Why the Home Run Record Matters

Until just a couple of years ago, I was a Barry Bonds supporter. While I’m not always the greatest at it, I try to see the best in every person.

When Bonds hit 73 home runs in 2001, I was somewhat skeptical, but I still supported him. When he won the batting title the next year, I was totally amazed.

When BALCO entered the picture…and stayed in the picture…and stayed…

Bonds is now just one swing of the bat away from being alone in first place. But the last few weeks have been fascinating to watch. Fans are booing when Bonds strides to the plate, feeling he has cheated the game. However, when he walks, fans boo the pitcher! People want to say, “I was there when…”

Why is this article on my mind? Because of our young people.

Young people look up to sports stars and they are amazed at the abilities shown on the field. When someone is cheating to get ahead, though, young people have to wonder about sports.

Competition is a great thing. It leads us to do bigger and better things. It pushes us to our limits. Sometimes, though, it pushes us to our limits of morality. We cheat. We cut corners. We try to see if we can “get away with it.”

Barry Bonds doesn’t care what I think, and that’s fine. My place in this world is not to have others care about what I think. I just wish, for once, Bonds would think about his influence with kids. So many still look up to him because he is an amazing player.

How many will decide to try to break his record…but cheat to get there? Here’s hoping that stars like Alex Rodriguez (who, mathematically, could challenge the record one day) do things the right way. Here’s hoping that young people decide to get the most out of their abilities, but do so without cutting corners.

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