The Longest Season
The Longest Season
By Justin Mangan
It’s a piece of baseball history that should have fans and speculators salivating. But as Barry Bonds closes in on Babe Ruth’s home run mark, even the savviest fans are shrugging their heads as the San Francisco slugger will soon stand in a lone second place behind only Hank Aaron. However, as the subject of steroid speculation has come to an investigation, Bonds has baseball fans reacting with mixed notions. And why not, his home run marks, which have spurted in his more recent years, may indeed be tainted. We’ve all heard the stories, the rumors, but it appears that Bonds could become the staple for the era of the “asterisk.†And now Barry Bonds appears to be paying the price, as fans have shown no mercy on the Giants leftfielder.
If we look back only a few years ago, Rafael Palmiero, the Baltimore Orioles former first basemen, became a member of an elite group of players by joining the 500 Home Run Club. Here fans from all across raved as he accomplished this feat. Once questioned by federal jury about whether he’d taken steroids, but denied by putting up a compelling argument. However, only days after reaching 500, evidence was released that Palmiero tested positive for banned substances. After suspension, the return of the slugger to the Majors was not greeted kindly as fans booed in disgust for the hero to many had cheated his way through the game of baseball. And to this day the first basemen has not been forgiven. Now, Barry Bonds is witnessing the same fan reactions as each day gets harder and harder. Fans simply boo Bonds from the time his name is announced in the lineup until he disappears into the dugout steps.
For Bonds, the road is where reality really sets in as boo’s and chants of “Balco Barry†roar. Opposing fans cheer against the slugger while others simply stand in silence and watch. As what has been observed all season long, Bonds continues to get screamed and hollered at as he approaches the plate, while erupting with a standing ovation when he strikes out. This is something that goes day in and day out for Bonds. “You don’t want to talk to me. No you don’t. Barry sucks, he’s a jerk, he’s this, he’s that and just put it in the paper,†says the troubled Bonds to the media. There is no doubt that all the attention and fans have gotten to Barry as he is constantly in a bad mood. Never before was Bonds considered a good teammate, as countless interviews with former teammates revealed this. He simply is a man that keeps to himself. But the difference now is the fans. Bond’s whom has always been cheered for, filling ballparks to whatever city he visited, is experiencing the darker side of the game. He is constantly being jarred at, as he not only has to battle the opposing pitcher with every at bat, but the stadium as we’ll. It is obvious Bonds is in a troubled situation, but do not feel sorry for the lonely leftfield, for it is him who put himself into this position.
During the first few weeks of the 2006 season, the Giants were set to play the San Diego Padres for a three game set. As most of us saw, as was the topic of sports for weeks to come, Bonds was greeted by boos, signs and something else. This time it was a little different. The slugger received a syringe that was thrown near Bonds while jogging to the dugout. Not since the days of Albert Belle do I remember fans throwing objects at an opposing player. As with Belle, Cleveland Indian fans showed their disgust by throwing hundred dollar bills with Belle photo at the leftfielder; obviously showing their hate as the slugger switched cities because of a higher contract. For Bonds, Major League Baseball has even taken actions by increasing security in whatever park Bonds plays at. There is no doubt that fans are angrier than ever. And as was true for Albert Belle, fans are not scared to show it.
Amongst all the hinting that Bonds may be playing with an American League team next year, and the steroid allegations, San Francisco fans don’t even seem as eager as they once were. It could be that with the publishing of “Game of Shadows,†the evidence of steroids is just too strong to ignore. Whatever it is Giants fans simply aren’t behind the slugger like before. One night in San Francisco, when Bonds had a chance to tie Ruth’s home run mark, the Giants couldn’t even sell out their seats even at home. As witnessed on ESPN, seats were empty in the upper decks. With such a prestigious mark as Ruth’s in reach, it would seem only fitting that fans from all would admire.
Retirement is a difficult time for athletes of all sports. A time to hang up the cleats, clear the locker, and begin another phase of life. The game that was once loved will never be forgotten. But what many players miss is not the hits, the home runs, or stolen bases, but the few minutes spent in-between innings in the dugout. The time spent with teammates. The smell of the grass, the leather glove, the infield dirt, the roar of the sold out crowds. After the 2006 season, it remains imminent as to what Bonds will look back on. A man who once a highly taunted hero, who now seems to have turned against the game of baseball. For after each series in the 2006 season, Bonds will head back onto the road, where each city he visits makes his season feel longer than the ones before.
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