#755

You know you are getting old when you begin a piece "In the old days..", "Back when.." or "In my time...."

Back when...in 1974 specifically, Hank Aaron mesmerized the world and broke Babe Ruth's home run record. It was front page news, everyone talked about it, the event was carried live on TV or at best broadcast as bulletin. It was classy. It was a moment. I was at a minor league ball park when it happened and was announced. Everyone cheered, the game stopped. Even the players rejoiced.

Now Aaron's record is about to be broken, it was tied actually, and it seems few cares.

It happened last night, and there were some cheers. But according to reports, 2 minutes later the next batter was up.

Sports has changed. I used to follow baseball religiously. Now I do not care. High paid thugs, spoiled brats, homophobic, racist, sexist pigs, arrogant.. not a role model for anyone. It is a sign of the time that you have to look at page 8 of the sports section to see who won, the first 7 are about who is in rehab, who is making billion dollar deals or who is not showing up because they didn't like the color of the limousine that came to pick them up.

Barry Bonds, who will soon have more home runs than Aaron, is embroiled in controversy. He is fighting a futile battle to retain any sense of a positive legacy, stemming from the widespread belief that he was a steroid user while earning the National League's Most Valuable Player award multiple times and chasing Aaron's record. Look at the "congratulation" statement made by the Commissioner of Baseball (don't get me started on that clown) :

"No matter what anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds' achievement is noteworthy and remarkable. As I said previously, out of respect for the tradition of the game, the magnitude of the record and the fact all citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty, either I or a representative of my office will attend the next few games and make every attempt to observe the breaking of the all-time home run record."

Surprising to me, even Hank Aaron is staying low key and has all but said he does not consider Bond's legitimate. He likely will not be in attendance at any of the games.

Bonds brought it on himself. We all know steroids were used, look at the dope scandal plagued bike racing world, and continue to be used. Bonds had help to break the record. Ruth and Aaron did it on their own muscle, ability and willpower.

Like athletes worthy of respect should.