I’ll Preface this by admitting my bias. As a life long Giants fan, I’m still bitter that he won’t be in black and orange this season. I’ve put my neck on the line for Bonds before, carrying a Bonds is my Hero sign while sitting in left field in Philly, by far the nastiest experience in my following of Bonds.
With Bonds still searching for work I’ll admit the collusion ideas are becoming more plausible. It has always been my dream job to represent Barry Bonds. Today I pretend to live that dream. Here is my pitch to teams on why they want the Home Run King.
Barry can play
I don’t think many would argue with the fact that Bonds would have a tremendous impact in any lineup. Consider his numbers last year, in what was limited action because of being in the National League, multiplied by the fact that he could DH every day in the American League. Even if Bonds doesn’t hit as many home runs, the sheer fear factor of Bonds in the lineup mixed with his incredible patience and eye at the plate would guarantee a .400+ OBP.
Butts in Seats
While people are quick to point to the media circus that follows Bonds, they rarely point to what those crowds really mean—Ticket Sales. People will come out to see Bonds play, whether to boo or cheer is irrelevant to the bottom line. Bonds also relieves the pressure from any other player on the team. Barry Zito was terrible last year, but was able to hide in the shadow as Barry 2. This year without Bonds the media has all but crucified him.
Bonds can be a Role Model … Hitter
While even I won’t argue Bonds being a role model citizen, he may be the most disciplined hitter of his time, if not ever. Recently, ESPN ran a piece explaining how Bonds had sat down with Albert Pujols and given him some great advice on handling being walked at least once a game and still keeping that discipline. Bonds has a mental notebook logging tendencies of every pitcher he’s faced, something younger players could learn from. If Bonds is given a chance (and wants to be) that veteran voice in a clubhouse I honestly think he can bring good to the rest of the team. Even the books that are written criticizing Barry do explain his knowledge for the game being far superior. Bonds will occasionally visit ASU (where he played college baseball) and give hitting tips to the players.
The Man Wants to Win
Barry has all the records, and while he still may be looking toward 3,000 hits or moving up the All-time runs and RBI list, Bonds’ reason for coming back is to win. It is the one thing that has eluded him until now. And Bonds will deliver. Just look back to his only World Series appearance. He hit .471 over 7 games with 4 HRs 8 R and 6 RBI … and he was walked 13 times for a whopping .700 OBP. I’d say he wants to win—bad.
Save your prospects
Its simple Business of Baseball. If you are forced to acquire a big bat midseason it is going to cost you prospects. For a guy who could potentially hit 3,4 or 5 in your lineup and slug 20 HRs in the second half of the season, say goodbye to your Baseball American #1 or #2. Bonds on the other hand would come for half a year’s salary (which you wouldn’t escape via trade anyway). It will be hard for a GM to explain mortgaging the farm with Barry there for the taking.
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5 months ago
From my article dated March 19th...
"There are few owners, if any, who see the benefit of adding Bonds to their rosters. They simply would rather pass on Bonds than risk usurping their day-to-day business activities"
"Bonds will never play MLB again. Should he have the right to? Yes, because that is the law. But don't be surprised if he doesn't.
Here's why:
Barry Bonds was a Hall-of-Famer way before he touched performance-enhancing drugs. He did not need, with the help of BALCO, to circumvent the shoddy rules to transform his body into graphic-novel dimensions for us to appreciate him.
I personally (along with millions of others) was a Bonds fan, even during the period of his career where he began to ostracize the fans and the press. His personality stunk, but he was still a great ballplayer and he had to be appreciated for that.
Still, we gave him the benefit of the doubt.
But that appreciation has worn out over time. Bonds is now 43, going on 44. Most players are long-retired by this point in their lives, but Bonds is somehow still in playing shape. The steroid accusations made over the years against him are now being realized as truths.
Bonds is currently battling the U.S. government over his alleged steroid use, having been charged with perjury and obstruction of justice. Try to explain this to a 7-year-old (or a 47-year-old for that matter). Correct answer: you shouldn't have to.
With all the scrutiny on performance-enhancers, their legality, obtainability, and effect, Bonds can no longer be part of the MLB infrastructure. He is the 'poster child' of the Steroid Era. No one wants him sporting their logo...."
5 months ago
I agree he can still play. with advancing age and no longer on steroids (maybe), he won't post anywhere near the numbers he used to. But he could help a clun offensively. The problems aer two-fold. First, who wants the baggage and sulking superstar personality to ruin a good clubhopuse? And two, he can't play the outfield so he's limited to DH duty, which removes the NL from the equation.
Now, on to you. Why would you be willing to do soemthing for a cheater who wouldnt' take the time of day to acknowledge you if you needed help? The man is not only a vicious chater, and a bully and all-around jerk, who shouldn't have the home run record, but he could care less about the game or about his fans. He wants the money and fame, that's all.
He's a punk and doesn't deserve your devotion. Find someone worthwhile to point your allegiance to; there are plenty of ballplayers who do good things all the time. But he sure ain't one of them. And he's old so let him retire like he should.
from 5 months ago
As a Cubs fan you should understand the idea that you can't just pick your teams and sometimes you can't help who plays for them. If I wasn't a Giants fan, maybe my theory would be a lot different.
5 months ago
I agree that Barry Bonds can play, in fact I agree with all five of your reasons. However, I don't think he will play again. I don't think teams would take on the risk...especially Detroit (Gary Sheffield still plays there...)
5 months ago
Bonds should be picked up He is perhaps The Greatest Ever. His Best years were long before Balco and he got a bad Wrap when shoving that reporter in the Lockeroom after asking Him to get out of his face 4 previous times. After Princess Diana and others were pounded by the Media. Several have punched reporters broken there cameras and We praise them. Yet Fans hated Bonds for the same actions mostly anti SF Fans. Years earlier if you have been in the Media they can really get to your Goat even to a Gracious Person. Bonds has been harrassed while going through alot of trying times and just Stood in Left Field and Took the yealing and harrasment and continued to play as a Golden Glove I will always be a Bonds FAN Barry,His father and His God Father is the Greatest of all time.
I HOPE TO SEE HIM PLAYING BALL AGAIN SOON GO BET EM BARRY BURT
5 months ago
Bonds is now an untouchable, along with Clemens. No matter the need, or how cheap he is, no general manager wants to take the chance of negative publicity that comes with signing someone that is known as the biggest jerk in sports. NO CHANCE.
Bonds is a great player, but he will not join my team if i'm a GM.
5 months ago
Barry Bonds being locked out of baseball is eerily similar to Ty Cobb being locked out of the "Field Of Dreams" ball field in the Kevin Costner baseball movie classic:
Ray Kinsella: Where'd they come from?
Shoeless Joe Jackson: Where did WE come from? You wouldn't believe how many guys wanted to play here. We had to beat 'em off with a stick.
Archie "Moonlight" Graham: Hey, that's Smokey Joe Wood. And Mel Ott. And Gil Hodges!
Shoeless Joe Jackson: Ty Cobb wanted to play, but none of us could stand the son-of-a-b*tch when we were alive, so we told him to stick it!
5 months ago
The problem is that these factors, albeit interesting ones, cannot top these three fundamental problems with Bonds:
1. Salary
2. Baggage
3. Clubhouse Chemistry
Why else would a team like the Blue Jays (who dumped Thomas) take a pass on an available DH like Bonds?
from 5 months ago
I really am interested on what Bonds' salary demands are. If he is expecting to be paid well your right its a huge problem. Also If the team writes in something to get them off the hook if he goes to jail, maybe just maybe, the baggage is solved. The chemistry is a problem. The clubhouse chemistry outside of Leyland, maybe there isn't anyone who can keep him in check other then himself
5 months ago
Barry Bonds is a cheater. Everyone knows it, so nobody wants him, regardless of anything positive he can bring to a clubhouse.
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