# Bonds hits Homerun to tie Ruth - Racist Sportswriters to trash him again **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 20, 2006, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570 "2006-05-20T21:16:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/41 "2006-05-20T23:54:48Z")
[QUOTE=Jebus H. Christ] Wow. I don’t realize the media was writing those letters to Aaron or that for Bonds to suffering from racism it had to be one of the worst examples of racism in the history of baseball. [/QUOTE] Can we say “moving the goalposts?” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2006, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/42 "2006-05-20T23:57:19Z")
[QUOTE=Jebus H. Christ] The thread is about how the media and league treat Bonds not the fans. [/QUOTE] And an example of this racism would be…? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/43 "2006-05-21T00:14:49Z")
[QUOTE=Maureen] And an example of this racism would be…? [/QUOTE] That they don’t like him. Doy. Can’t you see the racism that’s right in front of you? **Jebus** , the examples I gave are what racism really looks like. To play the race card because someone isn’t being masturbated over in the media is demeaning to those that have actually faced racism, and diminishes the term itself. I’d say that I think you’re a jerk and an idiot, but I don’t want to be perceived as a racist. ---
**Author:** ![Jebus\_H.Christ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Jebus\_H.Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebus_H.Christ)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/44 "2006-05-21T00:32:00Z")
[QUOTE=Harborwolf] That they don’t like him. Doy. Can’t you see the racism that’s right in front of you? **Jebus** , the examples I gave are what racism really looks like. To play the race card because someone isn’t being masturbated over in the media is demeaning to those that have actually faced racism, and diminishes the term itself. I’d say that I think you’re a jerk and an idiot, but I don’t want to be perceived as a racist. [/QUOTE] So Bonds being treated different from white players is not racism because there are worse examples? I say when race plays _any_ part is how someone is treated it is racism. I guess you see it different. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/45 "2006-05-21T00:36:49Z")
I think the Maris family will attest that you don’t need to be black to catch grief for approaching a Ruthian record. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/46 "2006-05-21T00:50:41Z")
[QUOTE=Jebus H. Christ] So Bonds being treated different from white players is not racism because there are worse examples? [/QUOTE] He’s also treated differently from black players. So what’s your fucking point? ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/47 "2006-05-21T00:53:35Z")
[QUOTE=Jebus H. Christ] So Bonds being treated different from white players is not racism because there are worse examples? I say when race plays _any_ part is how someone is treated it is racism. I guess you see it different. [/QUOTE] All I see is a jerk and a cheat being treated like a jerk and a cheat. Examples have already been given as to how “different” his treatment at the hands of the media is versus white players of the same sterling characteristics. He hasn’t been. Unless you have more proof that the treatment of Bonds is race based, I stand by my points. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/48 "2006-05-21T00:55:04Z")
[QUOTE=Jebus H. Christ] So Bonds being treated different from white players is not racism because there are worse examples? [/quote] Depends. Is he being treated differently from those white players because he’s black, or because he’s a cheating lying dick who’s tarnished his own accomplishments with his behavior? > [@](#): > > I say when race plays _any_ part is how someone is treated it is racism. I guess you see it different. Nope. I see it exactly the same way as you. But so far, the only saying race plays a part is you. Oh, and the spoilt subject of your frothing OP. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/49 "2006-05-21T00:55:49Z")
I’m waiting for explicit proof that he is being as a dick by the media for race reasons rather than “giant headed, needle dick asshole” reasons. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/50 "2006-05-21T01:04:42Z")
Barry Bonds: How to be hated in baseball 1. Be an asshole to the press - Yes 2. Be an asshole to the fans - Yes 3. Admire your own home runs - Yes 4. Be an asshole to your teammates - Yes 5. Get manager fired - I think he missed this one, maybe he can still do it 6. Cheat by taking performance enhancing drugs - Poster Boy for said 7. Gamble on baseball - He’s clean on this one 8. Find a way to besmirch America - Clean on this one 9. Get caught using a corked bat - Clean but this is minor unless you make up a lame excuse about it. 10. Pursue a Ruthian Record without being squeaky clean - Not only violating this irrational one but has said publicly some less then nice things about Ruth. Big No-no. Bonds is batting around .600 on this one. He’s a jerk, he is disliked because he is a jerk. If a white ballplayer who was surly to most people and is overwhelmingly believed to be cheating with performance enhancing drugs was chasing down the record, they would be reviled in the press just as much. If and when A-Rod someday chases the record, he will be cheered on, but I guess he is an Uncle Tom. Can you only not be an Uncle Tom by not being a jerk? That sounds pretty horrible. You statements sound mighty racist to me. Jebus, you are being foolish if you believe this is a black / white issue. It is a jerk / not jerk issue. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Zetetic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/74df32/32.png) [@Zetetic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zetetic)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/51 "2006-05-21T01:32:36Z")
