It is inevitable, it will happen and you may not like it. However, when Barry Bonds ties and subsequently breaks one of the most prestigious records in baseball, Henry Aaron will not be in attendance and that's fine with me.
Some sports columnists, radio talk hosts and Bobby Bonds Jr. , Barry's little brother, seem to take issue with Aaron's decision not to be present when the "great feat" or "disgrace" occurs.
"I'm not going to be around," is what the current home run king told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "I'd probably fly to West Palm Beach to play golf. "I don't want to be around that sort of thing anymore. I just want to be at peace with myself. I don't want to answer questions." My response, is there room in your foursome? Henry Aaron owes no explanation or justifiable reason for not being in attendance. I read where sports writer Rob Parker called Mr. Aaron a "coward" and feels he needs to openly take a stance regarding Bonds and the record chase.
Well, I did speak with Mr. Aaron and he is fine with the criticism besides, I have a feeling Parker is more upset that Mr. Aaron didn't agree to an interview.
Henry Aaron is a businessman and tends to the care of his mother. He is not obligated to Major Baseball League and can selectively choose which events to attend. Yes, it is his record that will be surpassed and it is this record that's surrounded by controversy. I say Barry Bonds is fortunate that Aaron hasn't made his opinion known. Be it wrong or right, imagine Bond's world if the great Henry Aaron publicly dissed the Giants slugger. It's an old cliche but remember, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
