Aaron Will Not Reconsider Decision

NEW YORK (AP) -- Even if Barry Bonds is poised to break the home run record right there in Atlanta, Hank Aaron is not going.

Period.

"I will never reconsider my decision," Aaron told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday from his adopted hometown.

Bonds is 10 homers from matching the 755 mark that Aaron set during a 23-year career with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, and the Milwaukee Brewers.

Aaron doesn't plan to see the milestone homer in person, wherever it might happen. And that includes Atlanta, if it takes that long -- Bonds and his San Francisco Giants don't play there until mid-August.

"No, I won't be there," he said.

Asked why, Aaron said: "I traveled for 23 years, and I just get tired of traveling. I'm not going to fly to go see somebody hit a home run, no matter whether it is Barry or Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig or whoever it may be. I'm not going any place. I wish him all the luck in the world."

Aaron said he had no wisdom for Bonds as the Giants slugger pursued the mark.

"I don't have any advice whatsoever, no advice to anybody," Aaron said.

The interview largely covered a classical music composition by Richard Danielpour whose subjects are Aaron, Jackie Robinson and Josh Gibson.

Aaron for the most part declined to discuss Bonds, whose run for the record has been tainted by allegations that he has used performance-enhancing drugs.

Aaron, a Braves senior vice president, said he follows his team closely, but usually by television from home rather than going to Turner Field.

As to what he might be doing when Bonds broke the record, Aaron said, "I have no idea, probably playing golf somewhere."

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[Disturbed]

I don't understand why this is a big deal.

When Aaron broke the all time record no one made a special trip to see him do it. The commish wasn't there. Babe Ruth obviously couldn't be there.

I just think its the media making a bunch of noise over nothing.

Thats true but that was a long time ago....this was a long time running HR record, this isn't something small.

I think deep down inside its something to do with jelousy as well....I think its more then just not wanting to travel.

[Disturbed]

Its because Aaron thinks Bonds cheated. He said it a few years back but won't touch the subject now.

I don't think it has anything to do with him being jealous.

Its just not Aaron who won't be there. Bud Selig has said he won't attend it either. Teams have said if he breaks the record in thier park they won't celebrate it.

Baseball in general doesn't want Bonds to break the record because of the belief he did steroids and HGH. This is opinion, but when you see all the comments coming out that is my belief.

If A-Rod goes after the record I think you will see a scene much like when McGwire and Sosa were chasing Maris' 61 home runs. They were cheered in every park. People didn't care if it was obvious that they had been doing something.

My only guess there is that people dislike Bonds already because of his attitude while McGwire/Sosa were fan and media friendly.

Anyways, back to the original point. I don't think this has anything to do with him being jealous. Aaron has said if he is at 755 when he comes to play in Atlanta he won't attend the games either, even though he lives there. He doesn't even go the games now and he is the teams VP.

I think it all comes down to people believing the record is going to be tainted and not wanting to have anything to do with it.

[SicK NasTy]

Disturbed just said what I think completely. I don't think its because Aaron's jealous or anything, I think it is simply that he believes Bonds cheated. As do I, heck if I were him, and somebody cheating broke my record that I worked long and hard for, I don't even think I'd want to talk about that man.

[Short]

Yeah, Aaron thinks/knows Bonds cheated and doesn't want any part of it...

The thing about McGwire/Sosa was that this was before any of the BALCO crap blew up...sure, there was always suspicion of cheating in baseball but people were generally naive to it. If McGwire was to return to baseball and somehow make a run at the record, you could bet your bottom dollar he'd be booed in every stadium after his steroid testimony and "not talking about the past" or whatever, no matter how nice the guy is.

[ItalianStallion]

Get real pyro, it has nothing to do with jealousy. Aaron has held what used to be the most coveted record in all of sports (might still be) for 30 some years now. He's even said it himself that he's held it long enough; it's time for someone else to come along and take it. However, just like everyone else has said, no one including Hank wants to see Bonds take it because everyone thinks he's a cheater.

I respect the fact that Aaron won't go to see it. I think it's a shot in Bonds' face and Bonds should feel very bad for himself, but the guy is too conceited to even care.

[cashpath]

if EVERYONE doesn't want bonds to set the recird then why not just walk him every at bat? Sure you may cost your team a game (I doubt it) by walking him, but it will ensure he doesn't get the record..

I guess not EVERYONE doesn't want to see him get the record.

[Ghs]

I think the difference between McGwire and Bonds is that McGwire was public with the stuff he took. I've read stuff where reporters saw andro in the top of his locker but it was in the days before baseball outlawed it.

[DolphinsFanatic]

Originally Posted by Ghs

I think the difference between McGwire and Bonds is that McGwire was public with the stuff he took. I've read stuff where reporters saw andro in the top of his locker but it was in the days before baseball outlawed it.

Well I wouldn't go that far in saying that McGwire was public about the stuff he took. Remember his No Comment 5th Amendment plea in front of congress? He was only open about the andro because it wasent a banned substance at the time but he will never admit to using roids because they have been banned for quite some time. I still think we should let everyone from the roids era in the HOF because a majority of the players were using including pitchers that were throwing to the batter who were using.

I know that sucks for players in the hall from prior eras that werent using but who is to say they really weren't using either. I mean you have to take all of this into consideration they cheated when a majority of big namers and small namers were cheating so they still accomplished a good career against cheaters even though they were cheaters themselves.

But in Bonds case, I think he should go to the HOF no question but I dont think his Home Run record should count due to him cheating and Aaron and Ruth (who by the way could of cheated we don't know for sure but probably didnt due to the body structures). Records should remain in tact for people if the person who brakes it is known to be cheating.

[SlickRick1382]

Sad day though in baseball to see the record broken and nothing done about it .... Guess we have to wait till A-Rod gets there if he can since Griffey fell short with his never ending list of injuries ...

[ItalianStallion]

No kidding... I motion that once Bonds breaks the record, Pujols and A-Rod's homers count double.

[manofmen]

Originally Posted by ItalianStallion

No kidding... I motion that once Bonds breaks the record, Pujols and A-Rod's homers count double.

I second the motion adding an amendment that Hank Aaron's and Babe Ruth's HR also get doubled.