Selig's Reaction to 755
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by Rawbeezeitz
We all know that Barry hit #755, tying Hank Aaron for the all-time homerun lead. This topic has been written about before, both here on AGM and elsewhere.
Here's what interests me: How MLB Commissioner Buddy Selig reacted to the homerun.
I can't find a video of this on YouTube just yet, so here's a short description. Bonds hits the ball to left-center, over the fence for 755. The camera shows fans scrambling for the ball, then shows Bonds' family hugging and cheering. Then the camera shows Selig. He's standing up, but not applauding. He looks confused and befuddled, as if this were his first baseball game, and he doesn't know why someone is jogging around the bases. Then he opens his mouth in what appears to be a short yawn, or perhaps a powerful belch. His confused demeanor doesn't change, and the camera cuts to something else.
Selig must have known that ESPN would be showing him during the game, and during the homerun. He must have known that whatever he did in his reaction would be interpreted as MLB's unofficial reaction to the homerun. But what the hell does this seemingly drunk and stupefied reaction say? Is it an attempt at showing apathy? Was Bud trying to show that he doesn't care? Was Bud trying to show that he and Major League Baseball don't know how to react? Or was he simply being an idiot, and being caught completely unaware that the cameras were on him? This man is the head honcho of Major League Baseball and he doesn't have the wherewithal to realize he's on TV, and his reaction will be observed and endlessly analyzed by sports fans everywhere?
Then there's Selig's statement. Here's an excerpt:
"no matter what anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds' achievement is noteworthy and remarkable."
Noteworthy means it is worthy of being noticed. A stop sign is noteworthy. A cloud is noteworthy. A great many things are noteworthy.
Remarkable means that it is something that merits a remark. It is similar to noteworthy, except that not only do people notice something, they make a remark about it. A stop sign with graffiti on it is remarkable. A cloud shaped like a horse is remarkable. Many unamazing things are remarkable.
Some more adjectives Selig could have used to describe Barry Bonds homerun: visible, loud, well-hit, real, actual, audible, singular, distinct, fast, moving, noticeable, fine, extant, successful, struck, different, seen, observed, watched, heard.
The vagueness coming from MLB regarding this issue is irritating. I'd rather that Selig and MLB treat this situation as if there were no controversy surrounding it. I'd rather put up with that brand of BS instead of them repeating and rephrasing "I don't know what to think."
Congratulations to the good people at BALCO for their accomplishment last night in San Diego. I know these are hard times for that organization, but moments like last night prove that they're all worthwhile.
