Does Bonds' have a chance at the all-time HR record? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

grayman · 07-07-2003, 06:46 PM

I just wanted to know what everyone thinks about Barry Bonds' chances of breaking the all-time home run record. I personally think he has a pretty good shot at it. I know he is old and won't play for a lot longer, but
1)He is currently only 116 home runs away, I think it is reasonable to give him 25 more this season leaving him 91 shy of the record. 3 seasons of 32 HR's each.
2)He sits about every 3rd or 4th game.
3)He seems to only be getting better at hitting home runs.
4)I think the most likely reason he would quit is winning the series, and last year was his best shot.
5)He will do it just to spite people. (and I'm a Bonds' fan.)

The_Dude · 07-07-2003, 07:14 PM

if they pitch the ball to him all the time, then yes!

JoeyB · 07-07-2003, 07:25 PM

He may do it as a DH, but I'm not sure why that would disgrace himself and the game in the process. Even Hammerin' Hank finished up his career as a DH with Milwaukee. I realize that most of his homers were in the NL, but if the player is productive--and the last time I checked, Mr. Bonds is still quite productive--why does a change in positions bring such disgrace?

Bonds can approach the record if (and once again, The_Dude shall lead the way to clarity) pitchers give him the opportunity.

grayman · 07-07-2003, 07:43 PM

I'm not knocking the DH position in general, just players who hang around long after they should have retired, crawling slowly towards records for individual glory in a team game *cough* emmitt smith *cough* I however, think that Barry will get the record very easily because he takes such good care of himself and rests pretty regularly.

grayman · 07-10-2003, 01:36 AM

Chalk up another for Mr. Bonds.

BulletBob · 07-10-2003, 03:01 AM

I dunno, it's too early to say right now. However, I don't think he'll do it. I believe he'll retire before breaking the record.

paddyjoe · 07-10-2003, 04:31 AM

He's already gone on record that he'd like to finish up as a DH in Anaheim. If that happens, then there is no doubt, barring a career ending injury, that he'll break the record.

gov135 · 07-10-2003, 07:11 AM

Bonds is so fickle its difficult to determine what he may or may not do.

While I believe he'll play 4 more seasons, I think he'll have a hard time getting to the record. I just don't think he can keep up the production he's had in the last few years.

SACKINGSFAN · 07-10-2003, 09:01 AM

NO he doesn't play with the DH, his hams wont hold up long enough to make it all the way

killwhitey · 07-10-2003, 09:50 AM

I think he'll do it.

I think Baseball should eliminate the intentional walk somehow. Almost everyone complains that baseball is boring, and you allow it to be possible to completely bypass a teams superstar? Lame.

teflonian · 07-16-2003, 01:14 AM

I say he does it... if he wants to do it...

You know Bonds, some things he just doesn't want to do, so he doesn't do them...

I really do think he is going to do it though, maybe even sooner than 3 or 4 years... It would be awesome if he could do it while still with the Giants.

blindside · 07-17-2003, 10:36 AM

He doesnt "2)He sits about every 3rd or 4th game." but he has already said after his contract with the giants is up he wouldnt mind being a DH in the AL and more specifically with the Angels. I think he has a shot, but I think it's harder than people think, especially since he recently said that he only really cares about the Babe's mark of 714.

Sen · 07-17-2003, 11:27 AM

I don't think he will last long enough to break the record.

Furthermore, as a pitcher, I would throw at his knees and try to hit him on the leg at least 1 ab everytime I faced him. If my manager called for an intentional walk, I would probably just bean him on the knee or thigh. I can't stand how he dives over the plate and is allowed to wear that HUGE piece of body armor on his arm.

Sen · 07-17-2003, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by killwhitey

I think Baseball should eliminate the intentional walk somehow. Almost everyone complains that baseball is boring, and you allow it to be possible to completely bypass a teams superstar? Lame.

Eliminating the intentional walk wouldn't do anything to help. As I said in my previous post, pitchers would either resort to hitting him or throwing 4 balls in the dirt. As counterintuitive as it may sound, intentional walks probably speed up the game, if anything and are a very valuable tool to a manager to avoid big RBI situations or set up double plays.

davsch13 · 07-18-2003, 01:34 PM

If he follows through on DH'ing in Anaheim, then yes, he'll get it. Otherwise, he'll get Ruth and Mays, but Aaron may be too far off... It'll be damn close though.

BigGov · 07-18-2003, 07:17 PM

He cares more about beating Ruth than beating Aaron though, probably because Ruth held records across the board and the only major record Aaron holds is the home run record.

MikeyChalupa · 07-18-2003, 07:44 PM

Anyone hear Bonds go off on Babe Ruth like a jackass the other day?

