Barry Bonds (Juiced Merge)

[LoKyBuckeye]

Say what you want about the guy, but that's a lot of dingers.

a lot of dingers and a lot of taters

 

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

BL - it's true what you say about the modern game where offense is concerned. However, isn't it equally as true to say that "old school" pitchers had an easier time of it? Bigger parks (Polo Grounds), higher mound (I think this is correct), more starts, less RP = more opps to win... and so on. I doubt anyone will ever come close to Cy Young's 511, or Chesbro's 41. I highly doubt we'll see a lower ERA than 1.04 (Brown) or even 1.12 (Gibson, Modern).

Of course, while today's parks appear hitter friendly, we still haven't seen a .400 hitter since 1941. So, I'd say they are simply more power friendly. Sign of the times, I guess.

Incidently, I would bet both A-Rod and Pujols end up passing Aaron, and I would bet Pujols ends up being the all time HR leader when all is said and done for his career (not bad for a guy who doesn't consider himself a power hitter). Of course, there's a long way to go, and either one of them could end up missing signifigant time with injuries... So...

Anyway, no one seems to worry that the house that Ruth built has one of the shortest fences in the majors to left (Dimensions: Left field: 280.58 (1923), 301 (1928), 312 (1976), 318 (1988)) and the Babe was a lefty.

 

[Bucklion]

BL - it's true what you say about the modern game where offense is concerned. However, isn't it equally as true to say that "old school" pitchers had an easier time of it? Bigger parks (Polo Grounds), higher mound (I think this is correct), more starts, less RP = more opps to win... and so on. I doubt anyone will ever come close to Cy Young's 511, or Chesbro's 41. I highly doubt we'll see a lower ERA than 1.04 (Brown) or even 1.12 (Gibson, Modern).

Of course, while today's parks appear hitter friendly, we still haven't seen a .400 hitter since 1941. So, I'd say they are simply more power friendly. Sign of the times, I guess.

Incidently, I would bet both A-Rod and Pujols end up passing Aaron, and I would bet Pujols ends up being the all time HR leader when all is said and done for his career (not bad for a guy who doesn't consider himself a power hitter). Of course, there's a long way to go, and either one of them could end up missing signifigant time with injuries... So...

Anyway, no one seems to worry that the house that Ruth built has one of the shortest fences in the majors to left (Dimensions: Left field: 280.58 (1923), 301 (1928), 312 (1976), 318 (1988)) and the Babe was a lefty.

Yeah, everyone said Grifey Jr. and A-Rod would be the guys...A-Rod still might make it, but it does show that injuries can certainly take a toll on a "chaser".

As for the old pitchers, sure, you can say that...of course the records are apples to oranges in some sense. A lot of people say, for example, there will never be another 300 game winner...let alone 500, which is very possible. Still, one more factor that helped all the really old pitchers was the "dead ball" era, where guys would lead the league in HRs with something like 15 or so for a period. So, yes, the pitchers got plenty of help, but no one really compares old pitchers to modern pitchers using numbers like they do hitters, it seems, for all of those reasons.

Of course you are right about .400, and it is a point well-taken, but the "money era" if you will, killed most of that pursuit of .400 anyway, because the slap-hitters (like Boggs and Gwynn, though they of course were well paid) didn't get the big contracts...the geeked up jabronis that could hit 30 or 40 did. Most of the changes to the parks don't help with hitting for average (some changes, like increasing the amount of foul ground in play, actually hurts them), but the fences are all moved in these days, to the extent that a pop fly out in 1970 would be a HR in pretty much any ballpark today. Therein lies the big difference...parks are tailored for HRs, and basically nothing else.

As for Ruth and the Bronx, certainly there is something to be said about that, but a lot of big HR hitters (like Maris and Mantle) followed him in the same park, and they were never close to his numbers, so I don't think you can "blame the park" in that case.

 

[Wingate1217]

BL - it's true what you say about the modern game where offense is concerned. However, isn't it equally as true to say that "old school" pitchers had an easier time of it? Bigger parks (Polo Grounds), higher mound (I think this is correct), more starts, less RP = more opps to win... and so on. I doubt anyone will ever come close to Cy Young's 511, or Chesbro's 41. I highly doubt we'll see a lower ERA than 1.04 (Brown) or even 1.12 (Gibson, Modern).

Of course, while today's parks appear hitter friendly, we still haven't seen a .400 hitter since 1941. So, I'd say they are simply more power friendly. Sign of the times, I guess.

Incidently, I would bet both A-Rod and Pujols end up passing Aaron, and I would bet Pujols ends up being the all time HR leader when all is said and done for his career (not bad for a guy who doesn't consider himself a power hitter). Of course, there's a long way to go, and either one of them could end up missing signifigant time with injuries... So...

