Bud Selig wasn't at the Giants' game last night, but he has made a statement about the new record: "I congratulate Barry Bonds for establishing a new career home run record. Barry's achievement is noteworthy and remarkable.Selig dropped the ball with his actions after Bonds tied Hank Aaron, and he did it again now that Bonds has the record to himself. For one, there's the fact that he didn't attend the game in person ... but instead was on the other side of the country meeting with George Mitchell about Mitchell's
"After Barry came out of the game, I congratulated him by telephone and had MLB executive vice president Jimmie Lee Solomon and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson -- both of whom were at the game and witnessed the record-breaking home run -- meet with him on my behalf. While the issues which have swirled around this record will continue to work themselves toward resolution, today is a day for congratulations on a truly remarkable achievement."
Honestly, I can't think of a more passive-aggressive way to try making some kind of point while weaseling out of doing it in person. As I've said before, this is your mess, Bud -- it's the least you can do to own up to it and watch history unfold.
As for the press release itself, I'm confused. Hank Aaron's statement was touching, but Selig's was simply self-serving. After Selig caught heat over the weekend for failing to meet with or even call Bonds after Bonds tied the record, he's obviously trying to head off additional controversy by pointing out the fact that he did in fact reach out to Bonds now. Unfortunately, he did so in such a blatant manner that the sentiment is completely lost.
And what exactly does the last sentence even mean? How will there be resolution? If it turns out Bonds' record is tainted, will Selig actually do something about it and erase his name from the record books? Attach an asterisk next to Bonds' name? Or simply punish future offenders so severely that he might (in a round-about way) ensure that Bonds' record lasts for all of eternity? Yeah, that's what I thought. Some resolution.
More on Barry Bonds' Big Night:
Hank Aaron Leaves Video Tribute, Was Likely Asleep When Bonds Hit No. 756
Barry Bonds' Speech Post-756
Barry Bonds Magic Home Run Ball Caught by ... a Mets Fan?
Mike Bacsik Was Not Afraid of History
Coming to Grips With Home Run King Barry
Barry Bonds, Cheater, Deserves Your Praise
A King Is Born: 756 for Barry Bonds
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. I wonder what the new candy bar will look like? I think that we should do justice by mister bonds and name a new candy bar after him like the baby ruth was named after babe ruth, and o henry was named after hank aaron. I hope they call it the barry bar.
It should be a good long piece of almond joy about 6 inches long. That would be my choice.
Posted at 5:55AM on Aug 8th 2007 by tom goeb
2. Bud's actions speak louder than words. Tainted record. Sorry barry you are not the real deal. You let the fans and family down and then lied about it. You and OJ should go golfing together and maybe right a book together in the club house afterwards. A good name might be LOSERS..........Hank Aaron should not have to share the same page of the record book with this worthless piece of sxxx.
Posted at 7:23AM on Aug 8th 2007 by Mike Mccarthy
3. He is in the same catagory as OJ. LOSER and a liar. Bud's actions speak louder than words. He is on the other side of the country trying to find out the truth about the cream. Biggest record ever and he is not there. Thanks Bug for not recognizing the cheater and liar. We love you Hank Aaron. Sorry you will be on the same page as this worthless individual. You really do deserve better.....
Posted at 7:24AM on Aug 8th 2007 by Mike Mccarthy
4. Selig did try to be there when Bonds was trying to tie and break the record. He deserves neither praise nor condemnation for not being there. You can't expect the Commissioner to be watching every single Giants game in person until Bonds does it, can you? All indications were that it would take a while before Barry hit another one (he doesn't hit them THAT often anymore) so why should Selig feel responsible for keep showing up at games where Bonds does NOTHING. I mean if he were hitting them every other day (like when going for the single-season home run record) but the guy has been going entire series without hitting them and keeps taking days off to "rest."
Posted at 7:48AM on Aug 8th 2007 by Mingmei Wu
5. Baseball is no longer a sport but big business. All that matters is attendance, TV ads and salaries to the players. Shame on Mr. Selig and the player's union for turning their backs on the steroid issue. I gave up on baseball long ago so Bond's record means nothing to me. And as for the new record, i salute the STEROID king.
Posted at 8:13AM on Aug 8th 2007 by Anthony
6. Hmm? The true HOME RUN KING has never been crowned by the league. That's right JOSH GIBSON, with at least 800 home runs, not counted due to segregation in baseball at the time. WHY?...... But at the same time Babe Ruth's were counted during the same segregated time period. WHY?......
But under the current system BONDS is still the current KING.
Posted at 8:29AM on Aug 8th 2007 by DeLance Crockett
7. Bud's statement just needed to be the first sentence. Any more just detracted from his congratulations. What a weasel. Bonds has played 22 years, chemical enhancements or not. This is like your boss saying congrats on working with the company for 20 years but I think you are still a schmuck.
Posted at 9:52AM on Aug 8th 2007 by Jordi
8. Hank Aaron is home run king as far as i see it,He didn't need HELP,did it naturally.Shame the way a great sport has become a business.Go watch little leaguers play to get the real thing.
