Record Breakers
Posted on July 18, 2007
by: Big Jar
Barry Bonds is expected to surpass Hank Aaron this summer as baseball’s all time home run leader. His path to the top has consistently remained at the forefront of every sports section and continually comes up in conversation amongst television baseball analysts and common fans alike.
But frankly, I find home runs kind of boring. Sure, if a Kirk Gibson or a Carlton Fisk hits one to win a historic playoff game, I think they’re great. But I eschew worshipping a guy like Bonds, since he has grown so one dimensional in his old age. Before his suspicious weight gain, Barry was a really exciting player who could do anything. These days, he hits a lot of long balls and takes a lot of pitches outside the strike zone. Yawn.
So I’d like to encourage baseball fans to ignore the circus surrounding Bonds and the home run chase this summer. Instead, focus on some of the more exciting records that may be eclipsed this season.
Over the course of his career, Houston Astros catcher/second baseman/center fielder/second baseman again Craig Biggio has been hit by 287 pitches. He is three HBPs away from topping the current leader, an old timey player named Hughie Jennings. Biggio is a first ballot Hall of Famer and one of the most fun and exciting players of my generation. Pretty soon, there won’t be anyone in recorded history who was better at getting nailed by baseballs. That’s quite an accomplishment, and I really hope he does it!
Atlanta manager Bobby Cox has been ejected from 131 games and is currently tied for the all time record with John McGraw.
As an aside, McGraw kept a piece of rope in his pocket that was used to lynch a black man. McGraw said it was a good luck charm. I say he was a fucking weirdo.
Anyway, I think that the ol’ battleaxe has it in him to get ejected one more time this year. Cox is certainly my favorite freak-out artist, and while Ron Gardenhire has had some memorable ejections over his career, he has a lot to learn from the master.
Anyway, the next time you turn on a baseball game, remember that there’s more to it than just hitting home runs. In order to make the major leagues, you also have to be really good at throwing tantrums and situating yourself in between projectiles and their targets.
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4 Responses to “Record Breakers”
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Hey, there weren’t any pictures of Barry Bonds hitting a home run in your post… I’d like to see some of those… Maybe a video or two… Thanks in advance for your quick response…
I find Bonds exhilarating to watch. I love to see a genius hitter in the batter’s box.
Well, let me ask you this in response: When you go to a baseball game, what do you hope to see most? A great at-bat, perhaps, or an acrobatic play in the field, or surmounting drama? My guess is that “seeing a home run” ranks very low on your list. Since you have a blog devoted entirely to baseball, I’m hoping that’s the case.
Of course it’s fun to watch a genius hitter, but baseball is a multi-faceted sport that has a lot going for it besides the long ball. My post was more about appreciating some of the other aspects of the game, especially when those are overshadowed by things that tend to be more commercially appealing but less rewarding for the dedicated fan. Is the home run record important? Yes. Is it the most important baseball related topic this summer? I certainly don’t think so.
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