Anyway, no one seems to worry that the house that Ruth built has one of the shortest fences in the majors to left (Dimensions: Left field: 280.58 (1923), 301 (1928), 312 (1976), 318 (1988)) and the Babe was a lefty.

I was on a plane a few years back and had the opportunity to talk to Bob Gibson during my trip. I asked him during his tenure on the ball field what was the one thing that changed during his career that affected baseball more than any other. He said from his perspective (being in the NL and a pitcher) that the lowering of the mound had a huge effect. Having said that he said today's pitchers are too soft as they give the inside of the plate to the hitter. It was not a knock on the pitchers but a direct criticism of the rules enforcement of today. He doubted that he could pitch in today's environment.
Don't fool yourself I believe Mr. Gibson would have done just fine....

 

[BB73]

BL - it's true what you say about the modern game where offense is concerned. However, isn't it equally as true to say that "old school" pitchers had an easier time of it? Bigger parks (Polo Grounds)

The Polo Grounds weren't exactly a disadvantage for Mel Ott.

Ott hit 323 career homers at the Polo Grounds, and only 188 in all other parks combined.

But now that Barry has finally hit 715, can he just go away? Can the media please just quit talking about him, and stop acting like every at bat is must-see TV?

 

[tedginn05]

Bigger parks (Polo Grounds), higher mound (I think this is correct), more starts, less RP = more opps to win... and so on. I doubt anyone will ever come close to Cy Young's 511, or Chesbro's 41. I highly doubt we'll see a lower ERA than 1.04 (Brown) or even 1.12 (Gibson, Modern).

Polo grounds had one of the shortest distances to left I have ever heard of. 250 feet. It was known to be easy to hit a ball out to left. Forget the fact that center was 500 out. Right wasn't very far out either, at 257 feet.

The distances at my HS field are 315 to left and right I think is 315 also.

1923-1957

• Left Field Line - 279 ft. (not posted)
• Left Field Upper Deck Overhang - about 250 ft.
• Shallow Left Center - 315 ft.
• Left Center 1 - 360 ft.
• Left Center 2 - 414 ft.
• Deep Left Center - 447 ft. left of bullpen curve
• Deep Left Center - 455 ft. right of bullpen curve
• Center Field - approx. 425 ft. (unposted) corners of runways
• Center Field - 483 ft. posted on front of clubhouse balcony, sometimes 475 ft.
• Center Field - 505 ft. (unposted) sometimes given as total C.F. distance
• Deep Right Center - 455 ft. left of bullpen curve
• Deep Right Center - 449 ft. right of bullpen curve
• Right Center 2 - 395 ft.
• Right Center 1 - 338 ft.
• Shallow Right Center - 294 ft.
• Right Field Line - 257 ft. 3 3/8 in. (not posted)
• Backstop - 65 ft. sometimes also given as 74 ft.

 

[ScarletBlood31]

What's amazing, is that I was watching that ending of the Tennessee-Michigan women's softball game, when fucking ESPN switches over to the Giants game to show Bond's hit, and I was still more interested in the softball game than I was him hitting the homer.


Michigan lost .

 

[scooter1369]

I was watching the softball game, too. I hate UT, but rather see them win than scUM. At least we'll have a new champ.

Reynolds has become a Bonds apologist. 715 is a big number. Yay. It would be bigger and more significant if half weren't hit by Victor Conti.

 

[NewYorkBuck]

Anyway, no one seems to worry that the house that Ruth built has one of the shortest fences in the majors to left (Dimensions: Left field: 280.58 (1923), 301 (1928), 312 (1976), 318 (1988)) and the Babe was a lefty.

But it seems even less people know that the Babe hit more HR on the road than at home. Couldnt have been that much of an advantage.

 

[The Man]

I am in the vast minority but I like Bonds, I like that he doesn't kiss anyones' asses. I respect his ability and loved him when he played for the Pirates. The steroid issue isn't a huge deal because I believe more pitchers have been suspended than position players (though mostly minor leaguers) and I believe ALOT of players were on it. Some examples, Brady Anderson, McGwire, Clemens, Pudge, Sosa, Sheffield, Giambi (not saying Bonds wasn't). There is a strong possiblity than Bonds will be a Yankee or a Tiger next year. The Yankees will pay more money but my Tigers may have an edge because of the fact that Bonds actually respects Jim Leyland and Leyland has been publicly defending him all year. It will be intersting to see if he even plays in '07, no way he can play in the NL.

