It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Chris K, Biloxi, MS — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 03:38:55 GMT

It's funny, finally BB says one true thing this year.
He is an Embarrasment! Not just to the uniform he is wearing but to Baseball as a whole. I can only hope a miracle happens and he doesn't get the record this year and everyone shuns him next year. No signing and no playing!!!!!!

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Kurt Orr Berkeley CA — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 05:27:03 GMT

"Nothing comes as easily at 43 (Bonds turns 44 next week)' at least have your underpaid fact checker put in a shift..Barry will be 43 this month....the rest of your stuff is typical bar room banter YAWN!

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Fred Marin — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:38:50 GMT

I think this is wishful thinking, Ted. Bonds is going to get those five homers this year, and that's really what baseball deserves. But shame on MLB for recently confiscating anti-Bonds banners and asterisk signs from fans when the Giants are on the road. Transparency is the best policy after the steroid scandal.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

hank, houston, TX — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:33:10 GMT

He does not turn 44 next week - he turns 43

Articles like this are why true sports fans find reporters hard to take - you can promote a 'conspiracy theory' like this (Bonds WILL hit 756 in SF) and dispell the conspiracy theories of others (BALCO investigation) based on the work of ... other reporters!

I think Barry will take any HRs he hits at this point (after his dreadful series against LA)regardless of whether they are in SF or elsewhere. While there is the possibility that he does not reach the record this year (I think he would be the oldest guy to hit over 20HRs in a year) I don't think he is intentionally missing games so that he can do it in SF - if there is a steroid that allows one to perform like that on demand ... let's just say the inventor would be a very rich individual.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

charlie Brooklyn, NY — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:29:25 GMT

what an absolute waste of a great record. Nobody is very excited about this other than the fans in San Francisco and the baseball pundits who want to see the reaction of Bud Selig to the breaking of Aaron's record by someone who is implicated, unoficially of course, in the steroid scandal. If Bonds were to not reach 756 this season it will be interesting to see if the Giants bring him back under another 1 year deal. If i were that management, i would like nothing better than to cut my ties with Bonds at the end of the season, record or no record.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Mike B. — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:02:36 GMT

I just wish Barry Bonds would have never played baseball....PERIOD!! It's jerks like him that caused me to quit watching baseball games almost totally.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

desmond watkins, san fransisco california — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:02:28 GMT

you guys are complee idiots, if you turn on the TV anytime, you'll see that bonds wants to play and everyone in San Fransisco does too. he will break the record this year whether your white-ass wants him to or not

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Deke, San Francisco — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:14:10 GMT

Full Disclosure - I am a Bonds fan.. I'm not a blind Bonds fan, I can see the negative things about Barry but I respect a great player... and he is one of the greats.
But here is the thing... I think that while baseball fans outside of SF generally dislike Bonds, I don't think they will boo him for breaking the record. If you look at the HR's that he hits away, a fairly large portion of fans clap, because they know they are witnessing history.
There will be some booing, but I believe (and maybe hope) that if Bonds breaks the record away, that the fans will cheer because baseball fans have the class to respect an achievment like that.
The very same thing happens in cricket, fans will hate a player, boo the player but if they break a milestone the crowd will stand up and clap out of respect... I really hope this happens when Barry breaks the record.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Kevin, Westfield, NJ — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:20:44 GMT

Good take on this: I've had it with Bonds. He cheated, he knows it, the Giants know it, and MLB knows it. Now they are all squirming in the uncomfortable light of day like a bunch of vampires. They all deserve one another. Bonds breaking this record is a travesty and it should be painful to all the willing participants...including the fans who cheered and cheered while Bonds, Mac, Sosa, Sheff, Giambi, etc hit homer after homer. We all get what we deserve.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

John Sanchez, Mountain View CA — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:58:08 GMT

Ted! Bonds was born in 1964! 2006 (his last birthday) minus 1964 means he's 42 now! That would make him 43 next week instead of 44!!!

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Ed, Albany, GA. — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:39:03 GMT

I think that it's a disgrace for Bulking Barry to want such a honorable record under such questionable circumstances. I seriously feel that it will take the Giants at least five years to recover from this self serving nightmare. What a difference a year makes when you hinge it on a liar and a cheat! Giants please dump Bulking Barry and rejoin the class of the Classy!!!

