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(Bonds rookie playing card.)
Barry Bonds tied Hank Aaron's career home run record last night and the silence is deafening.
What a strange event. Most claim that the career home run mark is the "ultimate" sports record. They may be right. I remember as a kid sitting in front of the television set to watch Hank Aaron break Babe Ruth's record (in 1974). It was magical. I was fascinated by all the hype (and the two fans that ran out of the stands to slap Aaron on the back between second and third base.)
But no care about Bonds tying Aaron's record even though 33 years have passed since the home run record was tied. Why? Two reasons. Everyone believes Bonds has used steroids - the closest proof was leaked grand jury testimony that Bond believes he unknowingly used steroids. Secondly, the guy is a world class jerk. Several years back he made an appearance at the Ballpark in Arlington and The Ticket's Corby Davidson tried to interview him before the game. Bonds response was, "You must not be familiar with my policy." Davidson inquired "What policy." Bonds replied, "You must not be familiar with my policy." (The "policy" was that he wouldn't speak to the press before games.)
Most believe that Alex Rodriguez will be the next person to break Bonds records. I hope so.