[QUOTE=fetus] 1. The media came down hard on Sammy Sosa because **he corked his bat**. Cry me a fuckin’ river, dude. He still doesn’t have to work a single hour for the rest of his life. [/QUOTE] and > [@What Exit?](#): > > 1. Get caught **using a corked bat** - Clean but this is minor unless you make up a lame excuse about it. (bolding mine) Could you explain what this means please? I’m guessing the bat is illegally amended in some fashion, if guessing I would say made lighter? As you can probably gather, I don’t know anything about baseball. Thanks in advance, mtk\_ ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/52 "2006-05-21T01:36:45Z")
[QUOTE=mtk\_] Could you explain what this means please? I’m guessing the bat is illegally amended in some fashion, if guessing I would say made lighter? As you can probably gather, I don’t know anything about baseball. Thanks in advance, mtk\_ [/QUOTE] The bat is drilled down into the heaviest part and cork is added. It does make the bat lighter, but that’s not really the point. You can have as heavy or light a bat as you like. Babe Ruth’s was over 40 oz. Barry’s is 31 oz. The upshot is, the ball goes further when it’s hit with a corked bat. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/53 "2006-05-21T01:38:47Z")
Oh, and using a corked bat in practice is legal, but not using one in a game. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/54 "2006-05-21T01:49:11Z")
[QUOTE=Maureen] Oh, and using a corked bat in practice is legal, but not using one in a game. [/QUOTE] Good explanation and in the past materials like Super Balls were also used. Graig Nettles is one that caught for this trick. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/55 "2006-05-21T01:51:34Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Good explanation and in the past materials like Super Balls were also used. Graig Nettles is one that caught for this trick. [/QUOTE] The video of which is hysterical. Pieces of bat and Superballs flying everywhere. Nettles at least had the good graces to look embarrassed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Zetetic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/74df32/32.png) [@Zetetic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zetetic)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/56 "2006-05-21T02:00:21Z")
[QUOTE=Maureen] The bat is drilled down into the heaviest part and cork is added. It does make the bat lighter, but that’s not really the point. You can have as heavy or light a bat as you like. Babe Ruth’s was over 40 oz. Barry’s is 31 oz. The upshot is, the ball goes further when it’s hit with a corked bat. [/QUOTE] Thanks. Follow up: OK, so obviously bats aren’t standardised then, but are there any guidelines in terms of material, weight, size, etc? Surely a longer bat would be swinging faster and would impart more force (and hence more distance to the ball) upon contact? Are any potential benefits worth the trade-offs to swingability? What? It’s a word… What about aluminium bats, are they just used for practice/amateurs/having-a-laugh-with-your-mates? (i’m working on the assumption that wood ones are standard) Thanks again, mtk\_ Oh, and apologies for the hijack. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/57 "2006-05-21T02:09:04Z")
[QUOTE=mtk\_] What about aluminium bats, are they just used for practice/amateurs/having-a-laugh-with-your-mates? (i’m working on the assumption that wood ones are standard) [/QUOTE] AFAIK, wooden bats are only required in the Major Leagues and aluminum ones are permissible everywhere else. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/58 "2006-05-21T02:09:30Z")
Aluminum bats aren’t used in the big leagues. I’m not sure why that STARTED, but as of late, it’s been illustrated that a fastball hit with an aluminum bat can literally kill someone when it comes in contact with their head. This is on a high school and collegiate (I think level), so a 100 mph fastball hit by a major league bat could probably take someone’s head off. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/59 "2006-05-21T02:15:40Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] AFAIK, wooden bats are only required in the Major Leagues and aluminum ones are permissible everywhere else. [/QUOTE] It is going to be hard for me to find the cites, but there are now schools and semipro leagues that use only Wooden bats. Additionally all of Minor League baseball uses Wooden Bats. ---
**Author:** ![Zetetic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/74df32/32.png) [@Zetetic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zetetic)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2006, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570/60 "2006-05-21T02:20:53Z")
Thanks again. …and we return to the pile-on at the bottom of the ninth! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bonds-hits-homerun-to-tie-ruth-racist-sportswriters-to-trash-him-again/357570.md?page=4)