Dear Barry,
Back in 1989, when I was just a young kid, you came into this league, captured my imagination, played the game unlike anyone I'd ever seen in my young lifespan, and became my hero.
Being your biggest supporter and fan is not always easy, but I can swear up and down - without a moment's hesitation - that I wouldn't rather it be anybody else.
For all the memories - and all 756 home runs. For being my hero on the baseball diamond. For helping to make me the sports fan I am today.
Thank you. It's been a hell of a fun ride.
--PB--
0 recs | 31 comments
Who's the skinny guy in the Pirates uni?
the other Andrew - August 7, 2007
BEFORE AND AFTER SHOTS....
yea....
thc will do that to ya
ut fan in ok - August 7, 2007
i meant it as a
joke, i stood and applauded probably just like everyone else did when he hit the homerun, i like how he just stood there and threw his arms up.... they will be showing that for years and years to come....
ut fan in ok - August 8, 2007
rofl @ who's the skinny guy
everybody has to have their heroes. one of my first memories of bonds is seeing how good a player he was...probably 1990-1992 sometime. the second was watching a clip of (pirates) Bonds on Sportscenter. 1st they show some guy crack a deep fly ball. Bonds, thinking it's out of the park, stands still and watches it bounce off the wall onto the warning track, then races to make the play. 2nd, the same game, he blasts a deep shot....stops to admire it....while it bounces off the wall onto the warning track....he then gets thrown out at 1st (i'm not sure that's true, btw, cant remember...but it was bad enough for me to dislike him more than karl malone {i'm a Spurs fan})
either way, congrats on the record. only a select few people in this world will ever know if he did it cleanly (steroid-free), but his biggest life question will be if he can look in the mirror and be proud of himself. like all of us, an earned self satisfaction is plenty to feel that we've lived an honest life.
bleed burnt orange - August 7, 2007
Appreciate that
But you gotta realize, too, that this is more than all That Stuff to me. You don't always choose your heroes. Sometimes, they just happen to you.
If sports fandom were totally rational, we wouldn't all be such irrational motherf-ckers about it all.
Peter Bean - August 7, 2007
ROFL
Cyrus - August 8, 2007
i'm all for the contrarian affectations....
but this is fucking disgusting.
cortexas - August 7, 2007
Man
This post made me so angry, I almost went into Roid Rage!
The fact that Bonds is the new home run leader makes me want to vomit.
Sorry PB, I am with you most of the time, but damn....
SwimTexas - August 7, 2007
Personal message to PB
I spent the first 7 years of my life in Austin and moved to Northern California when my dad switched jobs. Since that age I have been watching the Giants, although that since the '04 season I haven't kept such a die-hard attitude about them, but my admiration for Barry and his accomplishments has never faltered. I too share similar sentiments regarding Barry. All allegations aside, they mean nothing and there is no concrete evidence, therefore no asterisk can be placed.
Congratulations to Barry and a whole-hearted thanks for being such an inspiration and motivational figure for my baseball career.
mvplonghorns - August 7, 2007
The Champ
For starters, Barry was a Hall of Famer before the steroids so let's move past that. He's the best player of this generation and it's impossible to argue beyond that. He's done things no one else has ever done and it's an amazing accomplishment. I congratulate him, and you PB, for his achievement. I'm also glad it's over with, for everyone involved.
Don't drink too much tonight. OK?
jebushchrist - August 8, 2007
I owe you a (several) drinks
Thanks, JHC
Peter Bean - August 8, 2007
so what?
Best player of generation! Not that many question that, but that's not the point. The point is he is a jerk/cheat, so I can not celebrate his accomplishments.
Cyrus - August 8, 2007
Leave it be dude
Not tonight man.
Peter Bean - August 8, 2007
Whoops
Sorry, PB. I couldn't let it go. Not tonight.
jebushchrist - August 8, 2007
OK :)
congratulations to him and all his fans including you.
Cyrus - August 8, 2007
Really?
So is it the fact that he doesn't kiss the ass of reporters and teammates that you don't like or the fact that he cheated in a game that endorses cheating? If you threw out all the jerks and cheaters in baseball there wouldn't be a game. You'd have to burn the Hall of Fame to the ground too. You simply can't stand on moral high ground when talking about baseball. Sorry.
He's the champ. Period.
jebushchrist - August 8, 2007
barf
A little bit of my soul just died. I will say, though, that I'm not more disgusted with Barry than I am with the MLB in general. To me, Barry just represents what the MLB has represented in recent years.
hornbone - August 8, 2007
honor
do whatever it takes. the mantra of our culture.
