LEFT SPORTS REVIEW
There is a New Home Run King
My favorite baseball player of all time is Hank Aaron. Maybe it is because of the fond memories I have of my dad taking me to see him play at Milwaukee County Stadium. Maybe it is because of all the nice things he said about my home state of Wisconsin and its people. Maybe it is because of all he had to endure as an African American minor league ballplayer breaking the color barrier in the Sally League.
In some circles, it’s in vogue to use Aaron to criticize Barry Bonds. They say, “Aaron quietly went about his business.” But this is not true! While Aaron did not have the charisma of Bonds, his shyness did not stop him from speaking out against racism. He was among the first to point out how caucasian baseball was off the field. He was among those who embarrassed baseball into hiring Black and Latino managers and front office staff. Maybe that is why he is my favorite.
But now Barry is the home run king. Bonds is clearly the best offensive player of his era. Besides home runs Bonds has stolen 514 bases, hit 599 doubles, 77 triples and won eight Gold Gloves. He has been an all-star 14 times and has been elected the National League most valuable player seven times. Because of all this he is rightfully feared by pitchers who have walked him a record shattering 2541 times. And his career is still not over.
So why don’t they love the new king? Let us remember that when Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record he did not enjoy everyone’s love. Aaron received death threats and bags of bigoted hate mail from those who were offended that a black man would dare to break Ruth’s record.
Unlike many modern-day athletes, Bonds never sought nor has he received huge paid commercial endorsements. He either spoke his mind to the media or just told them to go jump. While he is willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, he has been less understanding to the media. He doesn’t seem to care about his image. As the son of major league ball player Bobby Bonds, he grew up in a baseball atmosphere and knows exactly what he is doing.
So the media resent him. They have decided unfairly to focus their anger about steroids in baseball on him. But why him? Is it because Bonds has not been afraid to speak freely about the racism of sports media? From Don Imus to ESPN they are all so wounded by Bonds harsh words.
I think it bothers some that they can’t hurt him because he doesn’t need them for endorsement money and doesn’t care what they say or write. Bonds is a proud black man that speaks his mind.
And you know what? He has hit more major league home runs than anyone. Long live the king!
Left Sports Review is being circulated electronically by Fight Back News Service. For now it will appear monthly. We welcome your comments at leftsportsreview@yahoo.com
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