Home Run Record - Is it about Selig?
by Michael Benedict, President
Isn’t it a wonder how the all-time home run record is being approached by one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball history and the commissioner of baseball has somehow got the press to cover him just as much as the actual player? Bud Selig’s attempt to steal the limelight from Barry Bonds by wavering on the decision of whether to attend the historical occasion is fascinating.
Here is a commissioner who is hurting the game’s image, instead of promoting it. Mr. Selig has the opportunity to celebrate the home run, record-breaking performance and shine some positive light on the tarnished image of MLB (player scandals and the ever-looming performance enhancement drugs). Barry Bonds has yet to be found guilty of any performance enhancing wrongdoing, yet in typical American fashion, he is being treated as guilty before proven innocent.
Does the commissioner stand behind this player? No. He stands in the shadows of this controversy, letting the media ostracize Bonds, while drawing attention to his own waffling about whether or not to go to the game when Barry Bonds breaks the record. Is he waiting for a last minute revelation that Bonds is innocent or guilty before deciding? Standing by someone who repeatedly states that he has not done anything wrong, looks appropriate. Casting blame on someone who has not been proven guilty looks foolish for Selig, his office, and MLB.
Mr. Selig talks about how the most important thing is the race for the pennant, but in 10 years what are people going to remember? That the Atlanta Braves won the world series or that Barry Bonds broke the home-run record set by Hank Aaron over 30 years ago. That is quite an accomplishment, regardless of the controversy that surrounds it.
We know you have “a day job” to attend to Mr. Selig, and yes that includes protecting the integrity of the game as well as positively promoting it. Go to the game and don’t redo what Mr. Kuhn did years ago. And by the way, Mr. Selig, the potential home run record-breaking attempt is about Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and the fans, not your decision whether to be at the game.
July 20th, 2007 at 10:11 am
I could not agree more. First of all, Mr. Selig is tarnishing a sport already known for controversy, troubles, bad decisions, and over all lack of support. Secondly, The record is about the fans and has nothing to do with the personal qualms of a man who seems very unconcerned about a sport that needs heroes, more then ever, no matter how much controversy surrounds them.
Also, going off on a tangent here, it matters not to me, whether bonds has been on steroids or not. Let me explain. In my opinion, Barry Bonds, steroids or not is a great ball player. My annoyance and problem with the whole steroid issue boils down to the fact that he has hit 753 home runs. Steroids do not make you a better hitter, I could not go out right now and buy some anabolic steroids, join a Major League team, and hit 750 home runs. Rafael Palmero and many other players have admitted to taking steroids and while Palmero did have 3,000 hits he didn’t smash anywhere near 750 home runs.
My overall point is this, Bonds will break the home run record, and like it or not everyone, including Mr. Selig, needs to realize and appreciate this truly historic fact!