44 1964/578/47……1967/600/39 1965/558/52……1968/606/29 1966/552/37……1969/547/44 1967/486/22……1970/516/38 1968/498/23……1971/495/47 1969/403/13……1972/449/34 1970/478/28……1973/392/40 1971/417/18……1974/340/20 1972/244/8……..1975/465/12 1973/209/6……..1976/271/10
Mays and Aaron were clearly peers/equals until the age of 35, at which point Mays’ power fell off, along with his ABs. Aaron, however, finds his second wind at age 35, and has the best power numbers of his career over the 5 year period when he was 34-39.
Aaron had no significant power drop-off until he was 41, in terms of HR frequency.
Does this prove anything? Well, it might mean that he benefitted inordinately from the mound being shortened in 1969, but it sure doesn’t look any more or less fishy than Barry Bonds’ late career power burst.
By fred
February 21, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Interesting comparison between Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, as they were contemporaries facing the same conditions. Especially since Mays was one of the most fit players of his era. Mays (1931) is 3 years older than Aaron (1934), so here’s the breakdown of AB/HR at equal ages, starting in 1954 to eliminate Mays’ military service from the equation…
Mays Year-AB-HR/Aaron Year-AB-HR 1954/565/41……1957/615/44 1955/580/51……1958/601/30 1956/578/36……1959/629/39 1957/585/35……1960/590/40 1958/600/29……1961/603/34 1959/575/34……1962/592/45 1960/595/29……1963/631/44 1961/572/40……1964/570/24 1962/621/49……1965/570/32 1963/596/38……1966/603/44 1964/578/47……1967/600/39 1965/558/52……1968/606/29 1966/552/37……1969/547/44 1967/486/22……1970/516/38 1968/498/23……1971/495/47 1969/403/13……1972/449/34 1970/478/28……1973/392/40 1971/417/18……1974/340/20 1972/244/8……..1975/465/12 1973/209/6……..1976/271/10
Mays and Aaron were clearly peers/equals until the age of 35, at which point Mays’ power fell off, along with his ABs. Aaron, however, finds his second wind at age 35, and has the best power numbers of his career over the 5 year period when he was 34-39.
Aaron had no significant power drop-off until he was 41, in terms of HR frequency.
Does this prove anything? Well, it might mean that he benefitted inordinately from the mound being shortened in 1969, but it sure doesn’t look any more or less fishy than Barry Bonds’ late career power burst.
By fred
February 21, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
STEROIDS GROUND ZERO: 1973 ATLANTA BRAVES (Or what you will NOT read in Game of Shadows) One of the more distressing fabrications which has emerged from the BALCO case has been the erroneous contention that the so-called ‘Steroids Era’ began in 1991 with Jose Conseco as its architect. Nothing could be further from the truth. The San Francisco Chronicle, in a May 3rd 2005 article quoted former Major League pitcher Tom House of the Atlanta Braves as saying that steroids were rampant in the game in the late ’60s and throughout the ’70s. House, perhaps best known for catching Hank Aaron’s 715th home run ball in 1974 in the Atlanta Braves bullpen, said he and several teammates used amphetamines, human growth hormone and ‘whatever steroid’ they could find in order to keep up with the competition. “I pretty much popped everything cold turkey’, House said. “We were doing steroids they wouldn’t give to horses. That was the ’60s when nobody knew. The good thing is, we know now. There’s a lot more research and understanding.” House, 58, estimated that six or seven pitchers per team were at least experimenting with steroids or human growth hormone. He said players talked about losing to opponents using more effective drugs, “We didn’t get beat, we got out-milligrammed”, he said. “And when you found out what they were taking, you started taking them”. According to Rep. Henry A. Waxman in his March 17,2005 opening statement before the House Government Reform Committee: “Congress first investigated drugs and professional sports, including steroids over 30 years ago. I think perhaps the only two people in the room who will remember this are me and Commissioner Selig, because I believe he became owner in 1970”. In 1973, the year I first ran for Congress, the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce concluded a year-long investigation that found—and I quote—“drug use exists…in all sports and levels of competition…In some instances, the danger of improper drug use—primarily amphetamines and anabolic steroids—can only be described as alarming”. Bowie Kuhn, and the powers that be at the time, quietly squashed the entire tawdry episode and with good reason: it would cast suspicions on an African-American slugger who was challenging one of baseball’s most cherished records: The career record for home runs.
Compare Hank Aaron’s stats at the beginning of his career and then notice how his HR% began to increase beginning when Hammerin’ Hank was 37 years old.
HR% is defined as being the number of HRs per 100 ABs.
Age HRs HR% 33 44 7.3 34 39 6.5 35 29 4.8
Nothing unusual about these statistics; it is a typical profile of a slugger in decline as he ages. But then Hank began to undergo an ‘enhancement.’
Age HRs HR% 36 44 8.0 37 38 7.4
What explains this spike at a latter age? Expansion? Perhaps. But then what happens?
Age HRs HR% 38 47 9.5 39 34 7.6
Hank…What’s going on buddy? Aaron’s HR% were TOPS in the NL in both 1971 and 1972. Hmm.
