The best of his era --perhaps of all time

The answer is simple.

The question, not so much.

Assuming most of the best players of this era did something untoward, who are the best -- who is the best -- of the last 10, 20 or 30 years in Major League Baseball

The premise being that nearly everyone believes Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Raffy Palmeiro and friends enhanced their numbers pharmaceutically.

You'd have to be blind or a fool to think otherwise.

That being the case, and not in any way condoning it, the question remains, who is the best -- on the field -- of this generation

"I truly think at some point 61 is going to mean 61 again, and I hope it does,'' said ESPN broadcaster Rick Sutcliffe, who was on the air for Bonds' record-breaker Tuesday night. "Here's the way I look at this era.

"In 1982, I was down in Tucson pitching for Cleveland and the gates opened in center field. In walks the Oakland Athletics and I thought it was the Oakland Raiders.

"I saw a couple guys I played with on the Dodgers and I said, 'What the (bleep) happened to you What are you doing ' This was 1982.'æ''

You're saying 1982, not '92

"It was 1982. They were monsters,'' said the 51-year-old Sutcliffe, who's been in pro baseball since 1974, when he was drafted by the Dodgers. "I kind of look at it like (the steroids era was) 1980 to '05. I'm guessing there's other stuff going on now, but I don't know.''

And the best players

"It's one guy. I faced Barry Bonds in the early '90s when he was a 30-homer, 50-stolen base guy and winning MVPs that way. Now, he's a different type guy,'' said Sutcliffe, on his cell while walking through an airport. "But he's probably the best combination of power and speed that's ever played offense and defense in any era at any time. The numbers tell you that.''

For Sutcliffe, Bonds is the beginning and the end of the discussion. He points to his career numbers that will surpass 3,000 hits, 750 homers, 2,000 RBI, 500 stolen bases, 2,500 walks, 600 doubles, 2,000 runs, 10,000 at-bats, eight Gold Gloves and a batting average just short of .300.

"He might be the best ever when you look at it all,'' said Sutcliffe, who played in Cleveland when Bobby Bonds was an Indians coach. "As the commissioner said (Tuesday) night, they'll debate the other stuff and they should, but I was there Tuesday and right now I feel I saw history being made until it changes -- if it changes.

"At this point, you can't take away what these guys have done, but I also believe 61 will mean 61 again someday.''

The meatball

Sutcliffe was still laughing a day or two later about pitcher Mike Bacsik, who will be forever known for giving up No. 756.

"This guy was proud of that 84-mph fastball. I got a big kick out of him,'' Sutcliffe said. "He enjoyed it. I talked to him before the game and he said it would be no big deal to give it up.

"He said he'd be (mad) if he gave up the homer to (Minnesota's) Jason Tyner after the guy went 1,200 at-bats without one.

"He said his dad (Mike Sr.) told him to have fun and go at him. He did. He nearly struck Barry out on that 3-2 curve. Barry barely got a piece of it. Then, you know what happened next.''

Mike Bacsik also told him that Sutcliffe apparently hit a home run off Mike Sr. at some point in the minors, though Sutcliffe doesn't recall the event.

World serious

Though he broadcast history Tuesday, Sutcliffe doesn't put the Bonds homer at the top of his list.

"I've done the last seven World Series for MLB International and that goes all over the world to our troops, and to me that's the highlight,'' Sutcliffe said. "I've seen a lot of amazing individual things in the last 30 years, but to me it's always about the World Series.''

History booked

From e-mailer Bob Kociolek: "The Bonds spectacle brings to mind the old truth that life will eventually take away all you have, except your dignity. That, you have to give away. And Bonds gave that away a long time ago.''

Ivan Boldirev-ing

Congrats to Buffalo Grove's Megan Bozek, who earned a spot on the first-ever USA Hockey Women's Under-18 Team, which will participate in the 2008 World Championship in Canada.

The comeback

Even if he is a Cardinal, how can you root against ex-pitcher Rick Ankiel making it in the big leagues as an outfielder

Strange but true

Clay Hensley, who served up No. 755 to Barry Bonds, tested positive for steroids while in the minor leagues in 2005.

Just asking

Does it seem like when the going gets tough and the more the Cubs need Aramis Ramirez, the less available he becomes

Looking good

From sportspickle.com: "Brady Quinn finally reported to training camp today after missing the first 10 days of camp. Quinn's agent, Tom Condon, said his client was missing because he spent the last two weeks looking into his bathroom mirror.''

And finally …

David Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, on a coaching convention in town: "Waiters and waitresses at downtown restaurants report disappointment upon learning that, when it comes to tipping, coaches don't give 110 percent."