Barrypalooza
ATLANTA — It’s 11 p.m. here at Turner Field. The Braves beat the Giants 5-4, Atlanta manager Bobby Cox cursed his way into the recordbooks, Barry Bonds remains stuck on 758 career homers and Hank Aaron left town to avoid the circus.
Here's a possible talking point for loyal blog readers (OK, this one’s for you, Mom) -- Does the fact that Aaron headed out of town for the duration of the Atlanta-San Francisco series do anything to diminish his reputation for class?
Aaron congratulated Bonds when he hit No. 756, although it was done via videotape and more than likely through gritted teeth. But it was a nice gesture and Aaron was universally applauded for reaching out to Bonds even though the Giants’ slugger has been universally painted as a test subject for BALCO chemists.
This isn't intended to be a referendum on Bonds' guilt or innocence. The book ''Game of Shadows'' lays out some pretty interesting -- and credible -- information, but Bonds has insisted he never knowingly took performance enhancing drugs. The Mitchell investigation will hopefully answer questions about the authenticity of his record.
But I'm wondering whether Aaron missed an opportunity tonight as a baseball statesman.
Should he have stuck around, welcomed Bonds to Turner Field, shaken his hand and posed for photographs?
Would doing so have marked another step for Aaron on the high road or would it have been seen as a false front?
What do you think?
3 comments:
Read your latest column today... regarding the Barry Bonds and how Hank wasn't there...
NOTE - Also noticed it isn't available online... yet.
You listed all those courageous things associated with Hank Aaron but then reduced it by suggesting he somehow had to meet with the Steroid Bull in person to uphold that honor.
Geez, Troy... and you had done so well lately too.
I guess I just don’t buy it that Hank Aaron needs to wade into a cesspool to maintain what he worked so hard for to begin with. His honor, honesty and his record will stand without asterisks or props… which is a truckload more than we can say about Bonds, thank you.
Of course, a column like that is ure to rankle many folks who might write letters to the editor, therefore validating the piece.
Any readership is good readership at 50 cents a pop? Just kidding. You wouldn’t do that… even for them folks there on 12th Street.
…
Redoubt,
Don't know why the column was late making its way online. The Web site is out of my hands, but I do control my blogosphere.
I enjoy turning issues upside-down once in a while.
Here's where I was coming from on the Aaron-Bonds thing: Why make a video-taped congratulatory message if it's not in your heart?
If Hank believes Bonds cheated, then snub him all the way around.
My personal feeling is that Aaron felt moved to do 'something' but I don't think Hammerin' Hank is any fool either. I think he sees what we all do and he feels no compulsion to offer more than a minimal nod.
My guess is that, he did what he did for the sport, not the man.
I can respect that.
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