Gorzo gets 10th Win as Bucs win 8-3 over D-Backs

The Pittsburgh Pirates won the first game of a 3-game series with the RED HOT Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3 Tuesday Night in Arizona. Tom Gorzelanny(10-6) picked up the win, pitching 7 innings, giving up 2 earned runs on only 4 hits. The only guy Gorzo couldnt seem to get out was rookie Justin Upton who homered(1), tripled(1) and doubled(3) off Gorzelanny, he had 3 of the 4 hits Gorzo allowed and scored both runs. Jack Wilson was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles(18) and a RBI(33). Orlando Hudson(10) also hit a home run off of Salomon Torres in the 8th inning. The Pirates are now 45-64.

Commisioner's Statement on Barry Bonds

Commissioner's statement on Bonds breaking home run record

Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig issued the following statement tonight after Barry Bonds set the career home run record:
"I congratulate Barry Bonds for establishing a new career home run record. Barry's achievement is noteworthy and remarkable.

"After Barry came out of the game, I congratulated him by telephone and had MLB executive vice president Jimmie Lee Solomon and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson -- both of whom were at the game and witnessed the record-breaking home run -- meet with him on my behalf. While the issues which have swirled around this record will continue to work themselves toward resolution, today is a day for congratulations on a truly remarkable achievement."

Bonds Hits #756

Bonds Makes History With 756th Home Run
By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds raised both arms over his head like a prize fighter in victory, fists clenched _ and then he took off. It was over at long last. Like him or not, legitimate or not, he is baseball's new home run king.

Bonds hit No. 756 to the deepest part of the ballpark Tuesday night, and hammered home that very point. He broke Hank Aaron's storied record with one out in the fifth inning, hitting a full-count, 84 mph fastball from Washington's Mike Bacsik.

Bonds sent the ball arcing high into the night, 435 feet into the right-center field seats. Later, he firmly and flatly rejected any suggestion that this milestone was stained by steroids.

"This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period," Bonds said.

Conspicuous by their absence were the commissioner and Hammerin' Hank himself.

Though he was on hand for the tying homer three days ago, deciding to put baseball history ahead of the suspicions plaguing the Giants slugger, Bud Selig wasn't there for the record-breaker.

Instead, he sent two emissaries, Major League Baseball executive vice president Jimmie Lee Solomon and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.

As for Aaron, he said all along he had no interest in being there whenever and wherever his 33-year-old mark was broken. He was true to his word, but he did offer a taped message of congratulations that played on the stadium's video board during a 10-minute, in-game tribute.

"It is a great accomplishment which required skill, longevity and determination," he said.

"Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball and I have been privileged to hold this record for 33 of those years. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historic achievement.

"My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams," he said.

A woman who answered the phone at Aaron's home in Georgia shortly after Bonds' homer said that Aaron was asleep.

"When I saw Hank Aaron that made everything," Bonds said. "We've always loved him. He's always the home run king."

With a long, satisfied stare, Bonds watched as the ball sailed over the fence and disappeared into the scrum in the first few rows. Then he raised both arms over his head like a victorious prize fighter, fists clenched, and took off.

"I knew I hit it," Bonds said. "I knew I got it. I was like, phew, finally."

His 17-year-old batboy son Nikolai was already bouncing on home plate as Dad rounded third and ran the final 90 feet to make it official. After a long embrace, the rest of the family joined in _ his mother, two daughters and wife. And then there was Willie Mays, who removed his cap and congratulated his godson.

Bonds saved his most poignant words for last, addressing his late father, Bobby.

"My dad," he said, looking to the sky and choking back tears. "Thank you."

Bonds had wanted to break the record at home, where he would be assured of a friendly crowd. They were all right, unlike in San Diego where some fans held up signs with asterisks.

Bonds has always denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs.

After doubling and singling his first two times up, Bonds hit a solo home run. Bacsik put his left hand to the back of his head as soon as Bonds connected.

"I dreamed about it as a kid, but when I dreamed about it, I was the one hitting the home run and not giving it up," Bacsik said.

"I didn't really want to be part of history as a bad part, but I am," he said. "I'm OK with it."

Bacsik later spoke with Bonds and got an autographed a bat from the Giants star.

Bonds took his position in left field to start the sixth, then was replaced and drew another standing ovation. The Nationals won the game, 8-6.

A fan wearing a Mets jersey wound up with the historic ball. Matt Murphy of New York emerged from the stands with the souvenir and a bloodied face, and was whisked to a secure room.

Even with Bonds at the top of the chart, fans will surely keep debating which slugger they consider the true home run champion. Some will continue to cling to Aaron while other, older rooters will always say it's Babe Ruth.

"It's all about history. Pretty soon, someone will come along and pass him," Mays said before the game.

Aaron held the top spot for 12,173 days after connecting for No. 715 to pass the Babe on April 8, 1974.