Quote:

The San Francisco slugger leads the majors with 30 homers at the All-Star break, putting him just 17 shy of matching his godfather - Mays - for third on the all-time list.
“Willie’s number is always the one that I’ve strived for,” Bonds said during Monday’s press sessions.
“And if it does happen, the only number I care about is Babe Ruth’s. Because as a left-handed hitter, I wiped him out. That’s it. And in the baseball world, Babe Ruth’s everything, right? I got his slugging percentage and I’ll take his home runs and that’s it. Don’t talk about him no more.”
Ruth hit 714 home runs, a mark that stood for many years until Aaron came along. Aaron finished with 755, but Bonds said “755 isn’t the number that’s always caught my eye.”

Here's a number to catch your eye, Barry. 94. That's how many games Ruth won AS A PITCHER. With a career ERA of 2.24, while you're bullshitting. He won 3 world series games, two of them complete games and allowed only 3 runs. Guess you won't be taking the mound anytime soon, right Barry?

More numbers? 137. That's your career high season RBI mark. The Babe tied or beat that NINE TIMES. Seasons were shorter then, by the way. How about 3? That's how many times you've hit more than 45 homers in a season. Once again, NINE TIMES for Ruth. And you may have beaten his single season slugging record; for your career, you're not even close. Ruth also led his league in slugging 12 out of 13 years. He was injured for half of 1925. Congratulations on one thing though - this year you surpassed Ruth's career STRIKEOUT record. Way to go!

Oh yeah, here's another number, Barry. 7. That's how many World Series titles Babe won. You have exactly zero. Shut the FUCK up and show some respect.

-Mikey

Donkeypuncher · 07-18-2003, 11:03 PM

The only weakness he's shown in the past few years is his hamstrings (I remember watching him pile up at the wall at Dodger Stadium last year and he didn't play for two weeks after that) so I'm not worried about his body just giving up on him a la Griffey, Jr. And if he starts gimping the hammies on a regular basis, yeah - you'll see him DH in Anaheim. 4 more season at the outside, probably 3.

MikeyChalupa · 07-19-2003, 09:16 AM

Forgot to mention that Babe saved the game of baseball by reviving fan interest after fans turned away from the game after the Black Sox scandal. Barry decided not to play in the home run derby.

-Mikey

Lestat · 07-19-2003, 03:38 PM

He should pass it easily.

BigGov · 07-19-2003, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeyChalupa
Forgot to mention that Babe saved the game of baseball by reviving fan interest after fans turned away from the game after the Black Sox scandal. Barry decided not to play in the home run derby.

-Mikey

How'd he revive it? He just played the game. If McGuire and Sosa didn't have the run in '98, Bonds would have done the same thing.

Oh, and there wasn't a home run derby back in Babe's days. And just because it's there doesn't mean Bonds has to participate in it. Why do people come down on a sports star when he doesn't do one thing? It's an exhibition for christ sakes and in order to win, which is what everyone would demand from him, he'd need to go out and take over 50 power swings. On an almost 39 year old body, that can be alot.

grumpyolddude · 07-20-2003, 08:43 PM

I think he'll do it. But I really wish he would just shut the hell up and play ball!

MikeyChalupa · 07-20-2003, 08:48 PM

How did the Babe save baseball? He saved it by changing the way the game was played. After the Black Sox scandal, fans began to lose interest in the sport. They felt that if the World Series could be fixed, then why bother caring about the game? Ruth added the home run to the game. No longer were home runs a rare novelty, they became the way we define a player. For instance, this entire thread.

In 1919, Babe hit 29 homers and broke the season mark of 27, set back in 1884. The rest of his team (his last year in Boston, the year the curse would begin) combined to hit 4 more. The following year, Ruth upped that mark to 54. That was more than any other TEAM hit that year, with the exception of the Philadelphia A's, who had 64. The top three power hitters on that team? 15, 14, and 9. Babe's new record didn't last long though, because the next year Ruth pushed it up to 59. The home run craze was catching on - the next two best home run hitters that year hit 24 apiece.

Home run chases? Ruth had one of those, and won it soundly. In 1927, when he set his mark of 60 that would stand until 1961, He beat his teammate Lou Gehrig, who hit 47. The third place winner was a Yankee too, Tony Lazzeri with 18. See where I'm going with this?

As for the Home Run Derby, it is supposed to showcase the BEST power hitters in the majors. Without Bonds or Sosa, or Frank Thomas, it becomes a showcase of the power hitters who decided to show up that day, like the NBA's Slam Dunk contest has. Home runs, like slam dunks, put fans in the seats. Without the best players in that showcase, sooner or later nobody will give a shit about the HR Derby, much like nobody gives a shit about the Slam Dunk contest. Can you remember off the top of your head who won the last three?

There were no HR Derbies in Ruth's day, but in 1934, Babe Ruth (then at the age of 39, like Bonds will be on July 24) who was nearing the end of his career and was about to be released from the Yankees, went on a barnstorming tour of Japan with other major leaguers during the offseason. The craze the games created in Japan led to the formation of the Japanese professional baseball leagues in 1936.