Jackass04 - August 8, 2007
Pft......Please.
I am so tired of hearing people say how "sick" they are, or how this makes them want to "vomit". Please, do you really care that much? No, you don't, stop being so dramatic.
I am not "sick" or about to "vomit" but I am irritated. About Barry Bonds' 756th or steroids? No. Irritated that this seems to have been the one place I could go where I could read about the only sports that really matter (to me anyway), Longhorn sports, and not be bombarded with the Barry Bonds talk. If I hear the phrase, "Most hallowed record in all of sport" one more time, I won't "vomit", but I might spit.
Damnit, I guess I'll just have to http://icanhascheezburger.com/ until all this blows over.
One thing I really like from the highlight, is how Barry almost completely snubs his own son at home plate. It's almost like he is not even there. He gets to home plate, his son runs up and hugs him. Does Barry hug back? Hah, no, he points to the sky, then goes over to his teammates. Seriously, watch the video.
Can we move on now?
16thLonghorn - August 8, 2007
Unbeliever
Roger Maris and Hank Aaron are still number one in my book. Any records after that are tainted by dope and the "athletes" who use drugs to enhance their performance.
ddavis - August 8, 2007
bonds
Last night I arrived at the store to pick up some Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla when the radio station I was listening to in the car went to the live call of Bonds' at-bat.
Faced with the decision to either listen to a possible historical moment or get my half-gallon tub of ice cream, I chose the ice cream.
Congrats.
Jason Mayer - August 8, 2007
Congrats to you...
...you are the TRUE champion.
16thLonghorn - August 8, 2007
I aim high
Jason Mayer - August 8, 2007
PB, I don't get it.
When it comes to player discipline, honor, rules and the like, you seem to typically have great perspective. Here you are with a blog dedicated to the Horns ... and you rarely if ever fall into the typical fan traps. You don't make excuses for Horn players' bad behaviors, and you hold Mack's feet to the fire.
Yet with Bonds, you have this bizarre hero worship thing going on. You hold him to a lesser standard than a bunch of 18-year-old kids wearing orange.
You said, "You don't always choose your heroes. Sometimes they just happen to you." That is, as you said, irrational. And also juvenile. I love VY, but if he were caught up in criminal activity ala Michael Vick, you can bet he wouldn't be a sports hero to me any more.
Far as I'm concerned, Bonds didn't break any record. Cause he cheated and lied about it, plain and simple. I don't care if MLB turns a blind eye, or "everybody does it." True heroes hold themselves to high standards. Clearly, this guy does not.
EddieTheAlbinoSquirrel - August 8, 2007
He's the best player of this generation?
Rocket's the best player of this generation. If you want to say "hitter" for bonds, that's fine, since he quite possibly could be. If you want to say player, it's Rocket, end of story, move to close discussions... Second!
60atMLB - August 8, 2007
Somehow I knew
that PB would have a post about this. Grats to you PB. It is always nice to celebrate your childhood heroes. I wish that I could find something in this record to be proud of.
Brandon 97 - August 8, 2007
My hero will always be Mickey Mantle
He also had some personal failings, but he inspired a generation with his play. If I were a kid today, I'm sure Bonds would be my guy. Bravo!
A question for those upset about the steroids: what is your opinion on Lasik surgery?
Caradoc - August 8, 2007
I would like to salute my hero
Craig Biggio. Everything you always want in a man and an athlete. I'm not ragging on anyone else, but his 3000 means more (to me of course) than Bonds or Glavine hitting their marks.
But I'm not gonna take anything away from PB since it is HIS blog and he does provide me with my daily Longhorns fix.
UT2001 - August 8, 2007
My hero
is and has always been Egg Shen. I'm willing to look past the tax evasion, drinking problem, and possible dementia because he stopped that God damn Lo-Pan from destroying all of Chinatown. I'll take him warts and all.
Question: Can heros be unchosen? Because I think they can.
Red Blooded @ Burnt Orange Nation - August 8, 2007
It will come out NO MORE!!!
If only I could get a daily Big Trouble in Little China fix, thank you for that!
16thLonghorn - August 8, 2007
Bonds' record won't stand
He'll most likely retire after this season, but hot on his tail is Alex Rodriguez, who just became the youngest player to ever hit 500 HR. Behind him is Pujols, who could also take a run at it, assuming he's really 27 and not 35 like he looks.
So, even if you think Bonds cheated, don't worry. His record will be broken. Let him have his moment until we start all this hype over again in seven or eight years.
chief - August 8, 2007
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