What do you think....

by Adam1 on Sep 28, 2007 5:34 PM EDT

I was wondering what you guys thought of that designer idiot (I wont say his name and fall into the marketing trap) and the Bonds ball. It seemed like a big deal to me. Maybe the biggest thing that bothers me about it is the fact that he is pretending to be doing this for 'the public'. But really it's just a marketing thing. Not to mention the fact that he is interfering with baseball history.

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I love Mark Ecko as a business man and a personality ... He decided to spend his money and do what so many people say they would do. I think it's amazing, and I think Barry is just pissed about not getting that piece of history for himself. How could you not enjoy the entertainment factor, especially after so many Springs of Barry in the valley acting like a prima donna?

Listen to me, I got no reason to lie to you, don't make the same mistakes I made when I was young. F- a lotta women kid, not just one woman, a lotta women.

by npineda on Sep 28, 2007 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

Amen!

The guy shelled out $750,000... he's allowed to get some pub from it!

by johngordonma on Sep 28, 2007 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Works for me

Sure, it's a publicity stunt, but at least it's an amusing one. I hardly think that he is the one here who is most guilty of interfering with baseball history... Cooperstown gets the ball, which is only right, but there'll be no illusion about the public's opinion of the man who put it there.

by Jim McLennan on Sep 28, 2007 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

A lot

of people didnt like that Aaron broke it either. And more relevant... people would have voted the same on the Maris ball. Doesnt make it right. Maris' asterisk was removed many years later. This one can't be. We (the public) dont know all the facts yet.

by Adam1 on Sep 28, 2007 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I lolled

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Sep 28, 2007 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

I was amused

I hate Mark Ecko a lot (mainly due to selling his merchandise, i.e., "A rich guy tells you what's cool on the street") but this did make me laugh. Besides, his money, his call.

I'm not superstitious- it's bad luck.

by kishi on Sep 28, 2007 7:09 PM EDT reply actions

Also

I think the asterisk is a valid representation of the entire circumstances around the home run- regardless of what Bonds did or didn't do, it illustrates the skepticism of most every fan outside of San Francisco.

I'm not superstitious- it's bad luck.

by kishi on Sep 28, 2007 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Adam, I dont share the level of disdain

for Bonds that Jim & Nick apparently do, so I personally see the stunt as kind of arrogant and distasteful. But the notion of an asterisk is such a widely held feeling, regardless of what I think, that it carries historical significance here.

If Ecko defaced Tony Gwynn's 3000th hit ball, for example, on the grounds of some narrowly held belief about Gwynn, I'd have more of a problem with it. From an historical perspective, it almost doesnt matter if Ecko is justified or "right" here - yes, he's exploiting a controversial aspect of baseball history, but he's also reflecting and documenting that controversy. And the fact tens of millions of fans agree with him vehemently, gives his act of defacement some historical legitimacy, beyond any legal rights bestowed upon buying the ball.

by Diamondhacks on Sep 28, 2007 7:22 PM EDT reply actions

It feels almost dirty to admit,

but I agree with this diamondhacks post 100%.

by dahlian on Sep 29, 2007 4:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually Dahlian, I agree too.

And apparently, so does the Hall, according to Jim.

I don't have the same level of disdain for Bonds either, actually. I strongly, strongly dislike the guy, but I really have to respect what he's done, 'roids or otherwise.

The guy would have, I believe, been an easy HOFer even if he hadn't used the Cream and the Clear. That's what I see as the great tragedy; he could have been just one of the greats, but he had to cheat to try to be the greatest. Now he's got the numbers, but his legacy is forever tarnished.

The numbers cannot be ignored. It's a very tired argument to say that "it takes more than strength to hit home runs", but it's true. And as far as being an asshole.... well, as long as Ty Cobb's in the Hall, I cannot, in good conscience, hold anyone else's personality against them.

Come on, Sandy Baby, loosen up. You're too tight.

by DbacksSkins on Sep 29, 2007 4:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Arrogant? Quite the opposite

If Ecko had decided unilaterally to brand the ball and send it to the Hall of Fame, I'd see your point. But he spent three-quarters of a million dollars of his own money...then stepped back, and let the fans decide what to do with the ball. That's the very opposite of arrogant: it's giving the silent majority a chance to be heard.

Distasteful? Well, certainly, that $750K would feed a lot of starving children. But if Ecko hadn't bought the ball, someone else would - perhaps local resident, Todd McFarlane. And really, if you want distasteful, you only need to look at Bonds' behavior over the past few years: lying, cheating, and deceit have become second-nature to him now, like breathing out and breathing in. And bonus points, but probably negative street-cred, if you get that reference!

by Jim McLennan on Sep 29, 2007 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

My Unfair Lady

Then they'll march you, Barry Bonds to the wall
And Mark Ecko says: 'Jimmy, sound the call.'
As they raise their rifles higher,
I'll shout 'Ready! Aim! Fire!'
Oh-ho-ho, Barry Bonds,
Down you'll go, Barry Bonds.
Just you wait!

by Diamondhacks on Sep 29, 2007 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

That's very catchy. They should play it at the 29 stadiums which do not employ Bonds next year, whenever he comes to visit. :-)

by Jim McLennan on Sep 29, 2007 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Literally, LOL

I always hesitate to use that acronym, but I actually did. Hilarious.

I'm not superstitious- it's bad luck.

by kishi on Sep 30, 2007 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd like to see him shot

What a jackass. Yeah Bonds may have cheated and whatever, but why deface the ball if you're giving it to the hall anyway? You know how easy it'll be for the hall to just not display the side of the ball with the asterik on it? What a waste of time.

Bob Melvin Sucks

by nihil67 on Sep 28, 2007 7:25 PM EDT reply actions

Actually

Heard word (TAP over on DBBP) that an HoF rep said Cooperstown will display the ball as is, since it believes in recording historical accuracy and that the branding reflects the public's thoughts and sentiments at this time in history. The fact Bonds hates it, of course, makes me love the idea even more.

by Jim McLennan on Sep 29, 2007 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions

It's also a donation...

...so they might feel a bit of an obligation. It's essentially a $752,000 donation to the Hall. Would be a bit ungrateful of them to try to hide it in its true glory.

I think it was a stupid contest, but the result is probably appropriate. Future generations will judge Bonds however they want to, anyways; just as they did Maris.

Hmm... all this talk of asterisks makes me want to go rent 61*. (Great baseball movie... "He's all yours. You go get that fat fuck." -Mickey Mantle, to Roger Maris, speaking of Babe Ruth)