October 27, 200521 yr http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...SPGKLFEO431.DTL Aaron foresees Bonds breaking HR record John Shea, Chronicle Staff Writer Thursday, October 27, 2005 Houston -- Despite Barry Bonds' age and inactivity this season, Hank Aaron said Wednesday night he's confident the Giants' slugger will break the all-time home run record. "I think he will. I hope so," Aaron said. "I've had it long enough. I've gotten a cup of coffee and a dime out of it." Aaron was at Game 3 to present the Hank Aaron Award to Andruw Jones and David Ortiz, who were named best hitters in each league based on fan balloting. Afterward, Aaron told three newspapers he's prepared to step aside as the homers king. However, the 41-year-old Bonds, while continuing to play amid suspicions of steroid use, hit five homers in 14 games this season, giving him 708 in his career, 47 behind Aaron's 755. He had three right knee surgeries in 2005. "I think if Barry doesn't do it (next) year, I think there's a good chance he'll do it (the following) year," said Aaron, looking ahead to 2007, though Bonds' contract is through 2006. "Records are made to be broken, and I want you to understand that. Barry has been a tremendously gifted player. We can't sit here and accuse him of anything. He hasn't been found guilty of nothing. We talk about it and talk about it, and that's all I can say." Rafael Palmeiro became the highest-profile big-leaguer suspended for steroids after joining Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 500 homers and 3,000 RBIs. But in a gesture that could be considered surprising, Aaron said he didn't mind Palmeiro joining the elite company. "I don't mind, no," Aaron said. "I'd gladly put my arm around him and shake his hand for what he's done. ... His records should stand." Aaron voiced displeasure in the Astros, the first World Series team since the 1953 Yankees, not to have a single African American player. "It's very disturbing to see something like this," he said. "You would think with this ballclub around all these years, you could find at least one or two African Americans, especially in this city. They need to look at that very carefully and look at the scouting department. It needs to be addressed. ... Each club needs to look at that carefully." Aaron on Bonds "I think he will (break the home run record). I hope so. I've had it long enough. I've gotten a cup of coffee and dime out of it... Barry has been a tremendously gifted player. We can't sit here and accuse him of anything. He hasn't been found guilty of nothing." Aaron on Palmeiro "I'd gladly put my arm around him and shake his hand for what he's done... His records should stand."
October 27, 200521 yr Hank is a true legend. All time great. But if players are caught such as Palmeiro they deserve nothing but to be spit on the way they themselves spit on the game. And if Barroid Bonds breaks the record, I would hope that most fans, like me, would refuse to recognize it.
October 28, 200521 yr Aaron voiced displeasure in the Astros, the first World Series team since the 1953 Yankees, not to have a single African American player. "It's very disturbing to see something like this," he said. "You would think with this ballclub around all these years, you could find at least one or two African Americans, especially in this city. They need to look at that very carefully and look at the scouting department. It needs to be addressed. ... Each club needs to look at that carefully." Man, that's such crap. I'm sick of this affirmative action crap in sports...look, baseball doesn't tell them they can't play, it's just that the NBA offers gifted black athletes more glory, and the NFL offers gifted black athletes more up front guaranteed money. Not to be stereotypical, but most black athletes are multi sport stars, and it's a lot easier to make it to the pros faster and make more money in the NBA and the NFL. Plus, it's just ignorant to suggest that every MLB team needs to have a token black player to keep the black community happy...MLB needs to do a better job of marketing black stars like Dontrelle Willis instead of diluting rosters in the name of "racial justice."
October 28, 200521 yr The fact is, there just isnt that many black players out there. When you think about it, there are few on any team. I can only name off the top of my head a few black superstars in this league...Willis, Sheffield, Griffey....
October 28, 200521 yr The fact is, there just isnt that many black players out there. When you think about it, there are few on any team. I can only name off the top of my head a few black superstars in this league...Willis, Sheffield, Griffey.... Because they're all playing football and basketball.
October 28, 200521 yr The Astros don't seem to have many non-white players in general. Not that many Latin ballplayers, either. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing, but it's somewhat odd when you look at all the other teams. I agree that we shouldn't pay much attention to it, but it's one of those things that you would think would happen by chance. Look at the Marlins... I am sure they don't do things on purpose, but it's a very diverse team. Players of all backgrounds. The same can be said about most teams in MLB. You don't see that with the Astros.
October 28, 200521 yr The Red Sox are very white too. Thier pitching staff was all white guys (Schilling, Wells, Clement, Arroyo, Wakefield). Their bullpen is pretty much white besides Jeremi Gonzalez. (Bradford, Myers, Timlin, Paplebon) They had had 6 of 9 position players white and reserves...(Damon, Nixon, Mueller, Graffanino, Millar, Olerud, Kapler, Varitek, Youklis). I think it is just because their two biggest stars are latin, it gets over looked.
October 28, 200521 yr The Red Sox are very white too. Thier pitching staff was all white guys (Schilling, Wells, Clement, Arroyo, Wakefield). Their bullpen is pretty much white besides Jeremi Gonzalez. (Bradford, Myers, Timlin, Paplebon) They had had 6 of 9 position players white and reserves...(Damon, Nixon, Mueller, Graffanino, Millar, Olerud, Kapler, Varitek, Youklis). I think it is just because their two biggest stars are latin, it gets over looked. Arroyo is Latin...
October 28, 200521 yr The fact is, there just isnt that many black players out there. When you think about it, there are few on any team. I can only name off the top of my head a few black superstars in this league...Willis, Sheffield, Griffey.... Because they're all playing football and basketball. They're just not playing baseball, regardless if they play another sport or not.
October 28, 200521 yr I would think Aaron is somewhat forced into supporting Bonds. It's becoming more likely that Bonds will in fact break the record. It never looks good for the previous record holder to criticize and make reference to cheating. That would probably create an image of bad sportsmanship. But hasn't Aaron to small degree questioned Bonds validity? I know Willy Mays has, and that to ME makes me even more suspicious that Bonds cheated.
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