Something very intriguing occurred to me last week when Frank Thomas signed with Oakland. First I thought the obvious, "Why in the hell didn't Oakland sign Bonds?", then I thought, "What sort of value would Bonds bring to Toronto?". As you all know, the Blue Jays released Frank Thomas due to his poor offensive production (although he did have 3 homers). This was clearly a stupid decision on Toronto's part not only from a financial perspective (they had to eat $9 million) but more importantly, it just doesn't seem ethical from the baseball side. Thomas is still a major presence at the plate and he can still hit. The only difference is the 40+ homer and .350 years are behind him, but Toronto cheated themselves by not giving Frank a chance to work the kinks out. Maybe all he needed was some coaching. If that's the case, wouldn't you rather take the time to help your best power-hitter on a team that clearly lacks power than blow $9 million? Mark my word, Frank Thomas will be a major part of the A's resurgence this year.
- B/R Ticket Guide
I'd like to take this time to inform everybody what Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi has been spouting off. Last night, on his call-in radio show, Ricciardi had some interesting things to say about bringing in Bonds and the future of the Jays: "I will never do anything out of fear, I'm not afraid to lose my job. I'm not afraid to do what's right. I believe in what we're doing here. If it's not good enough, it's not good enough." How do you like that? Does this sound like a guy who should be the general manager of a professional ball club? That last sentence is proof that Ricciardi has a bad attitude about his team. Here's something else: "But I'm not going to trade my integrity to bring people here that I don't think stand for what we should stand for. It's almost laughable to a point where the fans are willing to sell their soul for a guy that we don't even know if he has anything left." Okay J.P., what do you stand for? Mediocre fan attendance? Not making a playoff appearance during your 6 season tenure as GM? Maybe you just can't read. Apparently there's a colossal gap between both leagues where NL player stats are forbidden from leaking into the front offices of AL teams. Is it because the AL resents the fact that the NL hasn't adopted the DH? All kidding aside, Barry clearly has more left in the tank and his numbers last season (which he earned on the worst offensive team in the NL) prove it.
Toronto could certainly use Barry's bat in replacement of Frank Thomas and from all the web sites and forums out there, it seems that the attitude amongst most Jays fans is pro-Bonds. They want to win, they want a superstar, and they want excitement; all of which Bonds provides. I think Toronto can compete this year. They have the talent and their pitching has been exceptional, but they seem to fall short in the runs department. Most of Toronto's losses have been the result of close games. It's comical how a team that's 11-17 and only 5.5 games back can be so prejudice toward Bonds.
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8 months ago
No joke. Bonds is being blacklisted plain and simple. Toronto, Oakland, Detroit, Seattle - the fans of all of these clubs have the right to claim that their front offices don't really care about winning. Their priority is being accepted in the gentlemen's club that exists among the baseball owners and GMs.
8 months ago
Yea, and it's a sad thing. To me its about the bosses wanting to send a message. mlb has rules to follow. First, you work for us. second, promote us, be subsurviant to the media. Make us money, your private life does not belong to you as long as you are here.
pretty sad, how power and money can corrupt even our national passtime.
but I think it will turn.
And I hope someone has the courage to let Barry make the fans happy.
I don't think I could have made it as he did with all that meanspirited media around.
Can't be a nice guy under those conditions. They know it.
8 months ago
Does anyone really know how much Barry wants.
in oakland, his fans are already there.
you know they'd come out.
Whats the ave attn in oak.
plus restaurants
plus how many would turn on the tube across the country when As were on. all the numbers would go up and they can measure it.
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