Baseball Must Look to it’s Past for a Hero

There is an old term that people used to describe prolific baseball players: home run heroes. Unfortunately, this is term is becoming more of an oxymoron than

There is an old term that people used to describe prolific baseball players: home run heroes. Unfortunately, this is term is becoming more of an oxymoron than words of praise, as the men hitting the home runs are hardly heroes. In fact, in the eyes of many, both Bonds and A-Rod, have vilified themselves forever, in baseball’s rich and seemingly ever present history. The transgressions of baseball’s current sluggers have made the actions of Hank Aaron seem even bigger.

In the Summer of 2007 Barry Bonds passed Hank Aaron, as baseballs all time home run leader. His pursuit of Aaron was very different then Aarons pursuit of Ruth. During Bonds’ Homerun Chase, he was grilled by the media and was amidst a swirl of steroids rumors, and most would say Bonds handled the pressure and the media poorly. Craig Sager, who covered both historic home run chases was asked to compare Bonds to Aaron. “That’s like comparing apples to oranges,” Sager said, “theres just no comparison. Barry Bonds, possibly the greatest hitter ever, his reputation: doesn’t treat people correctly, doesn’t treat the media right… I respect Bonds as a player, but as a person, no. I’ve been on mission trips with Hank Aaron… I wouldn’t go across the street with Bonds.”

Bonds is now on trial, facing 15 felony charges.

Bonds dealt with the media; Hank Aaron dealt with death threats and intimidation from baseball fans:

"Dear N***** Henry,
You are (not) going to break this record established by the great Babe Ruth if I can help it. ... Whites are far more superior than jungle bunnies. . My gun is watching your every black move."

In the face of such vicious racism, Aaron still managed to handle the pressures of his homerun pursuit with more class and grace then Barry Bonds did.

After Bonds surpassed Aaron on the homerun list, or as I call it “The Bonds Disaster,” many baseball purists had their sights set on A-Rod to restore the dignity and integrity to the holy grail of all baseball records. While many of us knew Rodriguez wasn’t a saint like Aaron was (he had a very public divorce and not to mention he comes off as another money-hungry athlete because if his record breaking $250 million contract), we figured he at least didn’t do steroids, like Bonds. No dice. This week Rodriguez admitted to steroid use between 2001 and 2003.

"The one thing Henry hated was cheating. The whole thing bothered him," Ralph Garr, Aaron's teammate on the Braves for seven seasons, said. Aaron would not have approved of A-Rods 2 year vacation from integrity, and neither do the majority of the fans.Â

This Wednesday, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said that Rodriguez’s steroid use may not go unpunished since it was “against the law.”

Although Bonds has, and Rodriguez most likely will pass Aaron in homeruns, they will never surpass Aaron’s character. The sport of baseball, once loaded with heroes like Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Al Kaline, is now reduced to criminals and roid-ragers like Bonds, A-Rod, Sosa, and McGwire. Many of today’s stars have played like champions, but not as many have lived like them. Five of baseballs top 12 home run hitters have been linked to performance enhancing drugs. Hank Aaron is one of the few athletes still worthy of being called hero.

In addition to the integrity that he showed in a sport that is now morally bankrupt, Aaron also amassed great numbers: first in home runs, RBI, extra base hits, at-bats, games played, total bases, plate appearances, intentional walks; second in runs (tied with Ruth), third in hits when he retired. Last Thursday Aaron turned 75, and he is still a living example of what an athlete could be; and should be; he still gives us hope that one day baseball will be the great, pure, American pastime that it once was.