Grumpy Old Men Revisited
Last week’s Baseball Weekly featured a cover story focusing on Barry Bonds and Babe Ruth, asking the burning question: Whose 700 home runs are more impressive?
Jeebus help us. Can’t we just agree that they’re both pretty damned impressive and move on?
Just another example of how baseball fans will do anything to keep its grip on the ghosts of its glorious past at the expense of the living. Did NHL fans put up such a fuss when Wayne Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe? Did basketball fans wail and gnash their teeth when Michael Jordan blew past Bob Cousy and Rick Barry? No – they said, “Damn, we’re lucky we’re here to see these great players play.”
Why can’t baseball fans do that? As Jim pointed out, Joe DiMaggio won’t be any less great if someone breaks his hitting streak record. Babe Ruth won’t be any less great when Bonds gets his 715th home run. Maybe I’m just naïve, but I think it’s possible to enjoy the feats of contemporary players without dishonoring those who came before them.
Jeebus help us. Can’t we just agree that they’re both pretty damned impressive and move on?
Just another example of how baseball fans will do anything to keep its grip on the ghosts of its glorious past at the expense of the living. Did NHL fans put up such a fuss when Wayne Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe? Did basketball fans wail and gnash their teeth when Michael Jordan blew past Bob Cousy and Rick Barry? No – they said, “Damn, we’re lucky we’re here to see these great players play.”
Why can’t baseball fans do that? As Jim pointed out, Joe DiMaggio won’t be any less great if someone breaks his hitting streak record. Babe Ruth won’t be any less great when Bonds gets his 715th home run. Maybe I’m just naïve, but I think it’s possible to enjoy the feats of contemporary players without dishonoring those who came before them.
posted by Bob at
7:49 PM
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