Barry Bonds: MLB Homerun King?

I don't know if it was sheer curiosity or the fact that I for some reason should witness history, but I tuned in tonight to ESPN 2 to watch the Barry Bonds Show (and that's what it is because the Giants and Nats are two putrid teams to watch).

And this is an historic night, either way you look at it. Baseball is driven by the long ball and the homerun record isn't exactly broken every year. Plus, it's a historic night for cheaters as well. I mean, is there anyone out there who thinks Bonds is the true homerun king? That he never used steroids? Even the fans that pack AT&T park every night in San Fran can't be naive enough to think that their hero is a natural specimen. Probably Bonds own family (wife, son, even Godfather Willie Mays) must have their doubts.

I don't want to dwell on these issues (should there be an asterisk, how much has performance-enhancers helped Bonds out,etc.) too much since they've been written about millions of times, instead I want to comment one the spectacle that proceeded Bonds blast off poor Mike Bacsik. Interestingly enough, at the time I was reading a book called Blink by Malcolm Gladwell while I was waiting for Bonds' at bats. The book is about "the power of thinking without thinking," and details the split decisions and initial reactions that we make.
So, I tried to recall the first thing I thought when I saw the ball explode off the bat and Bonds raised his hands triumphantly.

My thoughts were strangely hollow, considering this should have been an epic MLB moment. I was glad it was over with, mainly so the spotlight can turn away from Bonds. I really wished that he would have hit this homer on the road (although everyone knew it would come in San Fran). A road's crowd reaction would have been priceless, a magnified chorus of mixed boos and embarrassed cheers that filled the air in San Diego when Barry tied the record.

After a few minutes of the nauseating firework display and countless shots of Bonds pointing to the sky, I was wishing that ESPN would show the replay of the scrum in the right field bleachers. That was an interesting facet of this story, who managed to wrangle this ball, which was essentially a nicely stitched orb of thousands of dollars, from dozens of other crazed people? What would become of this guy? Oh, and wouldn't it be funny if the person who got this ball was someone who wasn't even a Giants fan, someone who loathed Barry Bonds? Tell me that wouldn't make a great ESPN miniseries in 2017.

I also wish there was a camera in Bud Selig's house to document his reaction. I imagine him in a dark room with the curtains pulled down, empty beer bottles spread across the floor, with him going over how he was going to address the media about this, until he was mumbling to himself like Jack Nicholson is The Shining. Eventually he would fall asleep crying, using the pages from Jose Canseco's newest book as Kleenex.

Sad. But priceless nonetheless (and I think Selig has done a good job, certainly better than Bettman, this is just a tough spot for him to be in).

And what was Hank Aaron doing on the jumbotron congratulating Bonds? He may have figured that one day his record would be broken, but come on, not this way. I would get made if someone beat my high score in Frogger simply because they found a glitch in the game and used that loophole to topple my record, so how could he not be infuriated that this big-headed jerk broke one of the most hallowed records ever by injecting some steroids into his ass?

Furthermore, I could have done without hearing Bonds thank everyone and being cheered like a hero. If I'm a member of the Nationals, then I don't know if I would want Barry to thank me after hitting that ball. As of right now, 1AM Eastern Time, the Nats are winning 8-6, and I would love to see them win this game. Of course, Bonds doesn't care, he decided leaving the game to yet another curtain call is more important then winning.

Putting himself ahead of the team again, what a hero.

While he was thanking everyone, he even mentioned that he would remember this day for the rest of his life. Now, I'm not a fan of the guy and I don't wish him any ill will. But the sad truth is "the rest of his life" may not be that longer. Yeah, Barry, sorry but these things called steroids have some side effects too.

Hopefully, this won't end in anything tragic like that. Hopefully someone like A-Rod, Pujols, Miguel Cabrera or even some unknown prodigy (Ryan Braun?) will someday break the record by using nothing more than a wooden bat and their God-given talent. But for now the record books will state that Barry Lamar Bonds is the home run king. I can't help but wonder why a guy who has the talent to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer without any help (like Bonds), would be compelled to tarnish how he is remembered by messing with steroids. I mean what is better, to be know as one of the all-time great players that can do everything well or as a guy who is known in the record books as the greatest power-hitter but also who's name has become synonymous with cheating?

Now, I read something in the D&C the other day that I liked, it was a quote from a blog and it stated that instead of an asterisk next to the record, there should be a question mark. The symbol that is the very definition of uncertainty and doubt. I like that idea, everywhere that displays the records should always read:

Barry Bonds, All-time Homerun Leader ?

