Funny thing is, it happened once the past three seasons (Dodgers in ‘06, Red Sox in ‘07, White Sox in ‘08), but apparently these things come in threes, because the first three occurences took place in a four year span (Braves in ‘61, Indians in ‘63, Twins in ‘64). Again for scale, 3 Home Run Games occurred 19 times the past three years.
Ken Griffey Junior almost had Home Run #600 this afternoon.
There’s a lot of talk that baseball isn’t paying attention to Griffey’s quest for 600. Don’t tell that to Phillie Phans … who seemed to be rooting for Griffey to do it this afternoon.
David Chalk of Bugs and Cranks and I are engaging in a well intentioned, respectful debate on Barry Bonds, Home Run ball #756 (and its asterisk) and a call to boycott the Baseball Hall of Fame.
David Chalk begins the uprising with a call to boycott the Hall of Fame. I am not sure I really understand this one. The Hall of Fame isn’t complicit in the branding of the ball. They are merely the recipient of a piece of history - baseball history. And like it or not, the controversy over Bonds and his steroid use (please note the word “alleged” is purposely missing) is a part - no make that a huge part - of the history of the game, this era, and the career Home Run record that Bonds holds (please note that I am not one of the Bonds haters that refuses to acknowledge his record).
The Hall of Fame, or more appropriately called the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, is in the business of recording the history of the game of Baseball. Not just the statistics - but the history. Barry Bonds will forever be known as the man who broke baseball’s most hallowed record with the help of steroids. That is his history.
And here is the part that of David’s case that I really disagree with:
“This is The United States Of America. Baseball is the National Pastime of The United States Of America. If a man declares his innocence, he is considered innocent until he is proven guilty. We cannot give that precious right away because someone paid money at an auction, or because other people voted on the Internet.”
People in this country have to stop associating the right of presumed innocence afforded to our citizens in a court of law with the nonexistent “right” that extends to arena of public opinion. Just because Barry Bonds professes his innocence and he has not been convicted of anything doesn’t mean that I have to suspend common sense and buy into his legitimacy.
Back in June, Richie authored a post on the Greatest Walk-off Home Runs in World Series History. On that list was Kirk Gibson’s Game 1 shot off of Dennis Eckersley in the 1988 Fall Classic (Richie even called it the greatest ever). You will get no debate from me, it has to be one of the most dramatic, most memorable Home Runs in World Series History. His injured legs add to the lore of the dinger (it was his only at bat in the entire series).
The feat is further romanticized (if baseball can be romantic) by the call of Vin Scully. I can close my eyes and still hear his golden tones set-up the moment.
“All year long, they looked to him to light the fire, and all year long, he answered the demands, until he was physically unable to start tonight——with two bad legs: The bad left hamstring, and the swollen right knee. And, with two out, you talk about a roll of the dice… this is it.”
After working an 0-2 count to 3-2, Scully put the pitch on a tee, and smacked it home with the famous call:
“The game right now is at the plate. High fly ball into right field, she i-i-i-is… gone!! In a year that has been so improbable… the impossible has happened!”
That is how I remember the moment, because I was watching on TV. Jack Buck’s radio call (”I don’t believe what I just saw”) is probably more referenced, but let’s face it, people know that call from the highlights of the game more so than the hearing it live. It was Vin Scully, and that unmistakable legendary voice that helped propel the legendary status of the Kirk Gibson dinger in 1988.
Now why do I bring this up? Yesterday, I was reading one of my favorite baseball writers, Rob Neyer on ESPN.com. He has compiled at top ten list of baseball miracles (no subscription needed). This list has merit, and contains some of the usual great moments in sports (The 2004 Red Sox comeback from 0-3 deficit against the Yankees is #1). What is interesting, is 8 of the 10 “miracles” are team based (i.e. 2004 Red Sox, 1986 Mets) and 2 are individual accomplishments, Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hit streak and the aforementioned Kirk Gibson Home Run. There lies the rub. How can that Home Run be considered a miracle?
Barry Bonds etched his name on the most hallowed of baseball records last night when he hit career Home Run number 756 …
Whether you like it or not.
And I think that Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik, Jr.DESERVED to serve up his career-defining pitch to Bonds … because Bacsik started showboating right before it. Watch.
Well, if we always post 3 Home Run Nights for players, we definitely should recognize a more rare achievement, 4 consecutive Home Runs by the White Sox (Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, Juan Uribe). To give you a bit of scale, a single player has hit 3 Home Runs in a game 480 times. However, a team has hit 4 consecutive Home Runs in a game only 6 times.
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