Sports
Column: The longer the wait, the better for baseball
Anyone who has followed baseball for at least this season knows the drama that is Barry Bonds.
First there’s the possible retirement, then the steroid allegations, then the chase to catch Babe Ruth on the all-time home run list, and now he is “attempting” to pass him.
That’s all fine with me, granted Bonds isn’t my favorite player and in all honesty, I think eventually Alex Rodriguez or Albert Pujols will pass him before their careers are over, barring any significant injury. Records are set year after year and they are carried from one generation to the next. Some may stand forever, like Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak, but others like Hank Aaron’s 755 career home runs, will eventually fall, especially with the size and strength of today’s hitters.
Here’s my only problem with Bonds and his rush to baseball immortality. He says it’s not important to him, that he doesn’t play baseball for himself. He plays for his team and as long as they win games, he’s happy. All that said, why is the guy, who many have said is the greatest hitter in the game, taking so long to pass Ruth.
I have followed the success, or lack there of, of Bonds and his chase in recent weeks because with any luck we will have it in our paper when it does happen because it will, eventually. However, there is no rush to pass Ruth because stadiums are filled wherever the San Francisco Giants play and ESPN and other networks are getting great ratings because we are all anxiously awaiting and watching with hopes of seeing history. We all want to be able to talk about it at work the next day, and someday when we are all watching a new generation of baseball players, we will be able to say I remember when ... But for baseball and even Bonds himself, his home run chase has taken center stage, as it should. Allegations of steroid use, which surrounded Bonds throughout the preseason, have been put on the back burner while baseball fans of the world watch and wait.
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, knowing he and the rest of the big wigs in baseball are just as involved and as guilty in the steroid issue as the players themselves, does not want baseball, which has seen numerous labor strikes, a steroid controversy and is losing fans to the mighty NFL, to have another black eye. So, why not draw this thing out and get as much bang for your buck as you possibly can. Right behind Bonds is Pujols, who may very well make his own run at the single season home run record this year. Once again, another positive for baseball that takes the focus away from the negatives.
Maybe Bonds and Selig aren’t the best of friends, but both have something to gain from a prolonged home run chase. Bonds has been sitting on 714 home runs since May 20. Heading into San Francisco’s weekend series with the Colorado Rockies, Bonds has rested for two days and should be ready to swing for the fences. Will he finally end the suspense with a towering shot into McCovey Cove or will he drag it out even longer with more 0-for-2 with two walks games. I guess we’ll all just have to wait and watch and see if Selig gives the go-ahead.
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Poolville Hall of Honor induction ceremony scheduled for Saturday
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Sports briefs - March 19, 2010
Coyotes split DH with Cisco nine
Staff Report
Weatherford College continued its early conference -season trend of splitting contests Wednesday, dropping the first game of a double header played at Cisco, but bouncing back in a pitcher's duel to take the nightcap, 2-1.
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Lady Roos blow past Abilene in district premier
It was the delayed kickoff to the 2010 District 3-5A season, and the Weatherford Lady Roos were ready to go. Playing a day later because of wet field conditions, the Lady Roos pulled no punches, handily winning Wednesday night, 9-0, at Shirley Hall Middle Field.
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Weatherford falls to Lady Elks on Senior Night
With a playoff spot sewn us, as well as Senior Night and Spring Break week, the Weatherford Lady Roos had plenty of distractions floating around. Though the effort was there, the Lady Roos came up short against Burleson Tuesday night, 1-0, in Weatherford’s last home game.
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Peaster grad, SAGU headed to NAIA basketball tourney
Little did Southwestern Assemblies of God basketball player Gabby Bruner know two years ago when signing her letter-of-intent to play for the Lady Lions, she might be thrust on the center stage of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ Championship Tournament. But it is indeed a reality, as the SAGU ladies prepare to play in the first round of the tourney on Wednesday, in Jackson, Tenn.
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Woods will return to golf at Masters
PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) — For Tiger Woods, this figures to be a Masters like no other.
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Roos baseball, softball rescheduled
Due to Tuesday's local weather, Weatherford High School baseball and softball games have been rescheduled.
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Coyotes split double header, blemish McClennan's record
With McLennan's first pitch to Weatherford College leadoff hitter Bryson Myles Sunday, it appeared the Coyotes' bats were already as warm as the weather at Roger Williams Ballpark.
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Roos lose in shootout to North Crowley, still gain playoff berth
Losing in a shoot out was not something the Weatherford Kangaroos has planned on Friday night, falling to North Crowley, 1-0. However, the sting of the loss was countered by the knowledge that the Roos will still retain a spot in the playoffs in District 3-5A.
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Davis inks soccer plans for Drury University
ALEDO — North Texas Area soccer stand-out and Aledo High school senior Thomas Davis has signed a letter of intent to play NCAA soccer with the Drury University Panthers in Springfield, Missouri.
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Poolville Hall of Honor induction ceremony scheduled for Saturday
