Hits and Runs: Britney Spears, Barry Bonds & Roger Clemens
Pop sensation Britney Spears is being investigated by Los Angeles police regarding an alleged hit-and-run accident in Studio City, CA. Meanwhile, San Francisco Giants’ outfielder Barry Bonds batted in his 756th homer, surpassing the all-time career home run record of 755 HRs held by hall-of-famer Hank Aaron. Mixed emotions enshroud the baseball community, especially with the controversy that Barry Bonds used steroids. While backtalks about the legitimacy of Bonds’ record-breaking feat are in the air, it can’t be discounted that 756 HRs have left the ballpark. I’m a bit late writing about it because we spent days waiting on E-bay if ball number 756 would be bid. I would’ve given 30 bucks for it.
Anyway, like it or not, Barry Bonds is a happy man. President George Bush Jr. gave a call; New York Yankees’ slugger Alex Rodriguez left a congratulatory voice message; and Hank Aaron recorded a tape for Bonds on the night he hit number 756.
New York Yankees’ manager Joe Torre, who was Hank Aaron’s teammate for several seasons with the Braves, did not see the recorded message of Aaron, but he acknowledged that it might have been quite awkward for Hammerin’ Hank.
“His career has never been questioned in any way, and the fact that some of Barry’s stuff has been questioned sort of made him torn,” Torre said. “But when it’s all said and done, I think he understands, like we all do, that Barry’s a great player, and he’s been a great player for a long time. So I think, in thinking about everything that goes with hitting that many home runs, he did what he felt he should do.”
Torre also pointed out that Bonds won several MVP titles before he was reported to have been using steroids. But when asked if Bonds’ record was legitimate, Torre did not answer directly.
“All I’m saying is, you still have to hit the home runs,” Torre said. “It’s certainly quite an accomplishment.”
Yankees’ 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez has 500 homers at age 32, and looks to be the next likely candidate to catch up with Bonds if he can stick around for maybe 10 years. But first he has to heal from a sore calf that was hit by a Josh Towers fastball when they went up against the Toronto Blue Jays. In that same game, Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens hit Blue Jay Alex Rios with a pitch in the seventh inning that cleared the benches and almost started a brawl. Clemens is suspended for 5 games.
Anyway, back to Alex Rodriguez. Personally, I’d think it would be great for the game if the career HR leader doesn’t have the controversy of steroids. But then, that’s just me. If you put odds out on whether A-Rod can deliver, I’d put my money on it. I just hope that he steers clear from the temptations of steroid use when his joints start creaking before he turns 40. Now, that’s also a good bet.
In the meantime, check out these odds for anything Major League Baseball.
[…] Alex Rodriguez hit his 37th homer of the season, and 501st overall. Rodriguez was back in the Yankees’ lineup after sitting out one game with a bruised right calf, courtesy of a Josh Towers fastball during an intense series with the Blue Jays. A-Rod crushed Carmona’s second pitch of the second inning, hitting a towering shot over the wall. After two singles and a sacrifice, catcher Jose Molina, filling in for Jorge Posada, who was recovering from a sore neck, hit an RBI groundout. […]