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Call from the Bullpen by David Maull

The Bullpen | Major Leagues | Sports Front Page

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Whining Tarnishes Home Run Chase
From the July 30, 1998 TV Times

Only in Major League Baseball could fans be made to feel guilty about taking an interest in a player's quest to break one of the game's most hallowed records.

All summer, Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. have launched an all-out assault on Roger Maris' record of 61 home runs in a single season. In the process, they have captivated the entire sports world.

But along with their phenomenal home run pace has come increased attention from the media and fans. With that has come the inevitable whining.

When Maris broke Babe Ruth's record of 60 homers in a season in 1961, the pressure became so intense that his hair began falling out near season's end.

McGwire and Griffey may not be that stressed, but the chase is taking its toll.

In recent weeks, both have whined incessantly about the attention paid to their exploits and seemed dumfounded as to why anyone would find such an event interesting.

Both have said they don't care about breaking Maris' record.

Evidently, they don't think anyone else should either.

McGwire's daily batting practice draws so much attention from the media and fans that for a while it was rumored he would refrain from BP the remainder of the season.

Griffey, meanwhile, spun a lame excuse for choosing not to compete in the home-run hitting contest at the all-star game, then reconsidered after being booed mercilessly by 50,000 fans at Coors Field. Even during the contest, which he won, Griffey looked as if he'd rather be pouring asphalt on an interstate highway in 110-degree heat.

It's disappointing to see two of the game's nicer guys acting so childish and spoiled.

Cursing the inevitable fanfare given to a record-breaking pursuit is like berating grass for being green.

It's understandable both players are tired of getting asked the same questions by the same throng of reporters every day. It's easy to get irritated when every stroll through the clubhouse ends with a camera or microphone being stuck in your face.

But if the pressure is so great, they could always seek refuge in the trainer's room for a couple hours or spend extra time shagging flies in the outfield. Or better yet, the club could restrict the media's access. In St. Louis, reporters are not allowed near the cage during batting practice.

However, for both players to bemoan their misfortune at living every little boy's dream is downright silly. Cal Ripken didn't seem to have that problem when he broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games record in 1995.

As a fan, I can assure that if I held tickets to a Cardinals game, I'd be at the stadium when the gates opened and watching intently when McGwire stepped into the batting cage.

It's my right as a fan, and if I plunk down $15 for a ticket, you'd better believe I'm going to take advantage of my opportunity to see McGwire launch one into the stratosphere.

In fact, I performed that exact ritual with Griffey when I attended an Orioles-Mariners game at Camden Yards last week. And I didn't feel the least bit bad about it.

Some advice for McGwire and Griffey: loosen up and have some fun. If the fans want to enjoy the home run chase, let them. But don't act surly and annoyed every time a reporter asks a question or fans cheer loudly during bating practice.

Attention comes with chasing one of baseball's greatest records.

You should expect it.

Now deal with it.