Published: May 26, 2006 09:24 pm         

Column: The longer the wait, the better for baseball

Anyone who has followed baseball for at least this season knows the drama that is Barry Bonds.

First there’s the possible retirement, then the steroid allegations, then the chase to catch Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list, and now he is “attempting” to pass him.

That’s all fine with me, granted Bonds isn’t my favorite player and in all honesty, I think eventually Alex Rodriguez or Albert Pujols will pass him before their careers are over, barring any significant injury. Records are set year after year and they are carried from one generation to the next. Some may stand forever, like Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak, but others like Hank Aaron’s 755 career home runs, will eventually fall, especially with the size and strength of today’s hitters.

Here’s my only problem with Bonds and his rush to baseball immortality. He says it’s not important to him, that he doesn’t play baseball for himself. He plays for his team and as long as they win games, he’s happy. All that said, why is the guy, who many have said is the greatest hitter in the game, taking so long to pass Ruth.

I have followed the success, or lack there of, of Bonds and his chase in recent weeks because with any luck we will have it in our paper when it does happen because it will, eventually. However, there is no rush to pass Ruth because stadiums are filled wherever the San Francisco Giants play and ESPN and other networks are getting great ratings because we are all anxiously awaiting and watching with hopes of seeing history. We all want to be able to talk about it at work the next day, and someday when we are all watching a new generation of baseball players, we will be able to say I remember when ... But for baseball and even Bonds himself, his home run chase has taken center stage, as it should. Allegations of steroid use, which surrounded Bonds throughout the preseason, have been put on the back burner while baseball fans of the world watch and wait.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, knowing he and the rest of the big wigs in baseball are just as involved and as guilty in the steroid issue as the players themselves, does not want baseball, which has seen numerous labor strikes, a steroid controversy and is losing fans to the mighty NFL, to have another black eye. So, why not draw this thing out and get as much bang for your buck as you possibly can. Right behind Bonds is Pujols, who may very well make his own run at the single season home run record this year. Once again, another positive for baseball that takes the focus away from the negatives.

Maybe Bonds and Selig aren’t the best of friends, but both have something to gain from a prolonged home run chase. Bonds has been sitting on 714 home runs since May 20. Heading into San Francisco’s weekend series with the Colorado Rockies, Bonds has rested for two days and should be ready to swing for the fences. Will he finally end the suspense with a towering shot into McCovey Cove or will he drag it out even longer with more 0-for-2 with two walks games. I guess we’ll all just have to wait and watch and see if Selig gives the go-ahead.

     

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