As Alex Rodriguez continues to chase down HR #600, many people have said that pitchers don’t want to give up a milestone home run. Is it just me, or is that a bunch of bullshit? Broadcasters in the media seem to think that players pitch around these hitters in the hunt for a milestone home run and don’t give them anything to hit, because they don’t want to go into the history books like that. The idea is that players don’t want their whole career to fade into the background, and be known for giving up a milestone home run.
First off, why would it be embarrassing to serve up a home run to one of the greatest players to ever play the game? All of those who are in search for these milestones are elite players. If you’re a superstar player, let’s say..a Roger Clemens or a Nolan Ryan..does it really have any impact on your career? Maybe a little note on their profile, but who would really care?
Al Downing was not a superstar player, but he served up Henry Aaron’s 715th home run on April 8, 1974. You can say that he was remembered as “that guy” who gave up the home run, but I don’t see it that way. Downing should be remembered for being a really good major league pitcher (123W 3.22ERA 1,639K’s), who played for the Yankees, Dodgers, Athletics and Brewers during his 17-year career. Than there’s a guy like Mike Bacsik, a journeyman pitcher who served up HR #756 to Barry Bonds. Now, wouldn’t a guy like him want that attention? I’m sure a guy of his caliber wasn’t being looked at very much. Now, he’s in the record books, linked to one of the best players to ever play the game. I’m sure he also gets a lot of autograph requests because of it as well.
What I’m trying to say is, if you’re a good ballplayer yourself, what kind of trouble will giving up a milestone home run do to your career? On the other hand, you can be a journeyman pitcher or a guy that doesn’t get much attention, and you start to get noticed because of it.
In the minds of Yankees fans, A-Rod’s 600th HR might be a big deal, but the rest of baseball doesn’t seem to care. Right now, it’s just another milestone for Alex to check off. Wait until he approaches Ruth, Aaron and Bonds..that’s when it will get interesting.
M. B. Rozell
Kevin Rozell
Unfortunately, you probably served up the worst possible example. Regardless of how well Downing pitched, he is only remembered for one thing: giving up Hank Aaron’s 715th career dinger. I guarantee if you go to a card show, that’ll be the only thing mentioned about him.
It may not be right, but it’s life.
Besides, the pitchers are out there to compete, as well. It’s not like any of them are going to intentionally put 89mph fastballs right down the middle until A-Rod belts one out. After all, they’re being paid to get him out.
I will be SO happy when this all over and done with, and we can get back to simply playing baseball again.
I wouldnt mind serving up a fat one to Arod.
Ahaha lol @Roy. I wouldn’t mind serving Alex Rodriguez any milestone homet run. And I totally agree with this article. I’m really, it’s compleltely bull when people say that a pitcher doesn’t want to give up a milestone homerun because they don’t want to be known as “that guy” who gave it up. Giving up that homerun will eventually happen; it’s inevitable. Alex just needs to find that rhythm and he’ll finally check number 600 off.