Didn't that night PERFECTLY define Barry's career? He finally hit a HR to break the record. Then the following events took place:
He stands at home plate like he is Rocky Balboa bringing attention to himself.
He rounds the bases and none of the Nationals shake his hand and only one is visible clapping (the second baseman who is doing a light "golf clap" to be polite).
He gets to home plate where his son has already jumped over the barrier once contact was made and waiting for him at home plate. His son waits and Barry gets home, puts his arms up in the air drawing more attention to himself (though he'll say it was for Bobby). Yet he never gave his son a hug or even a slap on the back or a rubbing of his head. His son hugged him while Barry kept focused on of course, himself. (And when his young daughter came out, he put his arm around her for all of like 2 seconds and couldn't even bother lifting her up.)
Then he goes in the dugout and not very many people on his own team seem very genuinely excited for Barry. They give him the courtesy congrats and no more than a few minutes later, the camera shot shows Barry sitting ALL BY HIMSELF on the bench. In this, his great moment of triumph, none of his teammates are sitting all around him celebrating with him.
Then the next inning starts, the crowd cheers as he comes off the field in the "double switch." Yet there is no "curtain call" for Barry from the fans. Why? Because they all just wanted to see the record broken and most could care less about selfish Barry.
In short, I encourage everyone to watch the video when Mark McGwire hits his historic Home Run. Watch and compare what happens. Both teams are GENUINELY excited for him. The umpires congratulate him. The crowd is in an absolute FRENZY and want more, more and more McGwire.
The best part about Barry's homer was seeing the class presented by Hank Aaron. Hank knows this record is obviously tainted, yet he still rose above it and was the bigger person... something that Barry could never, ever be.
It is sad that the Giants have had such class act players like Willie McCovey and Frank Robinson, yet associate themselves with the likes of Willie Mays and Barry Bonds instead. While all 4 are outstanding players, the former two were humble and classy, while the latter two were selfish, "look-at-me" individuals. It is the difference between comparing a different pair of San Francisco stars: Jerry Rice's class and humbleness versus Terrell Owens' "look-at-me" selfish attitude.