Bonds homered exactly three years after Greg Maddux earned his 300th victory at the same ballpark. It's been quite a week of baseball milestones _ over the weekend, Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th home run and Tom Glavine won No. 300.

A seven-time NL MVP, the 43-year-old Bonds hit his 22nd home run of the year. Bonds broke Mark McGwire's single-season record by hitting 73 in 2001 and while he's no longer such a force, opposing pitchers remain wary.

Bonds and Giants management bickered in the offseason over contract issues. This big night was the main reason owner Peter Magowan brought back the star left fielder for a 15th season in San Francisco, signing him to a $15.8 million, one-year contract.

Bonds' once-rapid quest for the record had slowed in recent years as his age and balky knees diminished his pace. He hit 258 home runs from 2000-04, but has only 53 since then.

While steroids have tinged Bonds' pursuit, it was race that was the predominant issue when Aaron broke Ruth's mark in 1974. Aaron dealt with hate mail and death threats from racist fans who thought a black man was not worthy of breaking the record set by a white hero, the beloved Babe.

Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn watched Aaron tie the record but was not present for the record-breaker, a slight that bothered many fans of Aaron. Selig is a close friend of Aaron's and offered Bonds tepid congratulations when he tied the record.

"I think Hank is his own man," Mays said. "I think if he wanted to be here he would be here."

"When he hit 715, the commissioner wasn't there," he said. "You may not blame him because he wasn't represented the right way."

Bonds was destined for stardom at an early age. The son of All-Star outfielder Bobby Bonds and the godson of one of the game's greatest players, Bonds spent his childhood years roaming the clubhouse at Candlestick Park, getting tips from Mays and other Giants.

"I visualized him playing sports at a high level. He was 5 when he was in my locker all the time," Mays said.

In a matter of years, Bonds went from a wiry leadoff hitter with Pittsburgh in 1986 to a bulked-up slugger. That transformation is at the heart of his many doubters, who believe Bonds cheated to accomplish his feats and should not be considered the record-holder.

There are plenty of fans already hoping for the day that Bonds' total _ whatever it ends up _ is topped. Alex Rodriguez may have the best chance, with his 500 home runs at age 32 far ahead of Bonds' pace.

Steelers look good in HOF game, win 20-7 over Saints

The Steelers looked great in Sunday's Hall of Fame game, Ben Roethlisberger only played one series but made the most of it, leading the Steelers right down the field for a touchdown. The big play was a play-action pass to Cedrick Wilson for 55 yards. He was 2 for 3 with 73 yards, all 73 yards went to Cedrick Wilson who caught 4 passes for 99 yards in the game. Najeh Davenport finished the drive off with a TD run from 3 yards out. Santonio Holmes also caught a TD pass in the game. The Steelers amassed 173 yards rushing and passed for 253 yards. The Steelers defense held the Saints to 214 yards. The team looked great and it seems Tomlin's tough training camp is paying off as the Steelers looked like the physically superior team the whole night. Jeff Reed was 2 for 3 on field goals.

Tom Glavine gets Win #300

Glavine joins 300 club vs. Cubs
Mets left-hander picks up historic win in Wrigley finale
By Marty Noble / MLB.com


CHICAGO -- One of the clubhouse attendants in Wrigley Field approached Tom Glavine on Sunday as a special evening was winding down and extended a hand with two baseballs. Glavine knew the drill. He signed on the sweet spots as he had done countless times. But he also knew he now was free to add a PS.
So under his signature -- which had become significantly more valuable 75 minutes earlier, Glavine added to the inscriptions. For the first times ever, he wrote 300 under his name. And, oh, how he liked the way that looked.

Now that three-digit figure is almost part of his name, like HOF is likely to become in five or six years. With a performance that reinforced his image as a brilliant pitcher, an intense competitor and a pretty competent batsman, Glavine forever changed his baseball identity Sunday night. No longer is he merely the two-time Cy Young Award winner or the five-time 20-game winner or the savvy left-hander who ...

Now, first, foremost and forever, Glavine is a 300-game winner. With a HOF chaser on order.

A comprehensive, Glavine-esque six-plus innings against the Cubs not only affected the change in ID, but also was the primary fuel in the Mets' less historic, less-than-artistic, 8-3 victory. On a night that established big-league record for sticky, Glavine persevered through heat and self-induced tension and against his 41 years and became the 23rd pitcher to reach 300, the fifth of the left-handed persuasion, the fourth with a strong Braves connection and the first to do so wearing a Mets uniform.

Even before the autograph request, he had given a signature performance, as if he has been asked to demonstrate how he had come to accumulate 299 victories. Glavine pitched well and he has used his head and his bat to enhance his chance. What else could he have done to make his 300th victory more representative of his body of work? "I guess I could have gotten out of bases-loaded jam by throwing a changeup away," he said.

But the Cubs hadn't offered that much resistance during Glavine's 6 1/3 innings, only six hits and a walk. They scored once before he departed, again immediately after Guillermo Mota replaced him and again when Pedro Feliciano allowed Mota's baserunner to score. But most to the subsequent sweating he and the Mets did was the result of the North Side sauna that enveloped Wrigleyville and made the conditions closer than the score.