Age HRs HR% 40 40 10.2
Which leads us to 1973 when at age 40 in just 392 at bats, juiced 40 HR’s for a HR% of 10.2. Once again TOPS in NL for the THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR and the HIGHEST HR% in the ENTIRE 23 year career of Hank Aaron.
Hank Aaron at 40 was not the only Atlanta Brave to hit 40 Hrs that season. Teammates Darrell Evans and Davey Johnson blasted 41 and 43 HRs respectively.
Darrell Evans
Year HRs HR% 1971 12 4.6 1972 19 4.5
1973 41 6.9
1974 25 4.4 1975 22 2.8
Notice a statistical anomaly? Let’s see what Davey Johnson did.
Davey Johnson
Year HRs HR% 1971 18 3.5 1972 5 1.3
1973 43 7.7
1974 15 3.3 1975 Played 1 game 1976 Did not play MLB
Notice a statistical anomaly? It would be one thing for Hank Aaron to undergo an ‘enhancement’, but what are the odds that not one but TWO teammates would both have career years in HR’s and HR% in the SAME YEAR as when a Congressional Committee issued its final report saying that anabolic steroids were rampant in the game? Why did Darrell Evans and Davey Johnson both experience career spikes in HR’s only to return to earth the following year? And how did Hank finish up?
Age HRs HR% 41 20 5.9 42 12 2.6 43 10 3.7
So what happened? Enquiring minds want to know.
The 1996 Baltimore Orioles set at the time the team HR record for one season. Brady Anderson’s 50 HR season was viewed suspiciously.
The manager of the 1996 Baltimore Orioles? Davey Johnson.
The only question remains: What did Bud Selig know and when did he know it?
Fay Vincent circulated a draft steroids policy in 1991. Selig knew that if the scab of steroids was picked off, the puss of the 1973 Atlanta Braves would be oozing all over the game. The scandal of Hank Aaron’s HR record being tainted by steroids use would have been a PR disaster at the time and. personally, extremely painful to Bud Selig who, after all, is a long-time friend of Hank Aaron.
Hence the boardroom coup which ousted Fay Vincent and made Bud Selig ‘Acting Commissioner’, while still maintaining his position as the owner of the Milwaukee Brewers, a blatant conflict of interest.
So long as Bud Selig remains in charge of Major League Baseball, the American public will never get to the bottom of the steroids scandal which has sullied the game. He has too much of a personal vested interest in Hank Aaron.
Besides, after this season, Barry Lamar Bonds will BE the HR KING.
LONG LIVE THE KING!!!
By fred
February 21, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
STEROIDS GROUND ZERO: 1973 ATLANTA BRAVES (Or what you will NOT read in Game of Shadows)
One of the more distressing fabrications which has emerged from the BALCO case has been the erroneous contention that the so-called ‘Steroids Era’ began in 1991 with Jose Canseco as its architect.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The San Francisco Chronicle, in a May 3rd 2005 article quoted former Major League pitcher Tom House of the Atlanta Braves as saying that steroids were rampant in the game in the late ’60s and throughout the ’70s.
House, perhaps best known for catching Hank Aaron’s 715th home run ball in 1974 in the Atlanta Braves bullpen, said he and several teammates used amphetamines, human growth hormone and ‘whatever steroid’ they could find in order to keep up with the competition.
“I pretty much popped everything cold turkey’, House said. “We were doing steroids they wouldn’t give to horses. That was the ’60s when nobody knew. The good thing is, we know now. There’s a lot more research and understanding.”
House, 58, estimated that six or seven pitchers per team were at least experimenting with steroids or human growth hormone. He said players talked about losing to opponents using more effective drugs,
“We didn’t get beat, we got out-milligrammed”, he said. “And when you found out what they were taking, you started taking them”.
According to Rep. Henry A. Waxman in his March 17,2005 opening statement before the House Government Reform Committee:
“Congress first investigated drugs and professional sports, including steroids over 30 years ago. I think perhaps the only two people in the room who will remember this are me and Commissioner Selig, because I believe he became owner in 1970”.
In 1973, the year I first ran for Congress, the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce concluded a year-long investigation that found—and I quote—“drug use exists…in all sports and levels of competition…In some instances, the danger of improper drug use—primarily amphetamines and anabolic steroids—can only be described as alarming”.
By Ken Stallings
February 21, 2007 01:21 AM | Link to this
Outstanding column, Jeff! Of course, in the city of Atlanta it is easy to love and admire Henry Aaron. But, again the point you so eloquently made is that Aaron is loved everywhere else.
History is repeating itself, but for entirely different reasons. At the time Aaron set the record, he received death threats. Of course, he lived and set that record during a time when racism was still an ugly reality in America. People of class and dignity embraced Henry Aaron the man and the player. People devoid of class reviled and threatened him.
Today, people of class and dignity are going to still consider Aaron the rightful record holder even when Bonds slams that fateful home run.
The shame is that Aaron has been denied a very dignified moment in his life, one he very much wanted to happen. He wanted very much to be on the field when his record was broken, and be able to personally congratulate the man who re-set the mark.
The tragedy is that Aaron will be denied that moment. The evidence against Bonds is so clear that now Aaron is on record as regretting this development.
So a class man is denied his moment of class. And the cause of all this is entirely too self-absorbed to understand what it all really means.