I'm wasn't sure how much press this would receive, but I thought it was definitely worth a post to this blog, and certainly wanted to write this one up:
In what could be conceived as a relatively insignificant game of baseball between two teams that are more likely going to watch the MLB postseason than participate in them, it was a little game that made a little history. In a 2-1 victory, the Florida Marlins beat the Washington Nationals on Friday night, but it was the bottom of fourth inning that stood out, when third baseman Jorge Cantu watched his 25th Home Run soar the Marlins in the history books as the only team to have all four infielders produce 25 or more long balls in a single season.
Jorge Cantu, Hanley Ramirez (SS), Dan Uggla (2B), and Mike Jacobs (1B) have truly accomplished an unbelievable feat this season. In comparison, six other teams in history have come close, having each of the four infielders hit at least 20 Home Runs in a single season (the 1940 Boston Red Sox, 1986 Detroit Tigers, 1996 Baltimore Orioles, and 2004 and 2005 Texas Rangers).
For the 12,121 fans in attendance at Dolphin Stadium to watch their Marlins, it gave those (truly) Marlins faithful a little joy in the backend of a season that started promising, but tailspinned into mediocrity. And while there isn’t an “X” next to the Marlins in the standings, it’s nearly impossible for the right stars to align into a postseason appearance for the fish. But the stars on the Marlins roster are certainly glowing, which should offer some solace and hope for the future.
But for the present, the Marlins will be glad to relish in this historic moment.
“You've got to have the right four guys out there,” Jacobs said. “You look around the game and no other team's got what we got.”
Just before 12:00 AM here on the east coast, a baseball bat cracks sending one over the fence at A####mp;T Park. Bonds at the plate watches. The bat slips from his grip. Arms fly up, cheers break out. Fireworks shoot out from the scoreboard as number 25 rounds the bases after a fan catches number 756.
Bonds’ son hops over the dugout. Wife steps onto the field. “Say Hey” Willie Mays gives him a hug and a microphone. Bud Selig, this time, is not forced to look like a deer in head lights on national TV when Bonds belts the go ahead Home Run out of the park. Soon, the attention of the audience is directed at an electronic screen on the scoreboard where the face of one Hank Aaron plays his role in congratulating Barry Bonds. A cameraman for ESPN catches a beautiful shot from behind Bonds’ ballooned head of Bonds watching Aaron wishing him his best.
With Aaron completing his speech, it’s time for Bonds to do one of his own. Bonds keeps it sweet and short, only thanking a select few of people, omitting BALCO, Victor Conte, or “the guy” who put him on his program.
And like Bonds’ speech, this blog will hopefully be sweet (for readers), but certainly short.
While some celebrate, some question. While some will remember forever, others will want to forget…right now. In 30 years, a grandfather will tell his grandson his personal story of witnessing baseball history. Another will tell his about witnessing the greatest controversial home run in baseball history. It’s all about perception. No matter how YOU see it, this day is special in a lot of ways. For me, I’m the fan hoping that in 30 years, I’ll be telling my grandson about the history making Home Run A-Rod hit.
Do you remember when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's All time Home Run record? Do you remember watching the two fans who ran out on the field and pat Aaron on the back as he rounded second base? It’s a great memory for sports fans and Hank Aaron was one of the only men whom one could rally behind and cheer for. Today, controversial power hitter Barry Bonds sits three home runs back in the effort to take the crown from Aaron. But one thing remains: Bonds won’t land the warm congratulations that Aaron received.
“Records are meant to be broken,” which one can assume can go hand-in-hand with the saying “rules are meant to be broken;” especially in this case. Now while there is no clear evidence that Barry Bonds went beyond the rules and used anabolic steroids to improve his performance, mainly his hitting, Bonds is wearing the scarlet letter. Just the speculation that Bonds might have used performance enhancers is enough for anyone to wonder whether or not that asterisk should be placed above the “s” in his last name when he inevitably towers above Hank Aaron’s name in the record books. But it doesn’t take an abuser or muscle maniac to see Bonds’ physique transform the way it did throughout the years. It also doesn’t help when a chemist known for his creation, “the clear,” discloses that Victor Conte, founder of BALCO, helped Bonds with his “program,” or that MLB commissioner Bud Selig tried to ignore the home run record and Bonds himself entirely. Though the question doesn’t lie with the creators of drugs, or even the commissioner, it lies with the fans.
Without fans, there would be no league. Though extremely cliché, it is extremely true. The true determination of Bonds’ ever driving journey will lie with us and how we react when Bonds breaks the record. How will the fans look at Bonds when number 756 is hit over the wall? Will we decide to overlook the accusations of Bonds’ steroid abuse or decide to delve right into them? Will we choose to believe Bonds cheated his way into the record books? If you're looking for an answer, I have an uplifting feeling that many might just hope A-Rod, in years to come, breaks Bonds’ record.
Hi. As you can tell by my screen name, I am a big Miami Sports fan, specifically the Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat. I'm a college student with a major in Communication s- Writing/Journ alism.
