The Home Run That Wasn't

I know these are dark days for the Cubs, with bright spots few and far between, but this whole story about Juan Pierre robbing Barry Bonds smells like it's wrapped around last Friday's fish. I'm just not sure the ball was over the wall. I've watched the replays from every angle, and it looks to me like, if Pierre's not there, the ball either hits the top of the wall, in which case it may or may not bounce out, or it hits just below the top of the wall and bounces into center field. Maybe it would have been a home run, sure, but it's just not clear. Nonetheless, Paul Sullivan writes in today's Tribune that Pierre "hauled it in from over the fence to prevent a two-run homer." Essentially, the Tribune's lead Sports story is about a Cubs outfielder catching a fly ball. To be fair, the Sun-Times exaggerates Pierre's achievement even more: "Pierre soared above the wall in center in the fifth inning Tuesday night to take away what would have been Bonds' historic 714th home run," according to Mike Kiley. Sure, I know, it makes better copy if Pierre robs Bonds. It would just sit better with me if the facts were as certain as the reporting. Cubs television announcer Bob Brenley noticed that the ball actually hit the heel of Pierre's glove and then rolled up into the webbing. If Pierre hadn't clenched his glove at just the right moment, he would have funnelled it over the fence, thereby granting Bonds his 714th home run.