A "Thorne" in Barry's Side

This article http://www.callofthegame.com/bbs/index.php?showtopic=3447 written by one of the greatest play by play announcers of our generation, Mr. Gary Thorne provides some surprising insight from a public figure who openly criticizes Major League Baseball and the future Home Run King, Barry Bonds.

What is so shocking to me in this article is that Gary Thorne, a guy who is very exciting, very well liked amongst his peers and seems to be well respected by players and managers alike, goes out of his way to bury, well…Barry.

As fans we have the right to hate what Bonds has done with the cream and the clear and anything else that will never go un-noticed in the court of public opinion. Forget the fact that he’s one of the greatest players of this generation, he’s never going to be perceived as the likeable figure whom Major League Baseball wants to hold the title of Homerun King.

For that reason, Bud Selig and Hank Aaron have yet to decide if they’ll be in attendance when Bonds breaks that record this summer. That alone still speaks volumes of the accomplishment, just how sweet it will be for Bonds, and how bitter the rest of us will be when he breaks it.

It was easy to fall in love with Big Mac and Slammin’ Sammy back in the summer of 1998 when they brought baseball back, drawing it closer to the NFL at the top of Sports in American Enterprise. They were likeable guys, easy to identify with, seemed very open and at the time we thought they were clean.

Bonds likes to blame the media for everything. He doesn’t care that nobody likes him, and at 41, still limping after every fly ball hit his way, he’s hanging on just long enough so he can get that homerun record, and give the rest of us a middle finger salute, as he trots away with history.

This article by Gary Thorne, who I think is one of the best, clearly displays what we are all thinking and hoping. Yet Thorne, like the rest of us, knows that this moment is like that of the last meal for an inmate doing time on death row. You know the worst is coming, and as much as you try to ignore it, there is no denying that it’s on the way.

In this particular sport, there have been several reasons for discontent over the years, especially if you are a Royals fan, a Pirates fan, or a Colorado Rockies fan. At the beginning of each year, because of the way Spring Training is hyped, and perceived, you are fooled into believing that you have a chance.

And even though different teams are beginning to compete and win titles, there are some serious problems that are coming to the surface. This is a sport that is SAVED by tradition. A tradition that still lives a healthy life from year to year, but it no longer parties like a rockstar and gets up the next morning without feeling any effects.

The fact of the matter is this, as my basement buddy Ryan mentioned earlier, this sport is sliding. His problem finding a spot on an outdoor court on the first great day in a long time speaks volumes. Kids no longer go out of their way to head to baseball diamonds on the first day that feels like spring. When I was a kid that was the first thing we did. However, that certainly isn’t the case anymore.

What I’m trying to say is this. If we can’t enjoy Bonds breaking the homerun record this year, then I think the fans’ discontent goes beyond his alleged use of steroids, HGH, and their overall hatred for him.

This sport, the one I have earned a great deal of respect for, after working in it for the last five years, is in trouble. As I mentioned earlier, its no longer partying like a rock star, but at the same time, its not wearing a night gown, bracing itself with a walker that has an oxygen tank attached to it while it walks down the driveway every so steadily to get the mail every morning.

This sport has some life left, but it’s certainly moving in a direction it doesn’t want to go. Perhaps it’s at the stage now where the kids are grown up and in college, allowing it to purchase that Escalade or Bentley during the mid-life crisis with retirement at arms length.

Do this for me, instead of looking at this as the summer of discontent, try to enjoy the finer things about it. Realize that even though you hate Barry Bonds and think he’s a cheater, he’s going to break the Homerun Record and YOU will be able to tell the next generation what the baby boomers told all of you about Hank Aaron breaking the record 30 years ago.

If that’s not enough, understand that Alex Rodriguez has a VERY good chance at breaking the record in another 10 years. If ever there were a player who’s homerun numbers rival that of Hank Aaron’s, it’s A-Rod because of his consistency.

If that’s not enough because you perceive him to be the enemy since he makes too much money and can’t hit a lick in the post season, then why not get excited about a guy like Ryan Howard. A hard hitting left hander who is out to a tremendous start in his career. Not only a guy that hits homeruns, but a guy that hits tape-measure shots, much like McGwire back in his day.

If you don’t think its worth it to follow Howard because he’ll end up just like Cecil Fielder back in the late 80’s and early 90’s as a big guy who hit bombs for a few years then faded into oblivion, then I can’t help you, you’ve already made up your mind. Discontent can be dangerous, and contagious.