Ever since Babe Ruth revolutionized the game and started sending baseballs over the fence at a then-historic rate, home runs have been arguably the most exciting part of the game. I’ve seen my fair share of ridiculously impressive home runs. Ryan Howard hitting one into the third deck at Citizens Bank Park or hitting one OVER the brick wall in center field (both estimated 490+ feet). Barry Bonds hitting one off the McDonald’s sign in right field between the second and third decks that I’m almost positive was still on its way up. Even watching Vinny Bonaddio crush a fastball during an IM game in high school that caught way too much of the plate from my seat behind home plate was pretty amazing (in fairness, I called for it low and away. It was middle in. Bye bye). There always was just something about watching a home run. But in today’s game, that magic has faded. Sure, people still stand and cheer when one gets hit. But if Pujols, who currently leads the league with 8 home runs, goes on to hit 65 this year, people would be impressed, but not surprised (side note, I would LOVE if Pujols hit 65 this year. He’s on my team in a home run league I’m in with my friends from college. Which, by the way, I’m winning as of now. Yea, yea, it’s April. But you hear that Mac? IF PUJOLS HAD 0, I’D STILL BE BEATING YOU). When Babe Ruth hit 60 in 1927, it was the most incredible thing anyone had ever seen. And for 34 years, that mark stood until Roger Maris hit 61 in a season. And for 37 years, that mark stood. Then Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa starred in an unforgettable, PED-induced home run chase that was unlike any baseball had ever seen and probably will ever see again. From 1869 – 1997, only 2 men hit 60 or more home runs. In 1998, McGwire hit 70 and Sosa hit 66. In 1999, McGwire hit 65 and Sosa hit 63. In 2001, Sosa hit 64 and Barry Bonds hit 73. In four years, the number 60 was topped six times, and 70 was even topped twice. All three of those players who did it, however, were tied to positive tests for PEDs. So when Ryan Howard hit 58 in 2006, some just scoffed and claimed PEDs. When Jose Bautista hit 54 in 2010, allegations of PEDs were thrown around so much, you couldn’t separate Bautista from steroids, even though he’s never tested positive. Same with Chris Davis when he hit 53 last year. As entertaining as they were to watch, the Steroids Era of baseball forever changed the way we see game and left such a black mark that anyone associated with that time period is suffering with their Hall of Fame credentials (see Biggio, Craig).
Which is why it seems as though the number 500 just doesn’t have that same feel. We watched Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez power their way to 762 and 654 home runs respectively (no matter the amount of asterisks we put next to their names). We saw the home run be transformed from something that was once an art, so majestic and awe-inspiring, to something that any Roid Raged behemoth with a toothpick could do. Some baseball “purists” still see Maris’ 61 as the true single season home run record and Hank Aaron’s 755 as the all-time home run record. I don’t happen to be one of them. I’m in the camp that, regardless of the “black mark” the era left on the game, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and even eventually Alex Rodriguez (among others) should all take their rightful places in Cooperstown. It’ll never happen. But it’s the biggest reason why we’ve taken for granted the once monumental achievement that Albert Pujols reached on Tuesday night. Pujols will continue to hit his home runs and climb the historical ladder. He may even get to 600 or 700 one day. He still even has a chance at 763. But it just won’t have that same appeal as it once did. Fans have become numb to the once great home run. And it really is a shame.