This is what I mean about the Babe. His influence carries much further than any other American athlete, with the possible exceptions of Muhammad Ali and maybe Michael Jordan. There are people in this world who have never heard of Barry Bonds, but who know who Babe Ruth was. Think there are people who know who Barry Bonds is, but have never heard of Babe Ruth? If you look up "Roaring 20's" in any encyclopedia or history book, two portraits you are GUARANTEED to see are Charles Lindbergh and Babe Ruth. The guy's been dead for just about 55 years and Red Sox fans STILL blame him for their team's inability to win it all. Almost 80 years from now, are we going to look back on Barry and remember him the way we remember the Babe? No freakin' way. A few of the Babe's nicknames, that fathers teach their sons with pride: Sultan of Swat, Colossus of Clout, The Great Bambino. Bonds' nicknames? Well, I'm sure SOMEBODY has heard of one, maybe.

He's a great player, no doubt. Maybe the best today. But you can't talk about him and the Babe in the same way.

-Mikey

Sen · 07-20-2003, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MikeyChalupa

Oh yeah, here's another number, Barry. 7. That's how many World Series titles Babe won. You have exactly zero. Shut the FUCK up and show some respect.

-Mikey

Excellent post. What an ass to say that kind of crap about the Babe. How can you have that much hostility towards a dead man who was a pioneer in your chosen field???

grayman · 07-20-2003, 10:56 PM

As much as I appreciate your views about Babe Ruth and his exploits, they don't really have anything to do with this thread, which is about whether or not Bonds will break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record.

BigGov · 07-21-2003, 12:36 AM

Quote:

How did the Babe save baseball? He saved it by changing the way the game was played. After the Black Sox scandal, fans began to lose interest in the sport. They felt that if the World Series could be fixed, then why bother caring about the game? Ruth added the home run to the game. No longer were home runs a rare novelty, they became the way we define a player. For instance, this entire thread.

Ruth didn't "add" the home run, he just hit them. He was the only one back then that could do it with frequency. Thing is, Bonds can do it with better frequency, against mostly better competition, and under equal scrutuny.

Quote:

In 1919, Babe hit 29 homers and broke the season mark of 27, set back in 1884. The rest of his team (his last year in Boston, the year the curse would begin) combined to hit 4 more. The following year, Ruth upped that mark to 54. That was more than any other TEAM hit that year, with the exception of the Philadelphia A's, who had 64. The top three power hitters on that team? 15, 14, and 9. Babe's new record didn't last long though, because the next year Ruth pushed it up to 59. The home run craze was catching on - the next two best home run hitters that year hit 24 apiece.

Home run chases? Ruth had one of those, and won it soundly. In 1927, when he set his mark of 60 that would stand until 1961, He beat his teammate Lou Gehrig, who hit 47. The third place winner was a Yankee too, Tony Lazzeri with 18. See where I'm going with this?

So no one could hit for power back then. They were playing on 30 years of knowledge instead of 100 years of knowledge.

Quote:

As for the Home Run Derby, it is supposed to showcase the BEST power hitters in the majors. Without Bonds or Sosa, or Frank Thomas, it becomes a showcase of the power hitters who decided to show up that day, like the NBA's Slam Dunk contest has. Home runs, like slam dunks, put fans in the seats. Without the best players in that showcase, sooner or later nobody will give a shit about the HR Derby, much like nobody gives a shit about the Slam Dunk contest. Can you remember off the top of your head who won the last three?

I believe Desmond Mason, Jason Richardson, and Jason Richardson. (Checks Google) Yup, I'm right. If you don't want to watch it, don't watch it. Why should someone else be forced to do something detrimental to his/her health just for your enjoyment?

Quote:

There were no HR Derbies in Ruth's day, but in 1934, Babe Ruth (then at the age of 39, like Bonds will be on July 24) who was nearing the end of his career and was about to be released from the Yankees, went on a barnstorming tour of Japan with other major leaguers during the offseason. The craze the games created in Japan led to the formation of the Japanese professional baseball leagues in 1936.

This is what I mean about the Babe. His influence carries much further than any other American athlete, with the possible exceptions of Muhammad Ali and maybe Michael Jordan. There are people in this world who have never heard of Barry Bonds, but who know who Babe Ruth was. Think there are people who know who Barry Bonds is, but have never heard of Babe Ruth? If you look up "Roaring 20's" in any encyclopedia or history book, two portraits you are GUARANTEED to see are Charles Lindbergh and Babe Ruth. The guy's been dead for just about 55 years and Red Sox fans STILL blame him for their team's inability to win it all. Almost 80 years from now, are we going to look back on Barry and remember him the way we remember the Babe? No freakin' way. A few of the Babe's nicknames, that fathers teach their sons with pride: Sultan of Swat, Colossus of Clout, The Great Bambino. Bonds' nicknames? Well, I'm sure SOMEBODY has heard of one, maybe.

