http://vaughnsbar.blogspot.com/2007/08/tribute-to-barry-bonds-part-four.html

Bonds quotes are unreal, man. Check this out:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060330/ai_n16194706

http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/primate_studies/discussion/the_1975_all_star_game/

It was drawn from his 1975 Topps card.

Posted: 08 August 2007 08:32 AM

Dear Loungers:

As many of you know, my dad just died. 63 years young. I have to share a story that ties baseball history to our souls. I love Henry Aaron, and who he was and what he accomplished. I still remember when Hank hit 715; I was 8 years old. I never liked Bonds. In any event, my dad called my brother last week, and said he wanted to actually see Bonds break the record. He was a huge sports fan, and knew history was in the making, even though he didn’t particularly like Bonds. He wanted to witness the historic baseball event. My brother, who is the coolest guy around, told dad that Bonds would tie Aaron’s record on Saturday. And, Bonds did tie it on Saturday. My Dad called my brother on Monday, and said, “My son is psycic! You were right. Holy ####! When will Bonds hit 756?” My brother said, “Tuesday night dad. He’ll hit it on Tuesday night.” My dad replied, “Ok, you know what you’re talking about . . . I’m staying up all night tomorrow to see THIS! I am ready to bet the house on him hitting it tomorrow night.” That was Monday morning. My dad died that evening.

My brother told me this story last night (Tuesday). I said to my brother last night, “If Bonds hits 756 tonight, it will be the spookiest #### I’ve ever experienced.” My brother laughed and and agreed. I watched Bonds’s first two at-bats, and then went to bed. My 12-year old daughter woke me up this morning . . . “Dad, Dad, Bonds hit a homer last night, in the 5th inning!” I just cried. Dad didn’t even get to see it.

Baseball links to life, and death. Forever in my mind, the new Bonds mark will have a meaning I never expected. Dad didn’t get to see 756. There wasn’t much we could talk about over the years (more on this later, perhaps), except sports, which always dominated over conversations. Dad wanted to see 756, as a sports fan. He didn’t get to see it.

Thanks for all of the caring posts yesterday Loungers. Trust me, it really helped.

Catfish

9: “Maybe I’ll be able to be 100% behind A-Rod”

Ugh. My lunch is rising. Any other possibilities? Please, I’m begging you. How old is Ryan Howard? Probably too old already to make an assault on the record, I guess. Howard shows up in a great scene in The Soul of Baseball, his then teammate Kenny Lofton (yes, Lofton was a Phillie for a second, apparently) dragging Howard over to Buck O’Niel and telling him that Howard was “the new Josh Gibson.” Howard had yet to really break through. I don’t have the book in front of me, but the exchange between O’Neil and Howard went something like this:

O’Neil: You got some power, son?
Howard: I guess so, sir, a little.
O’Neil: [Pause, staring up at the man-mountain.] Never be afraid to show your power, son! Swing hard!