"It was typical Tommy," Willie Randolph said in the dugout afterwards as the Mets toasted their most accomplished player in the clubhouse and a surprisingly large contingent of Mets fans gathered behind the visiting dugout and chanted "Tom-mee Gla-vine, Tom-mee Gla-vine."

"I was very touched by that," Glavine said. "And by the way I was received by the Cubs fans. I think their applause was a show of respect. And we all want to be respected."

Winning for the 300th time prompted a telephone call from Bud Selig and Fred Wilpon and hundreds of hugs and handshakes. But it didn't cause a spike in respect for Glavine. The game already had embraced him. The round number didn't make any more special.

Which is not to suggest he didn't want it. He wouldn't have fretted some of the night and most of the day if it hadn't been important to him. He wouldn't have said, "I know the company I'm in now and I'm as proud as I can be to be among them" if he had been unaware of the significance of his accomplishment.

He is the 23rd, he might be the last.

"I'm not saying I will be or that I want to be the last one," he said. "But it would be kinda cool."

With family, parents, former teammates, bosses and doctors, friends and all around him, Glavine barely had the opportunity to savor the achievement. His teammates savored for him. The Dom Perignon was opened and sipped. None of it was sprayed or spilled. "That's for October," Paul Lo Duca said.

After Glavine thanked his teammates for "putting up with all this," he reminded them of the unfinished business lingering since last fall. He may not play again next season -- his part of in baseball's unscheduled Milestone Weekend makes it less likely he will pitch beyond 2007. "But I'd like to keep pitching for a long time this year," he said.

"You mean there's more?" Billy Wagner said. "Now we have to go through 301?"

Wagner had produced the final three outs. The day he signed with Mets he said he hoped to save Glavine's 300th victory. But the margin for error the Mets produced by scoring twice in the eighth inning and once in the ninth eliminated the save opportunity. "I'm kind of glad it did," Glavine said.

He remained in the dugout to watch the Mets achieve the eight outs he left them. As Wagner faced four batters, Glavine's flawed poker face began to crack. "I was so happy to be getting this. It is a relief. At some point, I'm not sure when, the accomplishment part of it will take over. But right now, it's mostly relief."

The game had its uneasy moments even though the Mets scored the first five runs, against Jason Marquis, Glavine's former Braves teammate. The Mets' bullpen, which squandered a lead against the Brewers in Milwaukee on Tuesday and denied Glavine his milestone, put the victory in jeopardy again on Sunday. He acknowledged experiencing a "Oh, no. Not again" moment.

Glavine had batted in the seventh, adding a sacrifice bunt to a one-night resume that already included a run-scoring single, a walk and a ground ball that advanced a runner. And he faced two batters in the seventh, retiring one before a double by Angel Pagan prompted his removal.

Then it got antsy. But when Aaron Heilman replaced Felicano and closed out the seventh, even Glavine's nervous wife, Chris, sat back in here seat.

"This one wasn't getting away," Lo Duca said. "He knew that we let him down in Milwaukee. But we just played better tonight to make sure that wouldn't happen again."

Lo Duca had argued his way into the lineup after missing five games. He and Carlos Delgado, who had four RBIs, produced the two runs in the eighth. Delgado drove in another in the ninth. But the RBI of the night was Glavine's. He singled through the middle in he second to score Lastings Milledge with the first run.

"We were like, 'Go do it, drive in all the runs and pitch a one-hit shutout. ... This is your night,'" Lo Duca said.

"I think he was just afraid we would get him more than two runs, like the other night in Milwaukee," David Wright said. "But we put together some hits for him ... just because we like him and respect him."

The Mets gushed as they hailed their man. They didn't even get on him for delaying the bus, it's always been Glavine who pushes for prompt departures. But the celebration took time.

When it was over, players donned Mets blue T-shirts clubhouse manager Charlie Samuels had ordered for the occasion. An orange "300" and a silhouette of Glavine pitching were on the chest.

Always-dapper El Duque stepped from relative comfort of the Mets clubhouse into the stifling, wearing the shirt under a blazer and over a dress shirt. It went with nothing else he was wearing. But Orlando Hernandez was pleased with his layered look.

"Proud to wear it," he said. "I'm proud to wear a Tom Glavine shirt."

My misery ends today

The misery of watching the Pirates ends tonight as the Steelers get ready to kick it off in the Hall of Fame Game at 8pm tonight against the New Orleans Saints. Lets go Steelers, and good luck Coach Tomlin.

Pirates rained out Sunday

The Pirates game was rained out in Pittsburgh today against the Reds, they hit the road now to take on the red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks(62-50). The D-Backs have won 12 of their last 14 games while the Pirates have lost 16 of their last 20. The series will begin on Tuesday at 9:40pm(EST).