He's a great player, no doubt. Maybe the best today. But you can't talk about him and the Babe in the same way.

-Mikey [/B]

You're right, I can't talk about them in the same way. Bonds has better numbers, is a more complete player, so he's the better player. Ruth may have done more for the game, but Bonds still has more ability. 91 wins against the offenses you're describing doesn't surpass 500 stolen bases.

sportsrule101 · 07-21-2003, 07:53 AM

still can't can't preform, or win a championship.

bonds = whinning asshat

MikeyChalupa · 07-21-2003, 09:21 AM

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ruthba01.shtml
Babe Ruth
http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bondsba01.shtml
Barry Bonds

How are Bonds' numbers better exactly? Because he steals bases? So the Babe didn't steal bases. He could still run. Triples are a pretty good indication of being able to hit the ball hard and run the bases pretty quickly, agreed? Notice that Ruth had 136 triples in his career. Coming into this season, Bonds has 73. Oh wait... he's got one this season. So 74 total. And that's in MORE career AB's in 17 seasons than Babe had in 22. Let's go deeper. Bonds' single best triples season was 9, waaaay back in 1987. Ruth tied or beat that SIX times. Not bad for a big fat guy, right? And yet Bonds is a perfect physical specimen.

But you still think Bonds has better numbers. It's possible that you really just don't know what Ruth's numbers look like. Let's look at their 162 game average season. Remember that Ruth only played 154 game seasons, by the way.

Ruth Bonds (coming into this season)
544 AB 554 <-- In an average season, Bonds gets more AB's than Ruth did. Keep that in mind.
141 Runs 122
186 Hits 164
33 2B's 34 <-- Just barely...
9 3B's 5
46 HR 41
143 RBI 110
8 SB's 33 <-- A category Bonds dominated Ruth in! Steals!
133 BB 128
86 SO 88 <-- More walks, less K's. Who had the better eye?
.342 AVG .295 <-- All that and a .342 CAREER batting average. Bonds has hit better than .342 in a season ONCE.
.474 OB% .428
.690 SLG .595
375 TB 330
3 HBP 5 <-- The pitchers throw at Barry. Boo hoo. Or maybe it's because he stands in the strike zone with a piece of body armor on his elbow. I don't know, I wasn't there. We'd have to check with Cooperstown. But I'm pretty sure Ruth never wore a piece of armor on his elbow, and I'd have loved to hear what he'd have said to someone who suggested that he should.

So once again, I repeat my question. How are Bonds' numbers better exactly? Oh maybe you mean career highs. Let's check.

Ruth Bonds (coming into this season)
540 AB 580
177 Runs 129
205 Hits 181
44 2B's 45 <-- Just barely, again...
16 3B's 9
60 HR 73 <-- Will wind up being his true claim to fame. He won't do it again.
171 RBI 137
17 SB's 52 <-- Wow, Bonds is fast. Then why can't he hit triples?
170 BB 198 <-- Last year. 68 were intentional. The stat was not tracked in Babe's day, because nobody ever did it. There were no such thing as power hitters, so why intentionally put a runner on base?
93 SO 102
.393 AVG .370
.545 OB% .582 <-- Of course, if you walk 198 times.
.847 SLG .863 <-- A by-product of the 73 Homers. Barry's next highest is .799. Ruth's is .846.
457 TB 411
6 HBP 9

Quote:

Bonds has better numbers, is a more complete player, so he's the better player. Ruth may have done more for the game, but Bonds still has more ability.

We've seen that Bonds can out steal Babe every day of the week. He can also hit one more double, if he gets a few more at bats. But in EVERY OTHER MAJOR OFFENSIVE CATEGORY, Babe comes out on top. Bonds' 73 HR season was an abberation. His next highest year is a very human 49. Babe tied or beat that 4 times. But you're probably getting tired of me saying things like that. Even with the inflated year, Ruth's career average season is much better than Bonds'.

Maybe I should show this to Barry...

-Mikey

MikeyChalupa · 07-21-2003, 09:24 AM

Sorry for hijacking the thread. To answer the question, No. Bonds cannot do it. As we've seen, with his home run rate, it will take him probably another 3 years. He'll pass Mays easy, and will probably overtake the Babe, thanks to the 73 HR year. But he will still be more than a season away from Aaron.

-Mikey

Demon2 · 07-21-2003, 01:31 PM

As far as I'm concerned a modern baseball player shouldn't be able to get the record unless he deserves it. Back in the day of Ted Williams and Babe Ruth, they played less games per year and used a harder baseball which made it harder to hit homeruns. So it annoys me when some new guy beats one of their records without really deserving it.

