A few years back, when Barry Bonds was chasing Hank Aaron, Bonds supporters claimed fans did not want Bonds succeed because he was black.
This past Thursday when the Reds visited the Phillies, Philadelphia fans showed race is not the issue with home run milestones. Cheating is.
In the ninth inning of the last game of a four-game series, Ken Griffey Jr. came up to bat vs. Cole Hamels. The Phillies were ahead 5-0. Hamels was going for a complete game shutout. Griffey Jr. hit one deep to center field, the crowd went crazy...the cheers quickly died when Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino made the catch at the warning track.
- B/R Ticket Guide
As Junior returned to the dugout the sellout Philadelphia crowd gave him a standing ovation..
Philadelphia crowds are considered one of the worst in all of sports, yet Junior, a visiting player, received a standing "O" from them. If race were an issue with baseball fans and home run records, wouldn't the Philly crowd boo Griffey Jr. the way they booed Barry Bonds?
Barry Bonds was booed because he was a cheater, and he ruined the best record in all of sports. Bonds can hide behind the race card all he wants; the bottom line is, he cheated and no fan respects him or his record for it. Fans respect the real home run kings, guys who did it honestly through hard work and class guys named Mays, Aaron, and Griffey Jr.
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7 months ago
I think it's pretty evident that race isn't playing a big role in this chase.
7 months ago
Ryan,
It sounds like you're a 9 year old. Do you even have an opinion about the article?
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