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"That ball is history" is the phrase Bob Carpenter, announcer for the Washington Nationals on MASN, used to call the record breaking home run, number 756. Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's home run record in the bottom of the 5th inning with one out of the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants game. Mike Bacsik, whose father pitched against Bond's All-Star father, is the pitcher who will go in the record books as the one who pitched the ball that passed Hank Aaron.
Bacsik threw two balls and a called strike before Bonds made contact with the ball. Bonds then fouled one off, took another ball and hit one more foul before he crushed the ball into a lucky man's hands. It was clear from the crack of the bat that the ball was destined to go over the wall. Mike Bacsik, who earlier had stated it wouldn't be a "horrible thing" to be that guy, lowered his head and put his left hand on the back of his hat as ball sailed through air. As Bonds rounded the bases, his family made their way to the field and the Giants' dugout cleared. Hank Aaron's message aired on the screen, in which he passed the torch to Bonds and hoped that this would inspire others to chase their dreams.
Following the ceremony, Bacsik came back to get the final two outs of the 5th inning.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the potential use of performance-enhancing drugs, it is clear that Bonds is a talented athlete who could not have gotten to this point without natural ability and hard work. The circumstances surrounding the record are unfortunate, but perhaps, for just a moment, everyone can take a step back and appreciate what this moment means to baseball.
AP Photo Credit: Ben Margot
As the Tribe gears up for a weekend series with the Twins, I want to take this time to remind everyone to keep the victims and their friends and family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Although the Twins breifly contimplated postponing their game on Wed. night and possibly changing this series with the Indians, they have decided to continue their homestand as scheduled.
Tonight's pitching matchup will feature a battle of the lefties, the 13-6 C.C. Sabathia vs. the 11-8 Johan Santana. While C.C. will be working for his 14th win, the Tribe's offense will have to step against the often superb Santana. The Fan Forcast for the evening is 47% Indians and 53% Twins.
Happy Birthday to #24, the All-Star center fielder, Grady Sizemore!!! He turns 25 today. So far, he has driven in the only run of the game!!
Tribe fans will remember the second half (of the month of September) meltdown that kept the Tribe watching TV in October instead of taking the field in 2005. Although I've made comparison's between this squad and the comeback kids of 1995 and 1997, this team is starting to make me nervous and remind me of 2005. Inexperience and jitters aren't going to cut it this time though. These guys, although very young, have several things they didn't in 2005. They have seasoned vets in Trot Nixon and Kenny Lofton and experienced players all over the field.
The past 5 days have proved rather unkind to the Tribe as they have dropped 4 straight heading into tonight's game with the Rangers. Quiet bats combined with inconsistent pitching are to blame for the latest woes. It seems that when the pitching is spot on, our offense can't seem to get into a groove. There seems to be a jinx on players who have signed big contract extensions this season. Westbrook, who will take the ball tonight, is only 1-6 and suffered an injury that has set him back since signing his 3 year extension with Cleveland. Travis Hafner is also experiencing trouble that has lasted throughout the season but has been exacerbated in the past few days. He is batting an abysmal .132 in the past 9 days. For CC and the Tribe's sake, I hope that he doesn't get re-signed until the offseason!
Although this is a rather negative post, I am a true Cleveland fan and will always believe that they can make the most of the remaining season and get the job done. However, being a Cleveland fan also means that we are in for a roller coaster ride and we'll have to hold our breath until the last out that launches us into October.