Zeld2.0 · 07-21-2003, 05:36 PM

Yeah these seasons theres like what, 162 games a season?

Thats a lot considering you can get 4 to 5 at bats regularly not to mention that ballparks supposedly got smaller over the years? Hmm no idea on that one though.

JoeyB · 07-21-2003, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Demon2
As far as I'm concerned a modern baseball player shouldn't be able to get the record unless he deserves it. Back in the day of Ted Williams and Babe Ruth, they played less games per year and used a harder baseball which made it harder to hit homeruns. So it annoys me when some new guy beats one of their records without really deserving it.

Does that mean that all new records are no longer valid?? The NFL has added games, does that mean all records set since the merger are null and void?

I respect your loyalty to history, but should we no longer keep track of how players are doing just because it wouldn't be the same as in 1927?? With that logic, Hank Aaron's record doesn't count. Babe Ruth had it easier than Frank "Home Run" Baker.

Eventually, all that's left is Rogers Hornsby and Christy Mathewson.

Anyone for Pie Traynor???

MikeyChalupa · 07-22-2003, 02:27 AM

It's interesting you mention Frank "Home Run" Baker. Do you know his career home run total? 96. He led the AL in homers from 1911 to 1914 with 11, 10, 12, and 9. Hall of Famer, though. Do you think nowadays someone who plays for 13 years and hits 96 Homers is a HOF'er? Fat chance.

-Mikey

Brian Fellows · 07-22-2003, 11:54 PM

He will make the record if he wants to, but it sounds like he only wants to go after ruth's record and leave Hank Aaron's record alone.

ghostF98 · 08-07-2003, 11:49 AM

Yes, I think he will break the record, provided he stays healthy. However, with his latest feud with Babe Ruth, I wouldn't be surprised if he hits 715 and then retires. Since he wants Hank to stay at the top.

ace81385 · 08-07-2003, 08:39 PM

It would bring disgrace to go out As DH because hes also a good fielder and plus u should go out on top and not over stay ur welcome. So to stay in league to age 55 and suck ballz tarnishes his image and wat not.

Konichiwaneko · 08-07-2003, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Demon2
As far as I'm concerned a modern baseball player shouldn't be able to get the record unless he deserves it. Back in the day of Ted Williams and Babe Ruth, they played less games per year and used a harder baseball which made it harder to hit homeruns. So it annoys me when some new guy beats one of their records without really deserving it.

I'm not sure about this...A baseball goes further then a tennis ball and it's denser and harder.

BigGov · 08-08-2003, 11:37 AM

Quote:

It's interesting you mention Frank "Home Run" Baker. Do you know his career home run total? 96. He led the AL in homers from 1911 to 1914 with 11, 10, 12, and 9. Hall of Famer, though. Do you think nowadays someone who plays for 13 years and hits 96 Homers is a HOF'er? Fat chance.

I bet they could play 19 years and hit 28. Ozzie Smith.

Quote:

We've seen that Bonds can out steal Babe every day of the week. He can also hit one more double, if he gets a few more at bats. But in EVERY OTHER MAJOR OFFENSIVE CATEGORY, Babe comes out on top. Bonds' 73 HR season was an abberation. His next highest year is a very human 49. Babe tied or beat that 4 times. But you're probably getting tired of me saying things like that. Even with the inflated year, Ruth's career average season is much better than Bonds'.

Comparing their career stats is obviously useless, because Bonds has changed so much since he was with the Pirates. As for the career high stats.

Ruth -- Bonds
-------------------------
ABs 540 -- 580 So 40 more at-bats, which divided by 5 is about 8 games. Not that much. Disregarded.
Runs 177 -- 129 It sure would help Bonds if he had the kind of support the Babe did to knock him in. Disregarded.
Hits 205 -- 181 Helped because Babe hit 50 points above his career average.
2B's 44 -- 45 Too close to factor.
3B's 16 -- 9 Too close to factor.
HR 60 -- 73 Barry won't do it again? Well, that's right, because he doesn't get pitched too enough, one of those things that they just didn't do back then. So if they actually PITCHED to Barry, just imagine all the things he could do.
RBI 171 -- 137 Again, if Bonds had the kind of surrounding line-up the Babe had and vice versa this stat would be reversed. Thus, this stat is disregarded.
SB's 17 -- 52 He probably can't hit triples because outfielders have decent arms now, which also explains why guys like Cecil Fielder didn't get triples.
BB 170 -- 198 Again, guys won't pitch to him. If guys actually pitched to him, Bonds could do much more damage. Disregarded.
SO 93 -- 102 Close. It would be smarter to compare their averages here. 86 -- 88. Close. Disregarded.
AVG .393 -- .370 Ruth. Again, Barry set this when he had 198 BB's. So pitchers weren't pitching to him. Disregarded.
OB% .545 -- .582 Of course they won't pitch to him. They don't want to lose. Disregarded.
SLG .847 -- .863 And Ruth hit 54 the year he had .847. HR's increase SLG, so whoever has more will win this, and guess who has more. The better player, Barry Bonds.
TB 457 -- 411 Pretty close. But Babe had 64 MORE AB's to set this one with. Leaving it too close to call, disregarded.
HBP 6 -- 9 Close, disregarded.

