We are approaching a historic milestone, with an equally compelling game operations-related question. As Barry Bonds approaches the all-time home run record and does so with the winds of scandal in his sails, I will be interested to watch how any team (including his own) treats the milestone and produces the surrounding celebration.

Of course it’s more likely that Bonds will drive #755 and #756 into McCovey Cove than on the road (teams often rest players strategically to have the event happen at home), one has to wonder how the event will be handled if the Giants are on the road. This was discussed in a previous blog about the Nashville Predators. But you also have to wonder how it will play out regardless of the location due to the shadowy steroid scandal and the relative unpopularity of Bonds the player.

I just finished reading Game of Shadows this month, which was a really powerful book covering how steroids and performance enhancing drugs have altered sports and entertainment. If you don’t have a strong dislike for Barry Bonds before you read the book…you will after. However the book is about much more than Bonds. It’s about the culture of sports, the pressure to find any edge, and how powerfully tilted the incentives are to cheat. There is a lot of evidence that Bonds used every edge (legal and otherwise) to catch Aaron, so the jury of public opinion regarding the accomplishment may be harsh and any celebration will certainly have mixed emotions and sentiment.

It would be impossible to ignore the feat, but building the proper tribute will be closely scrutinized. Too much glitz and ceremony and you may look foolish if history judges his fantastic career numbers with an asterisk. Not enough and you risk not paying the proper tribute to a record that has stood for over 30 years. The eyes of the world will certainly be watching.

Looking back at Aaron’s 716th home run (see the video below) I think the Atlanta Braves actually did a great job with the celebration….relying on fireworks and a crowd who knew they were a part of history to highlight the feat. I just wonder if they can find the two guys who chased Aaron around the bases to play an honorary role this time around. (read more about the Aaron home run also below).

–Cudo

PS: In the interest of keeping the blog on track above I didn’t give enough praise to Game of Shadows, which is outstanding and timely. I strongly recommend it.

Click more for the #716 video, more on Aaron’s home run chase, an audio story, and another book link on Hank Aaron and the Home Run that Changed America.

As the 1974 season began, Aaron’s pursuit of the home run record caused a small controversy. The Braves opened the season on the road in Cincinnati with a three game series. Braves management wanted him to break the record in Atlanta. Therefore, they were going to have Aaron sit out the first three games of the season. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ruled that he had to play two in the first series. He played two out of three, tying Babe Ruth’s record in his very first at bat off Reds pitcher Jack Billingham, but did not hit another home run in the series.[17]

In Atlanta, 53,775 people showed up on April 8, 1974. It was a Braves record for attendance. Aaron hit career home run 715 in the 4th inning off Los Angeles pitcher Al Downing. The ball landed in the Braves bullpen where reliever Tom House caught it. While cannons were fired in celebration, two college students ran alongside Aaron around the base paths. Aaron’s mother ran onto the field as well. (from wikipedia)

• Audio story on Hank Aaron and the Home Run that changed America.
• Hank Aaron and the Home Run that changed America