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.
