What's more impressive: Roger Clemens' 350 Wins or Barry Bonds' 755 home runs?

350 Wins

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by Jedidiah Johnson

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Let me preface this article with the admission that Barry Bonds is, arguably, the greatest hitter alive. Regardless of the steroid allegations(which unfortunately must be considered when discussing the validity of such an accomplishment as 750 home runs)Bonds would probably have been elected to the Hall of Fame based on his performance prior to the 2001 season. These facts aside, Roger Clemens' imminent accomplishment of 350 wins is not only more impressive, but will be more legitimately recognized in the baseball community as well. Let us delve further.
When considering the amount of time taken to accomplish their individual achievements, both Bonds and Clemens are comparably similar. Clemens entered into Major League Baseball in 1984, while Bonds debuted the professional stage in 1986. Both realized immediate success, consequently providing leadership and talent to their varied teams throughout their careers. The two men have appeared in numerous All Star games, won pennants, defied expectations of even the most pessimistic naysayers, and provided entertainment and highlight reel performances for the past two decades; their greatness is apparent. Greatness, though, is not always enough. Both men have been plagued at times throughout their professional existence, whether by injuries, as has been the case with Bonds, or by a myriad of team changes, as evidenced by Clemens' journeys. Despite these setbacks, Bonds and Clemens have piled up accolades until the question apparent was inescapable; which number is more significant, 755 or 350?
Consider the period in which both men play. The era of the "dead ball" has gone the way of the dinosaur, replaced with a more tightly wound ball that has made even the lightest of players(i.e. Alex Gonzales and Alfonso Soriano)into big swinging sluggers. Home runs abound in today's game, making a pitcher's job that much more difficult. At one time, bunting a runner from first to second was not only common, but expected. With the baseballs in circulation now, a free swinging home run is the rule. Also, look at the leaders in Home Runs and Wins categories; Cy Young tops the Wins list off with an astonishing 511, a number that will never be matched. Remember, Mr. Young pitched during the "dead ball" era, meaning that in today's game this feat will arguably never be accomplished again. Juxtapose this fact with the leader of the Home Run list, Henry Aaron at 755. Not only is Bonds on pace to break this record, but so is Alex Rodriguez, as was Ken Griffey Jr. not to long ago. Combine these facts with the designated hitter rule, and there is no reason why a player(or players) should not break the record of 755, given that they stay reasonably healthy. Once a pitcher begins to lose his velocity, his effectiveness is severely hampered. Therefore, the window of opportunity to reach these lofty goals is considerably smaller for a pitcher as opposed to a batter.
Although this evidence would, by most accounts, be sufficient enough to prove 350 wins to be superior to 755 home runs, there is also the steroid shadow to consider. True, steroids do not increase contact between bat and ball, but power is significantly effected. How much so is not known, and will probably never be measurable for that matter, but the fact that they are illegal is inexcusable. Barry Bonds has never been convicted of taking steroids. Regrettably, despite the notion that persons are considered "innocent until proven guilty", Bonds has become the poster child for steroid abusers. Whether or not he actually cheated(like so many others during the past two decades, let us not forget)is up for debate, but the shadow of doubt has crept down upon him, not soon to depart. In the eyes of many he is, and will forever be, guilty of cheating the game of baseball, America's Pastime, and fan's will not soon forget. So which accomplishment is more impressive? 755 home runs, who's legitimacy will always be argued around the water cooler, or 350 wins that has, and never will be, disputed? I think the answer speaks clearly for itself, with no shadow of doubt anywhere to be found.

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