"In all fairness to everybody, I just don't see how you really can do a thing like that and just say somebody isn't the record holder anymore, and let's go back to the way that it was,"
Why can't we? Above is a quote from Hank Aaron, he is discussing the possibility of Barry Bonds home run record being revoked, which would make Aaron the home run champ once again.
In a baseball era that has become overrun with steroids and cheating performers, it has almost become the "norm" for a players name to be connected to steroid use. One of such player's is slugger Barry Bonds.
Bonds made his first MLB appearance in 1986 as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was with Pittsburgh where Barry made a name for himself, not so much for his ability to pound the ball out of the stadium but as an all around talented player.
When the Balco disaster arose speculation began that Bonds had used performance-enhancing drugs during a time when there was no mandatory testing. In an effort to save face, Bonds declared his innocence. Refuting that his body change was accredited to steroids, but to an increased strict regimen of bodybuilding, diet and legitimate supplements.
April 8th, 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia Hank Aaron destroyed a pitch from Dodger Al Downing to pass Babe Ruth as the all time home run leader. Aaron did so in manner that was more then proffesional.
In a time where players had more to think about then using steroids, Aaron had his own media circus to deal with. From love mail to death threats, to bigtory and racism, Aaron had more then his hands full in his hunt to hold the record.
When Bonds beat Aaron's record, Aaron appeared on the jumboscreen at AT&T park and offrered these words for the new home run leader.
"I would like to offer my congratulations to Barry Bonds on becoming baseball's career home run leader. It is a great accomplishment which required skill, longevity, and determination. Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball and I have been privileged to hold this record for 33 of those years. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historical achievement. My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams."
Aaron is more then a class act and deserves recognition for a record he achieved in a much different era then today. Bonds deserves more respect then what he is accredited, whether or not he cheated, he had the ability to play proffesional baseball and be one of the best in the game.
Its up for you to decide who is the real home run champ.
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