Bonds exposed: Shadows details superstar slugger's steroid use

Sports Illustrated ^ | March 7, 2006 | SI

[jw777]

The gymn Anderson used to sell at and train other clients is only 1 block from BALCO labs. I know, cause I used to train there too. Anderson would come in with a new $200 pair of shoes every week, drove a sweet car (new and tricked out BMW) if I'm not mistaken and was well known as a supplier in that gymn.

[steelyourfaith]

... forgot to tell you..... 13 years old, I went to that game by myself with a pretty bad cold (or flu) ............I chomped down three big boxes of Forbes Field popcorn, four cokes, and a couple of hot dogs and a bag of peanuts. When I got home, I walked in the house, went directly to the bathroom, barfed up more than enough, and everything was fine.......... except the Pirates had lost 16 to 2.

LOL --- sorry! I was 11 then. That response was more appropriate for an 11 yr old.

I only got to see him that once (2nd game '60 World Series). It was a day I cherish..

In the late mid sixties I traveled to Memorial Stadium in Baltimore to see Mantle play against the Orioles. He got a single in three at bats. The third and last time I saw him play in person I made the drive to Yankee Stadium. I can't remember the opponent, only that he went hitless.

Used to get bussed into Forbes Field a few times each summer for Knothole Games with a hometown father/son sports group, The Neighborhood Boys' Club. The bus, as I recall, would park out near Schenley Park . Great times.

He had style, no baloney or bull getting in and out of the batter's box like a lot of other players. I loved his DIRECT approach to baseball. He got into that batter's box, settled in, and basically said silently............ bring it.

And when he hit one out, he did his homerun trot with his chin down, head slightly bowed. He said he didn't want to show-up the pitcher.

[M Kehoe]

Good evening. Ref post 196, I only have a one word reply: EXCELLENT!

5.56mm

[beyond the sea]

And when he hit one out, he did his homerun trot with his chin down, head slightly bowed. He said he didn't want to show-up the pitcher.

Yep, classy guy:

****

After I hit a home run I had a habit of running the bases with my head down. I figured the pitcher already felt bad enough without me showing him up rounding the bases.

****

Hitting the ball was easy. Running around the bases was the tough part.

I always loved the game, but when my legs weren't hurting it was a lot easier to love.

****

I hated to bat against Drysdale. After he hit you he'd come around, look at the bruise on your arm and say, 'Do you want me to sign it?' ---- ROFL (Can you imagine having to bat right-handed against Drysdale?! Man, that had to take all the blood down to your feet!)

[beyond the sea]

Mick was the awesome combinations of a natural mesomorph with predominant fast-twitch muscle fiber (he was regarded as perhaps the fastest from home to first at the start of his career).

You're right. I forget who once said this, but it was a very good player back in the early 60's speaking, but he said that Mickey was so fast getting down to first base at the beginning of his career that if Mick only BUNTED he could easily hit .500.

I believe it.

[PackerBronco]

And fercryinoutloud, the man's skull was growing.

You don't know anything about baseball. As Bonds played more, he learned more about the strike zone. As he learned more about the strike zone, his brain expanded to store his accumulated knowledge. Armed with this vast knowledge in his later years, he was able to hit more HR's than earlier in his career. Learn something about baseball before you post again.

[Primetimedonna]

No forgiveness requested on the tirade comment, but thanks anyway! ;>)

I'll give you a pass on your admiration of Mantle.....I admire him too! Just teasing you about how easy you were to turn around!! LOL! ;>)

[steelyourfaith]

I forget who once said this, but it was a very good player back in the early 60's speaking, but he said that Mickey was so fast getting down to first base at the beginning of his career that if Mick only BUNTED he could easily hit .500. I believe it.

I think you might find this vignette involving bunting interesting. It comes from David Falkner's 1995 book The Last Hero, The Life of Mickey Mantle, pages 180-181.

Dave Nelson was a rookie second baseman for Cleveland in 1968, Mantle's last year, He was not much of a hitter, but he was quick, could steal a base, get his bat on the ball, and make the plays in the field. His first trip to Yankee Stadium, he said, was memorable in ways he never anticipated.

"I was just a young kid then, just turned twenty-three, I think, and there I was in the big leagues, in Yankee Stadium, and I'm just in awe of the place. I don't remember who was on the mound - maybe it was Al Downing," he said, "but Mickey was on first and I knew his knees were gone. I had no clue at this time that other clubs had decided some things among themselves out of reverence for him. So, in this one at bat, I pushed the ball, push-bunted right between the pitcher and first base and they had to go for it. I had great speed so it was a base hit. I turn around halfway down the right field line, and there's our first base coach walking towards me, and he stops me and tells me "Hey, Dave, we don't bunt on Mick out of respect for him.' I go to myself, 'Oh-kayyy.' So then I walked back to first base and I'm standing next to Mickey Mantle. I'm looking at this guy's arms and they look like tree trunks, and I'm saying, 'Man, he's gonna pinch my head off,' and then he pats me on the butt and he says, 'Nice bunt, rook.' And I look at him and say, 'Thanks, Mr. Mantle.'"

[beyond the sea]

Great story. Thank you for that!