Stats not disregarded: Hits, HR, SB, SLG

Which leaves Ruth 1 Barry 3

End result. Stats lie. They're just manipulated to whatever the writer wants them to be.

Awards on the other hand can't be manipulated.

MVP's 1 -- 5 Bonds by a very very large margin
Times in top 10 in MVP Voting 2 -- 6 Again, Bonds by a very large margin. Babe's two times he was in the top 10 he was 5 and 6. Barry had two 2's, one 4, two 5's, and an 8.

The Gold Glove was created in 1956, so Babe has none, but for the hell of it, Barry has 8.

GTI03 · 08-11-2003, 11:50 AM

The mere fact that we're comparing these two in a serious argument is a sign that Barry Bonds is one of the three or four best hitters in ML history.

Mikey, you're obviously a bit biased, what with all the ad hominem attacks on somebody who doesn't know you. But even you must admit that Barry Bonds is an incredible player, and that we're lucky to see him play baseball.

He's dominant. Simply dominant.

Blu2e354 · 08-12-2003, 05:35 PM

Barry will do it.

View Poll Results: Will Bonds Break All-time HR Record?
Yes, he will play 3-4 more seasons and pass it easily	26	48.15%
Yes, but just barely.	11	20.37%
Yes, as a decrepit DH in the AL, disgracing himself and the game in the process.	9	16.67%
No, his body will betray him before he gets within 75.	8	14.81%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll

07-07-2003, 06:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
grayman you can't see me Location: Illinois	Does Bonds' have a chance at the all-time HR record? I just wanted to know what everyone thinks about Barry Bonds' chances of breaking the all-time home run record. I personally think he has a pretty good shot at it. I know he is old and won't play for a lot longer, but 1)He is currently only 116 home runs away, I think it is reasonable to give him 25 more this season leaving him 91 shy of the record. 3 seasons of 32 HR's each. 2)He sits about every 3rd or 4th game. 3)He seems to only be getting better at hitting home runs. 4)I think the most likely reason he would quit is winning the series, and last year was his best shot. 5)He will do it just to spite people. (and I'm a Bonds' fan.) __________________ That's right - I'm a guy in a suit eating a Blizzard. F U. Last edited by grayman; 07-07-2003 at 09:47 PM..

07-07-2003, 07:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	if they pitch the ball to him all the time, then yes! __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

07-07-2003, 07:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
JoeyB feeling tingly	He may do it as a DH, but I'm not sure why that would disgrace himself and the game in the process. Even Hammerin' Hank finished up his career as a DH with Milwaukee. I realize that most of his homers were in the NL, but if the player is productive--and the last time I checked, Mr. Bonds is still quite productive--why does a change in positions bring such disgrace? Bonds can approach the record if (and once again, The_Dude shall lead the way to clarity) pitchers give him the opportunity. __________________ My mom is a Diamondbacks fan. She really likes the Big Unit

07-07-2003, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
grayman you can't see me Location: Illinois	I'm not knocking the DH position in general, just players who hang around long after they should have retired, crawling slowly towards records for individual glory in a team game cough emmitt smith cough I however, think that Barry will get the record very easily because he takes such good care of himself and rests pretty regularly. __________________ That's right - I'm a guy in a suit eating a Blizzard. F U.

07-10-2003, 01:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
grayman you can't see me Location: Illinois	Chalk up another for Mr. Bonds. __________________ That's right - I'm a guy in a suit eating a Blizzard. F U.

07-10-2003, 03:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
BulletBob Psycho Location: Rupp Arena	I dunno, it's too early to say right now. However, I don't think he'll do it. I believe he'll retire before breaking the record.

07-10-2003, 04:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
paddyjoe through charlatans phone Location: Northcoast	He's already gone on record that he'd like to finish up as a DH in Anaheim. If that happens, then there is no doubt, barring a career ending injury, that he'll break the record.

07-10-2003, 07:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
gov135 Junkie Location: Midwest	Bonds is so fickle its difficult to determine what he may or may not do. While I believe he'll play 4 more seasons, I think he'll have a hard time getting to the record. I just don't think he can keep up the production he's had in the last few years.

07-10-2003, 09:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
SACKINGSFAN Tilted Location: Stockton ca	NO he doesn't play with the DH, his hams wont hold up long enough to make it all the way __________________ I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours

07-10-2003, 09:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
killwhitey Upright	I think he'll do it. I think Baseball should eliminate the intentional walk somehow. Almost everyone complains that baseball is boring, and you allow it to be possible to completely bypass a teams superstar? Lame.

