Maybe This is What It's About

I would like to offer my congratulations to Barry Bonds on becoming baseball's career home run leader. It is a great accomplishment, which required skill, longevity, and determination. Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball, and I have been priviledge to hold this record for 33 of those years. I'll move over now, and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historical achievement, My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dream. - Hank Aaron

On August 7, 2007, Barry Bonds hit his 756th career home run at Mays Field, passing Hank Aaron as the new home run leader. It was truly one of the greatest moments in all of sports, one that will now be shown countless times, as is the video of Hank Aaron trotting around the bases with two long-haired fans.

At 8:51 PM, Mike Bacsik gave up Barry's 756th home run. He went back to the dugout to collect himself, but listened to Barry's emotional speech and Hank Aaron's message. Bacsik is the son of another former Major Leaguer, a pitcher of the same name, Michael Bacsik. Bacsik Sr. faced Aaron two months after Aaron hit 755, but did not yield 756. During the press conference, Bacsik Jr. addressed the questions from the media, in essence saying, "There's no shame in giving up a home run to Barry Bonds." He had a demeanor about him, one of friendly acknowledgment that he and Bonds would forever be joined in history.

In that moment, he became a child again.

Every record, every accomplishment, every milestone, is built up by a number of smaller things, seemingly insignificant in the light of the achievement itself. During his interview with Mike Krukow and his press conference after the game, Barry said he applied one piece of advice from his father, Bobby Bonds, that is, to load his back leg. During the 10 minute on-field celebration, Barry lost himself when he thanked his father. He doubled over, but with his fist still pointed toward the night sky, his voiced choked and teary.

Number 756 did not just break a record. It turned the 43,000 at Mays Field and the millions at home watching into a human again, a child again. In one moment, people of both the younger generation and the older generation were united in that simple, pure, untroubled happiness only a child experiences.

And maybe that's what so great about the game. It humanizes us, it touches the child-like awe and appreciation for the great in us. Maybe that was what Bonds and Bacsik were feeling last night. Maybe that is what keeps us, the children of baseball, together.

756

The facts:

• Time: 8:51 PM (PST)
• Count: 3-2
• Pitch speed: 86 mph
• Pitches: 7
• Distance: 435 ft

Bacsik deals... and Bonds hits it high... hits it deep!... it is out of here!... 756!... Bonds stands alone. - Duane Kuiper

Congratulations Barry.

8/7 Giants vs Nationals

Sorry, I couldn't think of a partially clever title.

Zito will be on the mound tonight against a guy whose name I can't pronounce. It's spelled Bacsik, but I don't know if it sounds like basic or back-sick.

Most Giants fans, including me, are pretty displeased with the way Zito's been pitching this season, but I have some newfound respect for him when he pitched an inning of relief during the last game of the Padres series. He could have easily said no, but he sounded eager for some relief work.

"It's fun to help the team on a day when I didn't come to the yard thinking I would."

From pitching relief, Zito said he learned to focus on just one hitter at a time instead of thinking about going 6 or 7 innings, a practice he would take into today's start. In yesterday's post-game wrap, Kruk and Kuip were remarking that Zito also might have learned that he didn't need 60-100 warmup pitches but quite less.

First pitch at 7:15 tonight. Don't walk the stadium.

Graphing Madness (but Good Madness)

Mapping the NBA is a very interesting breakdown of all the teams in the NBA. It's a great article by tziller, who also runs SacTown Royalty, complete with graphs and a detailed analysis. I learned some surprising things in it, especially that the San Antonio Spurs are not dirty cheating scums. It sure seems they are though.

11th Hour Win

Hot damn
Giants 3
Nationals 2
WP: Hennessey
LP: King

The Giants are so good at getting into extra-inning messes. Thankfully, they got a rare win out of this one.

Timmy went a strong 7 innings, striking out 8, walking 5, and allowing only 1 run on 5 hits. He couldn't get a decision in this one, but helped out a bullpen that was maxed out in the Padres series. He hit from the mid 90's to low 100's with his fastball, once clobbering Ryan Zimmerman with one straight into the W of his batting helmet and then striking him out the next time up with a scorching 101 mph heater.

The Nats' Lannan pitched quite well too. He also went 7 innings, walking 5, striking out 2, and giving up only 1 run. Despite an error made by Jimenez's throwing error that allowed Timmy to reach 2nd and Davis to get on 1st, he got Vizquel to fly out and end the inning. He was able to keep Barry hitless, walking him once but sending him back to the bench with a foulout, DP ball, and a strikeout. I like Lannan. Hope he does well in the future.

Most of the Giants' offense came from Molina. I've tagged him for losing his clutch powers recently (either that or G-Rod stole them), but he came through. Bengie tied the game in the 1st with a ground ball that found a hole into left field that allowed Rajai Davis to score. He did it again in the 10th with a sacrifice grounder that got Winn to score and tie the game at 2-2.


Courtesy of Natto from McCovey Chronicles

The bottom of the 11th began with Klesko smoking the ball into right field for a double. The Nats' defense was lined up so that Triples Alley was taken away, but the rest of right field was left open. Roberts was intentionally walked, but Rajai got hit on the back of the hand to load the bases. I'm not sure if Rajai was even hit, seeing as the catcher seemed to be more in pain than Rajai was. It looked like the Giants wouldn't be able to get a run in, since Omar grounded into a fielder's choice that got Klesko thrown out at the plate.

Despite falling behind with 2 strikes, Randy Winn smoked a single into right field. Roberts scored the winning run. The walkoff celebration was kind of weird. Roberts was going in for a high-five, but the brim of his batting helmet bumped Winn's lip. He seemed okay though during the post game interview with Kruk and Kuip. Get some ice on that.


Sweeney's Irish beanie is pretty cool

Must See TV

How crazy will it get tonight?

Bonds is coming home on the verge of 756 and The Enchanter is starting on the hill tonight at 7.

Bonds and the rest of the lineup will be facing Nationals' pitcher Lannan for the first time. I wouldn't blame the kid if he doesn't want to be a trivia question. Lannan is a young lefty (1-0, 5.40 ERA) who just picked up his first win in his last start.

The Nats will be facing Timmy for the first time. Despite not having his usual control, Timmy limited the Dodgers to 2 hits and 1 run in 6 innings of work in his last start. I guess it's some sort of magic. He had one AAA game where he walked everybody and still shutout the other team.

Barry and Timmy. Let the pandemonium begin.

The Mohawk is Back

Matt Barnes is returning to the Warriors for one more year. He's expected to resign today to a 1-year, $3.5 million contract.

I love this guy. He's a player a coach can rely on every game for hustle, heart, and grit. Barnes has a great work ethic and take-no-prisoners attitude. He can play all 5 positions, take some floor burn for rebounds, and give aggressive fouls. I think he's a fun guy to be around, seeing as he came up with the pre-game Jax pat-down routine and chipped in with the Barkley Fave 5 video spoof. It's great to have him back on the team. Thanks for bringing back an influential player at the right price, Mully.