Posted at 9:52AM on Aug 8th 2007 by bill
9. barry bonds is afraud.in track in field if you get caught with steroids,your banned immediately.he should also have been removed from the field.his record should not hold it was just a bussiness baseball decision not to do anything because its america's passtime.and we all know willie mays is a bullshit person off the field.2losers.
Posted at 10:02AM on Aug 8th 2007 by al pezzullo
10. Now that he's called it a truly remarkable achievement, it's not likely that he's going to try to take it away, and yet he seems to be alluding to the possibility of a federal perjury indictment against Bonds. It's possible that what Bud Selig would consider a "resolution" would be for Barry Bonds to publicly confess that he knowingly used steroids. I think an indictment for perjury would be a really bad mistake.
Posted at 10:11AM on Aug 8th 2007 by floridian
11. Bud Selig is a total prick! No class!
Posted at 10:22AM on Aug 8th 2007 by amart7
12. Yes, Barry Bonds is arrogant but how do we know Hank Aaron did not do steroids or even Babe Ruth or any of the other guys? I think if Barry would not have had such a I am Perfect attitude, maybe people would be more responsive with a positive feeling.
Posted at 10:25AM on Aug 8th 2007 by diane
13. It's the ultimate example of 'hudspa' for those vitriolic media windbags to vent their spleen on Barry Bonds and his amazing baseball accomplishment, in all area's of media coverage this memorable day. Barry vents his 'pique' from time to time about the treatment he gets from these so called media experts, but he shows much more restraint than most 'homo sapiens' would do in similar circumstances. No take off your glove and extend your middle finger towards those unelected judges who dare diminish your amazing accomplishment. 'On ya' Barry! Danny
Posted at 10:37AM on Aug 8th 2007 by Danny
14. I bet all of Selig's bud's at his restricted country club gave him a big hip hip for his public display of pocket pool. A mere polite clap would have sufficed. What an A'hole.
Posted at 11:31AM on Aug 8th 2007 by Pete
15. "Classless Bud" Another attorney who, without any evidence, wants someone to be guilty before the trial. Bonds has always been a home run hitter! Drugs do not enhance, eye to hand to ball coordination. So people can believe whatever they want, but BB is the "home run king" of all time, until....A-Rod??
Posted at 11:44AM on Aug 8th 2007 by J Bradley
16. Bonds is the King? Give me a break! All he is is the King of Hypocriscy!!! He's a liar and a cheat, and an embarassment to REAL sportsmanship. Oh, and it's not legit as some say because most of the pitchers also dope. You don't compare him to the rest of the cheats out there! You compare him to Hank and Babe...you compare him to those who set the records without cheating! How can you actually stand before us and claim to be the King of anything? You should be ashamed of yourself...but that would require a conscience and a bit of morality! Get lost...
Posted at 11:46AM on Aug 8th 2007 by turpsd
17. Bud Selig is clearly "non-compos-mentus" in skirting the drug issue by panegyrizing Barry Bonds, cloudng any efforts by Goerge Mitchell to mark Bonds as the cheat that he is and drum him out of our national game! His nomer "Bud" is as nondescript as his lackluster, whimpy personality in even recognizing the drug-abusing Bonds...mocking the national passtime and making baseball stink! Selig's formal, public delivery of commendation creates a false euphoric feling that all's right with baseball and create a feeling of well-being and happiness. Baloney. Selig, Bonds and basball stink! All three should GO, dumping Bonds & Selig while closing the parks (sewerss of drug abuse)of a game which should never again enjoy the loyal ardor of our kids! Clean up baseball! As Leo Derocher elequently said: "Trow da bums OUT!"
Posted at 11:53AM on Aug 8th 2007 by eurosport tours
18. I find myself more offended by Selig's craven posturing than anything Bonds has been accused of.
Selig was in charge of the league during the entire steroid scandal and he did absolutely nothing.
And he still does nothing today. Hands in pocket to appease one group, a phone call to Bonds to appease the other.
Stand as far as you want from Bonds, Mr. Selig, but I suggest you take a look down. Notice something? You're up to your neck in the same sludge.
Posted at 11:57AM on Aug 8th 2007 by Panger
19. Hey Tom, the Baby Ruth bar was named after a president's daughter...not Babe Ruth. However, there was a Reggie Bar (Reggie Jackson), and a Bernie bar (Bernie Kozar), and Flutie Flakes (Doug Flutie)named after athletes. Though never admitted, Yogi Bear, of cartoon fame, probably received his name after Yogi Berra. Us oldsters even remember Billie Beer (after president Carter's brother.)Perhaps a candy tube of Barry Creme is in order... u just rub it in and deny u ever knowingly took the stuff. U get that magic boost without the shame or guilt!
Posted at 12:00PM on Aug 8th 2007 by Joe
20. Well, the only real recorder holder and hero, in my book, is "the Babe". No slight to Hank, but it took more games for him. He gets the record with an asterisk. So Congratulations to both! And for Barry, he doesn't deserve any record for cheating and not telling the truth. So, let's hear it for "the Babe" and "Hank" only.
Posted at 2:16PM on Aug 8th 2007 by Paul