07-16-2003, 01:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
teflonian Appreciative Location: Paradise	I say he does it... if he wants to do it... You know Bonds, some things he just doesn't want to do, so he doesn't do them... I really do think he is going to do it though, maybe even sooner than 3 or 4 years... It would be awesome if he could do it while still with the Giants.

07-17-2003, 10:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
blindside Tilted Location: NorCal	He doesnt "2)He sits about every 3rd or 4th game." but he has already said after his contract with the giants is up he wouldnt mind being a DH in the AL and more specifically with the Angels. I think he has a shot, but I think it's harder than people think, especially since he recently said that he only really cares about the Babe's mark of 714.

07-17-2003, 11:27 AM	#13 (permalink)
Sen Insane Location: Midwest	I don't think he will last long enough to break the record. Furthermore, as a pitcher, I would throw at his knees and try to hit him on the leg at least 1 ab everytime I faced him. If my manager called for an intentional walk, I would probably just bean him on the knee or thigh. I can't stand how he dives over the plate and is allowed to wear that HUGE piece of body armor on his arm. __________________ "I want to announce my presence with authority!" "You want to what?" "I want to announce my presence with authority!!"

07-18-2003, 01:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
davsch13 Upright	If he follows through on DH'ing in Anaheim, then yes, he'll get it. Otherwise, he'll get Ruth and Mays, but Aaron may be too far off... It'll be damn close though.

07-18-2003, 07:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
BigGov WoW or Class... Location: UWW	He cares more about beating Ruth than beating Aaron though, probably because Ruth held records across the board and the only major record Aaron holds is the home run record. __________________ One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

07-18-2003, 11:03 PM	#18 (permalink)
Donkeypuncher Psycho Location: Pasadena, CA	The only weakness he's shown in the past few years is his hamstrings (I remember watching him pile up at the wall at Dodger Stadium last year and he didn't play for two weeks after that) so I'm not worried about his body just giving up on him a la Griffey, Jr. And if he starts gimping the hammies on a regular basis, yeah - you'll see him DH in Anaheim. 4 more season at the outside, probably 3. __________________ "take me down, little Susie, take me down I know you think you're the Queen of The Underground"

07-19-2003, 09:16 AM	#19 (permalink)
MikeyChalupa Squid Location: USS George Washington	Forgot to mention that Babe saved the game of baseball by reviving fan interest after fans turned away from the game after the Black Sox scandal. Barry decided not to play in the home run derby. -Mikey Last edited by MikeyChalupa; 07-19-2003 at 09:20 AM..

07-19-2003, 03:38 PM	#20 (permalink)
Lestat Psycho Location: Riverside, CA	He should pass it easily. __________________ I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it. - Jack Handy

07-20-2003, 08:43 PM	#22 (permalink)
grumpyolddude Deliberately unfocused Location: Amazon.com and CDBaby	I think he'll do it. But I really wish he would just shut the hell up and play ball! __________________ "Regret can be a harder pill to swallow than failure .With failure you at least know you gave it a chance..." David Howard

07-20-2003, 08:48 PM	#23 (permalink)
MikeyChalupa Squid Location: USS George Washington	How did the Babe save baseball? He saved it by changing the way the game was played. After the Black Sox scandal, fans began to lose interest in the sport. They felt that if the World Series could be fixed, then why bother caring about the game? Ruth added the home run to the game. No longer were home runs a rare novelty, they became the way we define a player. For instance, this entire thread. In 1919, Babe hit 29 homers and broke the season mark of 27, set back in 1884. The rest of his team (his last year in Boston, the year the curse would begin) combined to hit 4 more. The following year, Ruth upped that mark to 54. That was more than any other TEAM hit that year, with the exception of the Philadelphia A's, who had 64. The top three power hitters on that team? 15, 14, and 9. Babe's new record didn't last long though, because the next year Ruth pushed it up to 59. The home run craze was catching on - the next two best home run hitters that year hit 24 apiece. Home run chases? Ruth had one of those, and won it soundly. In 1927, when he set his mark of 60 that would stand until 1961, He beat his teammate Lou Gehrig, who hit 47. The third place winner was a Yankee too, Tony Lazzeri with 18. See where I'm going with this? As for the Home Run Derby, it is supposed to showcase the BEST power hitters in the majors. Without Bonds or Sosa, or Frank Thomas, it becomes a showcase of the power hitters who decided to show up that day, like the NBA's Slam Dunk contest has. Home runs, like slam dunks, put fans in the seats. Without the best players in that showcase, sooner or later nobody will give a shit about the HR Derby, much like nobody gives a shit about the Slam Dunk contest. Can you remember off the top of your head who won the last three? There were no HR Derbies in Ruth's day, but in 1934, Babe Ruth (then at the age of 39, like Bonds will be on July 24) who was nearing the end of his career and was about to be released from the Yankees, went on a barnstorming tour of Japan with other major leaguers during the offseason. The craze the games created in Japan led to the formation of the Japanese professional baseball leagues in 1936. This is what I mean about the Babe. His influence carries much further than any other American athlete, with the possible exceptions of Muhammad Ali and maybe Michael Jordan. There are people in this world who have never heard of Barry Bonds, but who know who Babe Ruth was. Think there are people who know who Barry Bonds is, but have never heard of Babe Ruth? If you look up "Roaring 20's" in any encyclopedia or history book, two portraits you are GUARANTEED to see are Charles Lindbergh and Babe Ruth. The guy's been dead for just about 55 years and Red Sox fans STILL blame him for their team's inability to win it all. Almost 80 years from now, are we going to look back on Barry and remember him the way we remember the Babe? No freakin' way. A few of the Babe's nicknames, that fathers teach their sons with pride: Sultan of Swat, Colossus of Clout, The Great Bambino. Bonds' nicknames? Well, I'm sure SOMEBODY has heard of one, maybe. He's a great player, no doubt. Maybe the best today. But you can't talk about him and the Babe in the same way. -Mikey