 

[Dryden]

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/48895

MLB To Place Asterisk, Pound Sign, Exclamation Point, Letter 'F' Next To Bonds' Name In Record Books

May 25, 2006 | Onion Sports

SAN FRANCISCO— Commissioner Bud Selig announced Wednesday that, once the Giants slugger retires, his name in the official MLB record books will be forever accompanied by an asterisk, followed by a pound sign and exclamation point, all preceded by the letter 'F'—a string of characters that, according to Selig, "will always be associated with Barry Bonds."

"When my children's grandchildren open up their Baseball Almanac a hundred years from now, they'll see this enduring, universally understood symbol right next to Barry's name," Selig said. "And when they do, they'll immediately know that this sequence of characters—F*#!—reflects history's attitude toward not only the conditions under which he was able to hit his home runs, but also the historical implications he had on the game and its records, the relationship he had with the media and fans during his momentous chase, and just the general atmosphere of baseball in an era he will come to embody."

"These symbols say more about Barry Bonds and his contributions to this sport than any mere number ever could," Selig added.

The decision, which Selig characterized as the only way to accurately convey that Barry Bonds hit his 714-plus home runs under "some pretty goddamn special circumstances," is reminiscent of a similar one made in 1961 by then-commissioner Ford Frick. Frick suggested that an asterisk be placed next to Roger Maris' single-season home-run record of 61, an annotation used to explain that Maris hit his home runs over the course of an expanded 162-game season rather than a 154-game season.

According to Selig, the symbol that will be placed next to Bonds' name requires no further explanation.

"When people think of Roger Maris, they immediately think 'asterisk,'" Selig said. "And when people of this and future generations think of Barry Bonds, they will immediately think F*#!"

Most experts, fans, teammates, and those close to the seven-time MVP say that, while Maris was never able to adjust to the stigma of being remembered as a historical footnote, Bonds is already used to constantly hearing the phrase "F*#!" everywhere he goes.

Baseball fans around the country have applauded Selig's decision, with many agreeing that Bonds' accomplishments deserve to be emphasized in such a fashion, and with some even vehemently insisting that his name be accompanied by an even longer string of symbols and letters.

"The first thing I said when I saw Bonds hit No. 714 was, 'Aww, F*#!'" said Oakland resident Roger Jaffe, who was in attendance at the game during which Bonds tied Ruth, and who claims to have heard many fans mutter the exact same thing. "But the more I think about it, there are at least a thousand other variations on it that may be even more appropriate to describe Bonds and his career."

All-time home-run leader Hank Aaron contacted the chairman of the Society for American Baseball Research's records committee, saying that, should Bonds approach his home-run total of 755, he would like "some input as to what appears next to Bonds' name."

"I have been thinking about this for quite some time, and I have upwards of 200 very good suggestions that I think they might like to hear," Aaron said.

Major League Baseball has specified that the 'F'–asterisk–pound sign–exclamation point symbol will only appear next to Bonds' name in the all-time home-run category, with his name in other categories to be accompanied by symbols more fitting for that particular one, including: an "at" symbol, two dollar signs, a pound sign, an asterisk, and Nos. 1 and 3 (@$$#*13) next to his single-season home-run total of 73; two series of five asterisks—the first preceded by the letter 'M' and the second preceded by the letter 'F' (M***** F*****)—next to his single-season slugging-percentage record of .863; and a sequence of letters reading "The bastard used to be pretty goddamn good in his own right without the fucking steroids" next to his eight Gold Glove Awards.

"F*#! Barry Bonds, 714 F*#!^&% home runs," Selig said, reading a line out of the most updated version of this year's record book. "F*#! Barry Bonds."

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

6/9/06

Giants' Bonds sits again with sore side

JANIE McCAULEY

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds' sore left side forced the San Francisco slugger to sit out again Thursday night.
Bonds missed his second straight game as the Giants opened a four-game series against his former club, the Pittsburgh Pirates - though he was hopeful to be back in the lineup soon after letting the injury calm down.
"It's a little better, but not much," Bonds said after removing a wrap of ice from his side. "I don't know yet. I'm still working on it."
Bonds' side began bothering him during a series against the New York Mets last weekend at Shea Stadium, then it became worse Tuesday night and he was examined by two team doctors.
Bonds could still play against the Pirates sometime this weekend.
"That's what the trainer told me, a couple more days," manager Felipe Alou said.
Bonds hoped to be ready to take some light swings in a soft-toss situation Friday.
"Let's get through today first," he said. "It is getting better, not worse."
Bonds, who turns 42 on July 24, said he has not dealt with this kind of injury before. The seven-time NL MVP hit his 715th homer May 28 against Colorado to pass Babe Ruth and move into sole possession of second place on the career list behind Aaron, then homered again Monday night against the Florida Marlins.
Bonds was limited to 14 games in 2005 following three operations on his troublesome right knee.
Also Thursday, Bonds said he doesn't expect to be selected for next month's All-Star game in Pittsburgh. He is batting .250 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 48 games this season. He also has drawn 50 walks, 22 intentional.
"I don't even think I'll be there, realistically," Bonds said of the summer classic. "There are guys playing a lot better than me. We'll see what happens. I'm not going to predict."

