?> For a mediocre pitcher like Mike Bacsik, formerly of the Washington Nationals, there are only a handful of ways to secure a spot in the record books. Here’s an easy one: Throw Barry Bonds a pitch to crank out of the park for his record-breaking 756th home run. Sure, it’s an ignominious claim-to-fame, but a claim-to-fame nonetheless.
Now, Bacsick’s former teammate Tim Redding is claiming that Bacsik did it on purpose. “Mike wanted to give up that home run,” said Redding. “Everything to Bonds was low 80s and centre cut. I think Mike had some notion that if he gave it up, he could be part of history and make a few dollars out of it one day.”
Now, Bacsik may earn a bit of renown for his achievement, but it’s unlikely Gatorade’s going to be naming a drink after him anytime soon. Besides, as Bacsik himself insists, “I was crappy enough to do it without trying.” With an ERA of 5.46 last season, we’re inclined to believe him.
