Barry Bonds comes to town tonight and the circus is not far behind. But like everything with three rings, booing or cheering baseball’s home run king is complicated.
Heckle the San Francisco Giants outfielder because he’s a jerk. However, this hating over the steroids issue should stop. Bonds hasn’t been indicted and our society often gives the benefit of the doubt even if the “Game of Shadows” book is pretty indicting.
Save your booing for Michael Vick. He pleaded guilty to a crime. You may have to wait a few years before Vick returns to the NFL, but he assuredly will. Given Vick will have then paid his debt to society, I have no problem with him making a living.
Bonds is clean so far despite plenty of leaked grand jury testimony. If the district attorney can’t create any type of charge after years of investigation, then it’s time to move on. If we stoned everyone accused of anything, there wouldn’t be anyone left to throw the final rock.
The reason to go to RFK Stadium for three Nationals games through Sunday is to see the greatest home run hitter ever for perhaps the final time in Washington. If Bonds wants to play another year, it’s probably happening in the American League as a designated hitter. That means heading to Baltimore when Bonds comes to Charm City.
Wouldn’t you want to see Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron take a few last swings this weekend? Bonds now has their record so here’s your chance to see someone you’ll still talk about decades from now. Your kids and grandkids will one day ask what Bonds was like and after biting your lip you’ll talk of his great home runs.
Go early for batting practice because that’s when the rockets head to the upper deck. Catch one of those and you’ll take it home instead of throwing it back on the field no matter what you say right now. Somehow, that ball will transport you back to your childhood. That’s what the game does best.
Bonds once responded to fans booing him by saying flashbulbs still pop throughout the stands when he comes to bat. That’s actually well put. People love to hate Bonds. Maybe there are good reasons, but they should be for something more than steroid accusations.
At least Bonds wasn’t part of the clown act during the congressional steroid investigation. Rafael Palmeiro point blank lied when saying he didn’t use steroids only to test positive months later. Mark McGwuire wouldn’t say anything to avoid lying. Sammy Sosa pulled a Chico Escuela before the Congressional committee to feign innocence.
Four of the greater home run hitters of the past decade are tainted, but it really won’t matter over time. We’ll mostly remember those home runs.
Maybe Bonds will hit one to the white seat in dead center where Frank Howard once reached using natural manpower. Now that would be something to cheer.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
