It should be a celebratory New York moment worthy of a sincere standing ovation with sincere appreciative applause: the arrival at Shea Stadium today of a baseball player who has hit more home runs than Babe Ruth, and who is now chasing Hank Aaron's gold-record 755.
But it won't be.
Barry Bonds' presence in a ballpark in the city where the Babe hit 344 of his 714 homers is expected to incite more boos than cheers, as well as inspire the Shea loyalists' answers to the creative-writing challenge from the Philadelphia philosophers who greeted Bonds last month with a banner:
"Ruth Did It on Hot Dogs and Beer. Aaron Did It with Class. How Did YOU Do It?"
According to Bonds, he did it on what he innocently assumed were flaxseed oil and an arthritic balm rather than -- perish the thought -- the steroids known as the clear and the cream, according to his 2003 grand jury testimony, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. If that was believable, why is a federal grand jury investigating whether Bonds committed perjury?
And why is it that to many, if not most, baseball fans, Bonds is more of a villain than a hero?
Over the years, New York baseball fans have always adored the best of the best in every sport. Hank Aaron, then with the Atlanta Braves, was applauded at Shea in 1974 after surpassing the Babe's total. If Willie Mays had done it after spending most of his career as a Giant, New Yorkers would have welcomed him as one of their own for having spent several seasons at the Polo Grounds before the Giants franchise moved to San Francisco.
If such out-of-town sluggers as Ted Williams or Frank Robinson or Stan Musial had hit more home runs than the Babe, they would have been properly saluted here. But wherever Bonds has appeared outside San Francisco this season, he has mostly provoked resentment.
In San Diego, a syringe was thrown onto the left-field grass near him. In Los Angeles, more syringes appeared. In addition to the banner in Philadelphia, fans there chanted, "Just retire!" In Houston two weeks ago, the right-hander Russ Springer apparently tried to hit him with four inside pitches, then bounced the fifth pitch off his shoulder. When ejected, Springer received a standing ovation; he also received a four-game suspension.
During the Giants' only Shea Stadium visit this season -- Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon -- be assured that some, if not several, fans will be trying to play "Can you top this?"
The Mets were not about to announce that their security detail will be larger than usual, but it will be, especially in the left-field precinct. If Bonds plays. After hitting his 715th home run Sunday in San Francisco, he was not in the lineup - and didn't even pinch-hit -- Tuesday night or Wednesday night in Florida because of what was described as a bad back that suddenly accompanied his usual knee and elbow ailments.
Tendon by tendon, Bonds, who will be 42 on July 24, keeps breaking down physically. But unless he hits 48 homers this season (he has only seven so far), he will need to play next season if he is to break Aaron's record.
With all his ailments, it's unlikely that Bonds, who is making US$19.3 million this season, would want -- or be able -- to stay in the Giants' lineup as their everyday left fielder. Peter Magowan, the Giants' owner, has already allowed that it would be somewhat easier for Bonds next season if he were a designated hitter with an American League team.
That wouldn't tarnish Bonds' eventual total. Of Aaron's 755 homers, his last 22 were hit as a designated hitter in 1975 and 1976 with the Milwaukee Brewers, then in the American League.
When Bonds talks to reporters before tonight's game, look for him to be asked if he would be interested in such career-ending AL destinations, such as with the Yankees.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping