Don’t go away mad, just go away
The Barry Watch is back in high gear. The sporting world’s printing presses practically broke down yesterday, as everyone thought that Barry Bonds was minutes away from being activated and returning to the lineup. Of course, it didn’t happen, but MAN, wouldn’t that have been cool if it did?
If you say so.
Sorry, I can’t even pretend to be interested in seeing Bonds return this year. Even with the Giants suddenly “in the running” in the NL West (They’re 11 games under .500, but only five games behind the first place Padres), is he really remotely close to playing at the level that he expects from himself? As Tony Kornheiser brilliantly pointed out on “Pardon The Interruption” yesterday, if he’s put in as a pinch hitter, then he’ll just get walked. Once he’s on first base, Felipe Alou will send out a pinch runner. Boom, Bonds is out of the game. Until he can run, it doesn’t matter whether he can hit.
But never mind any of that. Why would he even bother to come back? Baseball doesn’t want him back, not on the heels of Rafael Palmeiro’s ignominious sendoff. More importantly, the fans don’t seem to want him back either. Plus, it’s September. If he starts tomorrow, he plays three weeks, tops. Of course, these are probably the exact reasons why Bonds is so hell bent on returning. It fits his stubborn tendencies to a tee to want to come back when no one wants or expects him to.
In my mind, he would be wise to remain as far removed from the 2005 season as he possibly can. But what do I know? I’m part of the angry media that’s out to get him.
I totally agree. He and Raffy should just disappear. The playoff races are awesome, and we don’t need Bonds and all the controversy about steroids to take over the news.
Can you imagine how pathetic it will be to see this clown pass up Babe Ruth and then Hank Aaron?
You’re right, though — Bonds wants to come back because nobody wants him back. He loves that controversy, and he loves the fact that everyone hates him.
As for the Giants, I guess the only reason it makes sense to activate him would be if they can get him into some tight games with runners on and no room to walk him. And since Felipe can pick and choose his spots, they’ll probably bring him back, assuming Bonds’ rehab cooperates, of course.
But then again, if you’re down a run, what are you looking for aside from a game-winning homer? Base runners. So while he may get very few opportunities to swing the bat with the game on the line, Bonds would give the Giants some extra opportunities to score late and, in a pennant race, that could make a huge difference.
Bonds is finished!!! His body cannot recover without that special “cream” he used in the past. Look for a pulled hammy(aka Juan Gone) or some type of major muscle pull during his pathetic so-called comeback….
It will be interesting if he comes back and sucks like Raffy now that he’s off the juice.
I highly doubt that. Bonds was a great player before he turned into Mecha-Bonds, the home run smasher. His batting average is always well above .300, which suggests that he knows how to hit more than just dingers.
Still, I wonder if he suffers a little performance anxiety over people scrutinizing every pitch of every at bat he has this year. Of course, if that happens, any slump will be our fault, not his.