 

[NFBuck]

Still an ass.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

6/10/06

FBI seeking to hush Bonds' ex-girlfriend

DAVID KRAVETS

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->SAN FRANCISCO - FBI agents asked Barry Bonds' ex-girlfriend not to cooperate in Major League Baseball's steroid probe while a federal grand jury investigates whether the Giants slugger lied under oath about drug use.
Attorney Martin Garbus said Friday that agents asked Kimberly Bell not to assist former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell in the independent investigation he is heading.
"I would say they want to protect their own prosecution," Garbus said. "The consequence is, yes, they are impeding the Mitchell investigation."
The FBI declined to comment Friday and Mitchell did not immediately return calls for comment.
Garbus said Mitchell wrote him May 31 and demanded "that Ms. Bell cooperate with my independent investigation of alleged steroid and performance-enhancing drug use in major league baseball."
Bonds would be entitled to learn whatever the former girlfriend tells Mitchell, Garbus said. If that information conflicts with what she told federal authorities, Bonds could use it to undermine her credibility in court.
"She might say something that the feds would rather her not," Garbus said.
Garbus said he was mulling whether to keep his client mum or comply with Mitchell's demand.
Bonds' lawyer, Michael Rains, also speculated agents want to keep Bell from talking to Mitchell because she could hinder their case with inconsistent answers.
"Maybe they realize when Kim Bell starts answering questions, it's gonna become clear that she first tried to extort Barry for money, that she changed her stories about various things and has changed it since then and will change it again," Rains said.
Rains said Bell allegedly "heard Barry talk about using things, noticed he had acne and was subject to mood swings." Acne and mood swings can be side effects of steroid use.
Rains said it was unlikely Bonds, who is second on the career home run list, would cooperate with Mitchell while a federal grand jury perjury probe continues, because federal agents could use those responses against him.
"I'm not frankly wanting to cooperate with the federal government these days," Rains said. "If his statement can be insulated from federal grand jury proceedings, I'd consider it. I don't think there is any way to do that."
Meanwhile, federal authorities are turning up the heat against athletes suspected of using or dealing in performance-enhancing drugs.
Agents searched the Scottsdale, Ariz., house of Diamondbacks reliever Jason Grimsley on Tuesday for human growth hormone, steroids and amphetamines. Arizona quickly released him from the team.
Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee, said Friday that he was considering calling a hearing on the use of human growth hormone in sports.
The drug prescribed to spur growth in small children and help adults with pituitary problems is used illegally by athletes to boost energy and strength and can't be detected by baseball's urine tests.
"Once again we learn of the use of performance-enhancing drugs in major league baseball and the failure of MLB to rid the sport of drugs," Stearns said.
The Grimsley search underscored a shift to target athletes in the probe instead of suppliers and chemists.
Yet the nationwide probe that focused on a San Francisco-area drug lab is not over, said U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan. Five Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative defendants have pleaded guilty to distributing or developing steroids, some of which were undetectable in drug tests.
Bonds is being investigated for allegedly lying about whether he used the performance-enhancing drug known as "the clear" during 2003 grand jury proceedings that led to the indictment of BALCO's president, Bonds' personal trainer and others. Bonds said he thought he was using flaxseed oil.
After the BALCO investigation, baseball toughened its performance-enhancing drug testing, which now includes tests for amphetamines but not human growth hormone, which only can be detected through blood tests.
In the aftermath, baseball commissioner Bud Selig brought in Mitchell to look into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

6/15/06

Bonds hits 717th home run

Associated Press

<!-- begin body-content -->PHOENIX - Barry Bonds hit his 717th home run Wednesday night, a drive to right field off Arizona reliever Jose Valverde in the ninth inning of the San Francisco Giants' game against the Diamondbacks.
The three-run shot came on a 3-2 pitch and was Bonds' first homer since June 5.
Bonds narrowly missed a homer in the fifth, hammering Claudio Vargas' pitch a few feet below the top of the 25-foot wall in center field. Bonds was held to a single.
Bonds passed Babe Ruth and moved into second on the homer list with No. 715 on May 28.
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