All hail the 'Thurmanator'

"If it is to be, than it's up to me" - Thurman Thomas

Yesterday my all-time favorite NFL player was inducted in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thurman Thomas, to me is everything great about the sport and about the Buffalo Bills.

The first NFL game I ever watched was the Greatest Comeback playoff game against gunner Warren Moon and the behemoths dressed in white and powder blue known as the Houston Oilers. Sure, I watched other Bills games before that, my dad is a huge fan too and I remember the jubilation's of the Bills pulverizing the Raiders to reach their first Super Bowl. And I remember the heartbreak having the Vince Lombardi trophy being kicked out of our hands and fall in to the lap of some guy who inexplicably likes to be called Tuna. Still, I was only in Kindergarten for that game, I was in bed long before shoddy tackling and one infamous kick would deflate the spirits of an entire region.

It wasn't until the Bills stunned the Oilers that I really watched a game, and by watched i just don't mean physically watch it (I had done that before), but to pout my heart into the Bills - and become a true fan of the Red, White and Blue team from Orchard Park. I knew all the Bills were - I knew the legendary QB Jim Kelly, his equally legendary back-up Frank Reich, I knew Bruce, Andre, Tasker, Talley, Odoms, I even knew lesser known players like Carwell Gardener who happened to be one of several Bills who came to my tiny school in York, New York to play the faculty in a charity basketball game. And I already knew who my favorite player was - the Thurmanator.

Of course, I didn't even realize how lucky I was to be able to watch the comeback - the game was blacked out locally, but we had a satellite dish and were able to watch it. My Uncle left at half time (only to make a grand reappearance in the 4th after stopping in a gas station and hearing the seemingly miraculous close score). I never stopped watching, I should have given up and went and played with my Ninja Turtles instead or went and played outside. But I couldn't leave, I just couldn't do it, even though the star QB was out and my favorite player was hurt as well. And in the end, myself and the rest of the faithful Bills nation were rewarded (on that day anyway) with a game that is unmatched in the history of football.

Anyway, my point is that when I think about how much i love the NFL and the Bills I think of this great team, their heyday, and I think about Thurman Thomas.

Thomas should have made it to the Hall last year, in his first year of eligibility, yet he was snubbed again. Apparently the voters had stayed up all night watching tapes of the Greatest Comeback and determined that Warren Moon was more worthy. In my book, not many players are more worth than Thomas and I'm not just saying that because I'm not just saying that because I'm a member of Thurmanator fan club (this was a real fan club that I became a member in when I was a kid, I got a autographed picture, an awesome T-shirt that donned his slogan: "If it is to be, than it's up to me", a keychain and a water bottle). In my mind, he ranks with Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith as the premier ballcarriers of that era.

Watching his highlights this weekend was simply great. This guy could do things that can only be described as awesome. He was as versatile as Jack White and helped to revolutionize the running back position, thus opening the door for talents like Marshall Faulk and LaDanian Tomlinson. Watching the highlight of Thurman slicing through the G-men's defense in Super Bowl XXV was especially moving. It showed the best of this great player and made the "what if..." button in my brain explode. Thomas should have been the MVP of that game, regardless of where that one kick landed.

It wasn't always good for Thurman, he had some moments that were certainly not worthy of his great talent. The lost helmet (which I'm glad he could joke about during his acceptance speech), the Super Bowl fumbles, becoming a Dolphin (If I ever master the art of time travel and I'll make sure this doesn't happen so we can all be spares the image of number 34 in teal and orange).

He was definitely a character, and he learned to love the city of Buffalo. He still bonds with us, the fans, roots for the Sabres and even asked Bills legend Marv Levy to introduce him in Canton. And this got me thinking about another running back with character, something to prove, and the ability to run, catch and block: Marshawn Lynch.

When Thomas was drafted the Bills desperately needed a tailback, and he had a strong rookie campaign that allowed a young team make the playoffs for the first time in seven years and he helped to jumpstart a dynasty. I think I see some parallels with Mr. Lynch. The Bills haven't made the playoffs in seven years and have a young, promising roster that is led by Marv Levy. To imply that Lynch will be as great as the 1991 League MVP is a stretch to say right now, but it's a nice thing to think about. It gives us fans something we always strive for - hope. Hope that out team will someday reach the Ultimate Football Nirvana.

But for now we at least have those proud memories of a team that truly is one of the most remarkable in sporting history, and we can all remember fondly the greatest running back ever to suit up for the Bills - Thermal, the Thurmator, #34 Thurman Thomas.