What should we do if Jose Bautista hits 62?

Jose Bautista has 31 home runs before the All Star Break.
He may have more if he gets a hold of one today.

Remember how having 31 homers at the All Star Break used to have people buzzing?

“Man, he has a shot!”

You know what “the shot” is, right?
A shot at 62 homers and maybe pass Roger Maris.

The suddenly “the shot” had a whole new meaning.

As in “a shot of supposed B12 by Alex Rodriguez’s cousin in a bathroom stall.”

So here we are and Jose Bautista is making a run at 60.
What are we supposed to do?

Are we supposed to celebrate like it is 1998 all over again?
Are we supposed to ignore some warning signs?

Like, oh I don’t know the fact that he never produced like this before and suddenly became a 50 home run hitter?

And he did so without a change in environment (like Curtis Granderson heading to homer happy Yankee Stadium.)

And the fact that he is from a country that has relaxed laws about steroids and HGH and plays his home games outside of the United States.

Is it fair to be suspicious of Bautista? Was it fair to be suspicious of Albert Pujols and his speedy recovery?

Probably not.

Is it out of line?

Not at all.

As I wrote about the burden of proof with Barry Bonds, our guard is up now. It is the result of being burnt so often. Sure Bautista is paying for the sins committed by a previous generation of sluggers, but this is normal.

Like anyone who has been dumped, you start to get defensive when your next romance starts to go down old paths.

The pendulum has swung the other way. We used to celebrate without asking questions. Now we say “Hold on a second. I’m not going to be a little tempered in my euphoria this time.”

We have grim reminders with Bonds’ trial earlier this year and Clemens being grilled now. Are supposed to just take it on faith that Jose Bautista is clean?

He could hit 62.
I’m not sure how I’m going to react.

I jumped up in the air when McGwire hit HIS 62nd.
I did a dance when Sammy Sosa hit HIS.

Not sure I would do that with Bautista.
It’s not fair, but the truth isn’t always fair.

A scenario all Pirate fans should be hoping for

Pirate fans… you want something to cheer about?
How about THIS scenario?

Let’s say the Bucs beat the Cubs. Paul Maholm at home… it isn’t unreasonable.

Then let’s say the Reds pull off another win against the Brewers. Dontrelle Willis is pitching for the Reds. It will be a tall order, but crazier things have happened.

And let’s say Arizona beats the Cardinals.

Three games… not asking a lot.

If those three games break exactly that way, then the Pirates will go into the All Star Break tied for first place and a game ahead in the loss column for the lead.

Raise your hand if you thought this team had a chance to be in first place at the break.

If you raised your hand, you are a liar.

Hey Bud Black… Harang was pitching well

When a guy is throwing a no hitter after 6 innings, I’d leave him in the game.
Maybe it’s just me.

When you have two dead from the neck up franchises playing each other in a “Let’s stay out of the cellar” game, why not have the guy come out for the 7th?

When it is a 33 year old guy who could be throwing the game of his 10 year career… why not give him a chance?

Yes, I know he was hurt recently.
I know it was hot.
I know he was fresh off a rehab assignment.

But why have the “Could he have thrown a no hitter?” question linger over his career?
Seriously how many more years does Aaron Harang have?
2?
3?

You can’t push pitchers when they are in their early 20s and you can’t push them in their early 30s I guess.

Let him throw until he lets up a hit.
Wouldn’t a no hitter from a likable veteran make a down San Diego year a little better?
Especially seeing it would have been the first no hitter in Padres history.

I would have let him pitch the 7th.
Not sure if this qualifies as babying pitchers, but I am going to link the video anyway!