Reply #1: First, it's not Ruth's record. It's Hank Aaron's record.

[RedSpartan]

Second, I disagree with you saying a lot of the anger towards Bonds is because he's black. I think the anger is because he is almost certainly a cheat and a liar and, by all accounts, a jerk in public an private.

Last, if it was Griffey approaching Hank Aaron, I think things would be different. The real tricky issue for baseball is the steroid accusations against Bonds, not necessarily his personality, and no one so far as I know has ever accused Griffey of using steroids. In my opinion, the steroid issue in baseball has really caused a new appreciation for just how good some guys are/were who haven't been accused, such as Griffey, Thomas, and McGriff.