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

J.R. Garcia, Lubbock, TX. — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:05:24 GMT

If it is true that hitting home runs in Giants stadium is as hard as any place in the majors, then would'nt it be safe to go out and try to hit the next four home runs in a home run friendly environment. With his skill level falling because of age and injuries, playing every game and getting the max number at bat, is going to be needed if he hopes to break the record this season. The record tying home run and the record breaker can be hit at Giants stadium even if it takes the rest of the year to minipulate playing time and hitting order to achieve this feat. With Mitchell breathing down his neck about alledged steriod use, this home run chase has been tainted and no longer holds the aura such a spectacle should hold, so it does'nt matter how or where you do it. The most important thing is to get it over with. PLEASE!

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Tom Bell, San Diego, CA — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:50:27 GMT

Hi Ted, I love the "At Bat" column. It is a great overall look at the game, beyond the numbers and beyond the talking heads. Love it, keep it up.

PS B. Bonds will be 43 this season, not 44.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Ed Colton, Jacksonville, Florida — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:53:48 GMT

Bonds is no hero. He has not testified. Guilt by this reason and his ever-expanding muscles. I am white and my vote goes to Hank Aaron, a graceful gentleman, and once , one heck of a ballplayer all the way around.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

dougR, Toronto — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:02:22 GMT

What if *Bonds doesn't hit *THE HOME RUN this year? He becomes a free agent next year. Will any team sign him? Maybe he doesn't play and naturally - doesn't hit *THE HOME RUN. San Fran does not want to pay Barry another 18 million just for one home run, do they? I don't think any other team does either. Makes you think he better hit it this year.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

NG, NY, NY — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 18:36:16 GMT

...and I thought I had all the reasons in the world to hate Barry Bonds already. Ideally, the Giants and every other team won't pay him to play next year and he finishes his carrer with 754

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

David Wolff, Chino Hills, CA — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 19:28:20 GMT

I disagree with Ted Robinson here. I'd LOVE to see/hear Bonds (have to) hit #'s 755 and 756 on the road. Nothing but crickets.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Lee Wilcox Minneapolis, MN — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:33:16 GMT

The value of sports commentators just went way down in my mind. You need a grip on the reality of how difficult it is to hit a homerun in the major leagues. Because Bonds goes 0 for 21 you doubt he'll get five more homers?? Please reference his year of hitting 73 dingers and going 0 for 21 from April 6-10.
Now factor in that pitchers are now slightly more likely to throw him a strike and your nonsense is exposed for its historical value--0. If you want some insight into Bonds power and ability, talk to the pitchers. If pitchers believe he won't hit five more, why do they keep walking him more often anyone in baseball? Give him a few more chances to go 0 for 5 and see what happens! I know you have to write something to get paid--but please spare us such baseless drivel.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Luke, Los Angeles — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:15:41 GMT

Right on the money. Look for Bonds to go on the D.L. soon, give him a rest through August and come back hopefully refreshed going into their last 30-35 games to make a run at it before the end of the season. Bonds does not want to play next year, but if he doesn't declare his intention to play now and he waits to see how his season ends before he decides, he risks being booed even worse when MLB fans learn that his only reason for playing in 08 is to break the record. What an absolute HOBSON's choice for S.F. and their fans.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

jeff chance,miami,florida — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:57:00 GMT

i hope barry bonds DOES NOT tie or break the record of henry aaron. as a human being, he does not come close to MR AARON

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Paul, Sarasota, FL — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 07:54:10 GMT

come on, the guy has hit 751 home runs and you don't think he can hit 5 more to break the record? Please give the Bond's bashing a rest.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

jim — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:30:22 GMT

the HR record is going down this year sorry ;P

bonds has played hard for many years and he deserves it.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

John, Cheyenne, WY — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:26:37 GMT

I don't want to see Bonds break the record either, but to think he's not going to do it this year is just wishfull thinking

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

ANDY VAN SLYKE, PITTSBURGH, PA — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:17:40 GMT

Nice theory, but he just crushed two out yesterday (oh my, do you think he is still on the juice)? Barry Bonds is probably the best baseball player ever. Yes, ever. He may not be the most polite. Reporters may hate him. He broke no rules. He's been convicted of nothing (some guys do just get big by working out, believe it or not). He hasn't even been involved in dog fighting. Give the man his due. Bug Selig is a disgrace (and always has been) for not embracing the chase of this record.

It's no longer WHEN, but IF Bonds breaks HR mark this season

Jeff, Syracuse, NY — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:11:19 GMT

I don't know if I am in the minority or majority but either way, I'm sick of Britney, Paris and Barry. I never did, never will, care about any of them. But thanks to Barry, I never follow professional baseball anymore. And you know what sport fans, whether you all like it or not, I hear and see a lot more people who don't care about any professional sports thanks to such wonderful role models as Barry, Kobe and Mike V.