Barry Bonds hit his 714th career home run on Saturday against the Athletics in Oakland. The ball sailed into the right field stands and into the glove of Tyler Snyder, a nineteen-year-old kid, who had it posted for sale on eBay before Bonds finished rounding the bases1.
Since Saturday, I've been trying to answer the question, "What is the meaning of 714?" Is it a noteworthy milestone or a meaningless number? Is it the meaning of life multiplied by 17? (Well, in fact, it is, but what does that mean?)
As with everything in the universe, it means different things to different sentient beings. While it would be interesting to speculate about what dolphins think 714 means, I'm guessing that since it doesn't concern fish, they haven't given it much consideration. So, I'll limit my speculation to humans.
To those who adore Bonds, 714 means achievement. Only one player in baseball history has hit more home runs and that man reached the mark 32 years ago. Hank Aaron reached 714 in 1974, 39 years after Babe Ruth set the record.
To those who believe Bonds used steroids, 714 means shame. His alleged cheating negates the milestone's historic value. 714 is just the latest tainted home run in a long string of tainted home runs. It is the spoiled fruit of the sport's juiced era.
To Bonds, 714 means superiority. His quest to surpass Ruth and Aaron is second only to his quest for a World Series ring. Bonds believes beating Ruth's record will prove he is better than the Babe. With his chances of winning the elusive ring dwindling, 714 means more now than ever.
To the league and the team owners, 714 means money. Despite the alleged use of steroids, stadiums in San Francisco, Houston and Oakland were sold out as baseball fans filled the seats for a chance to see Bonds tie the record. They'll continue to flock until Bonds beats it.
To the sports media, 714 means a reason for excessive coverage. Since the season began, they've been fattening the story up to milk it for every drop they can. Since 713, the local newscast has been showing clips of every Bonds plate appearance, be it a hit or an out. One night, the sportscaster was so focused on Barry, he forgot to mention if the Giants won or not.
To those who don't follow baseball, 714 means absolutely nothing. It's simply another distraction from world events that truly matter, like the fate of a racehorse with a shattered leg.
For me, I still don't know what 714 means. I know what I want it to mean, but with all of the controversy surrounding it, I doubt it does. I want to believe it is an accomplishment worthy of applause, not an asterisk. I want to believe Bonds reached the milestone with hard work and natural talent, not with the clear and the cream.
I guess my uncertainty stems from my ongoing denial. That explains why I still qualify any mention of steroids with the word "alleged". It helps me hold onto the fading hope that Bonds will be vindicated.
I actually can't wait until baseball shifts its attention away from Barry. I'm looking forward to celebrating a milestone that has unquestionably genuine meaning (as far as that is possible in the vacuum of professional sports). In my eyes, the next big one will be Craig Biggio's 3,000th hit. He is 154 hits away, which means he should reach it next season, if he stays healthy. I hope he does.
1 To be fair, a Kenyan could complete a marathon in the time it takes Bonds to round the bases.