07-20-2003, 10:56 PM	#25 (permalink)
grayman you can't see me Location: Illinois	As much as I appreciate your views about Babe Ruth and his exploits, they don't really have anything to do with this thread, which is about whether or not Bonds will break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record. __________________ That's right - I'm a guy in a suit eating a Blizzard. F U.

07-21-2003, 07:53 AM	#27 (permalink)
sportsrule101 Insane	still can't can't preform, or win a championship. bonds = whinning asshat __________________ winning isn't everything but losing isn't anything

07-21-2003, 09:24 AM	#29 (permalink)
MikeyChalupa Squid Location: USS George Washington	Sorry for hijacking the thread. To answer the question, No. Bonds cannot do it. As we've seen, with his home run rate, it will take him probably another 3 years. He'll pass Mays easy, and will probably overtake the Babe, thanks to the 73 HR year. But he will still be more than a season away from Aaron. -Mikey Last edited by MikeyChalupa; 07-21-2003 at 02:01 PM..

07-21-2003, 01:31 PM	#30 (permalink)
Demon2 Upright	As far as I'm concerned a modern baseball player shouldn't be able to get the record unless he deserves it. Back in the day of Ted Williams and Babe Ruth, they played less games per year and used a harder baseball which made it harder to hit homeruns. So it annoys me when some new guy beats one of their records without really deserving it.

07-21-2003, 05:36 PM	#31 (permalink)
Zeld2.0 Cherry-pickin' devil's advocate Location: Los Angeles	Yeah these seasons theres like what, 162 games a season? Thats a lot considering you can get 4 to 5 at bats regularly not to mention that ballparks supposedly got smaller over the years? Hmm no idea on that one though.

07-22-2003, 02:27 AM	#33 (permalink)
MikeyChalupa Squid Location: USS George Washington	It's interesting you mention Frank "Home Run" Baker. Do you know his career home run total? 96. He led the AL in homers from 1911 to 1914 with 11, 10, 12, and 9. Hall of Famer, though. Do you think nowadays someone who plays for 13 years and hits 96 Homers is a HOF'er? Fat chance. -Mikey

07-22-2003, 11:54 PM	#34 (permalink)
Brian Fellows Tilted Location: Omaha, Ne	He will make the record if he wants to, but it sounds like he only wants to go after ruth's record and leave Hank Aaron's record alone. __________________ Go Huskers!! Go BEEF!!!!

08-07-2003, 11:49 AM	#35 (permalink)
ghostF98 Tilted Location: texas	Yes, I think he will break the record, provided he stays healthy. However, with his latest feud with Babe Ruth, I wouldn't be surprised if he hits 715 and then retires. Since he wants Hank to stay at the top.

08-07-2003, 08:39 PM	#36 (permalink)
ace81385 Insane	It would bring disgrace to go out As DH because hes also a good fielder and plus u should go out on top and not over stay ur welcome. So to stay in league to age 55 and suck ballz tarnishes his image and wat not.

08-11-2003, 11:50 AM	#39 (permalink)
GTI03 Upright	The mere fact that we're comparing these two in a serious argument is a sign that Barry Bonds is one of the three or four best hitters in ML history. Mikey, you're obviously a bit biased, what with all the ad hominem attacks on somebody who doesn't know you. But even you must admit that Barry Bonds is an incredible player, and that we're lucky to see him play baseball. He's dominant. Simply dominant.

08-12-2003, 05:35 PM	#40 (permalink)
Blu2e354 Crazy Location: Illinois	Barry will do it.