Barry Bonds Has Been Blackballed: He Deserves Far Better

[Better Believe It]

The Bonds Vanishes
The Boss's Boycott
By DAVE ZIRIN
Counterpunch
May 12, 2008


Meet Barry Bonds, the Leon Trotsky of Major League Baseball. In 2007 Bonds broke the most hallowed record in sports, passing Henry Aaron's record for home runs. When he wasn't injured, this maestro of the batter's box packed San Francisco's ballpark, despite a team that stank like cottage cheese left on a radiator. At season's end, the Giants refused to re-sign him, with owner Peter Magowan saying, "We're going in a new direction; that would not be going in a new direction. The time has come to turn the page." That is surely his right, but the page hasn't just been turned, it's been raggedly erased.

All traces of Bonds, the greatest player in baseball history, have vanished from the Bay. The left-field wall no longer carries an image of Bonds chasing Hank Aaron for the crown. There is no marker of where Bonds hit home run number 756. There is no reminder that Bonds ever even wore a Giants uniform.

But it's not just Magowan trying to "disappear" Barry Bonds. He has been blackballed in a blatant and illegal act of Major League collusion, a bosses' boycott. Yes, Bonds' fielding has become painful to watch in recent years, as the seven time gold glover limped around the outfield on knees grinding together without cartilage. But despite the agony of movement most of us take for granted, Bonds still hit 28 home runs in 340 at bats, led the NL in walks, and had an on base percentage of .480. Since 1950, only Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Norm Cash, and Bonds himself have recorded higher OBP's.

Bonds deserves far better than to be forced into retirement and have his history coarsely expunged. The overriding ethos of the sports world is that of the meritocracy. If you are good enough, then you get to play. Yet a man who can get on base 48% of the time, has been told to go home and a new generation of fans will never see the Mozart of the batting cage. This is about more than a baseball player. It's about people in power deciding on utterly unjust grounds, who gets to take the field, who gets to be heard, and even who gets to be remembered. Somewhere, Stalin smiles.

Please read the entire article at:
http://www.counterpunch.org/zirin05122008.html

[madokie]

1. would his alleged steriod use have anything to do with it

So if it is true is it fair to Hank to be topped by a player using performance enhancing drugs?

[Mudoria]

3. Not to mention he's a cancer in the locker room.

[LTR]

27. And a 44 year-old overpriced designated hitter

One of the main reasons nobody else signed him is his age and his asking price, not to mention the steroid allegations and the fact that he's a cancer in the locker room.

[Angleae]

31. And the fact he's been indicted for perjury & obstruction

[Better Believe It]

5. Alleged! If It Is True! But Who Needs Proof?

Hank Aaron had many more at bats when he "broke" Babe Ruths record so perhaps an asterisk ought to be placed next to Aaron's record.

It took Roger Maris 162 games to "beat" Babe Ruth's 60 home runs season record set in 154 games. So perhaps an asterisk ought to be placed next to Maris's record.

Unlike Hank Aaron, how many pitchers on steroids did Barry Bonds have to face when batting and how many pitchers (including Hall of Famers) using illegal spitballs did Bonds have to confront when hitting?

We don't know if and when Bonds used steroids. We do know for sure, that at least since 2001, Bonds was absolutely clean, drug free, and demonstrated just as much hitting ability as during the alleged steroid years.

Bonds was without a doubt the greatest hitter in baseball history and racist attacks by white media writers (especially SI) can't change that. Notice how they write little or nothing critical about Mark McGuire, another alleged steroid user?

[madokie]

6. I see no comparisons there

[BigDaddy44]

22. Why is this all of a sudden a racial thing?

Did you see the media going easy on Pete Rose? And you think they haven't been rough on Mark McGuire? Uh, he's gotten less than 25% of the vote on the last 2 Hall of Fame ballots. Guess who votes? The writers. He will never get into the Hall of Fame despite having statistics that merit it.

Barry's just a jerk. There's no other word for it. Thats why writers can't stand him. Oh, and the fact that his friggin HAT size got bigger by two sizes. He's a cheater. Plain and simple. The fact that he's an African American cheater is ancillary.

[LTR]

52. Maris DID have an asterisk* next to his name

Until McGuire broke his record.

I don't believe in asterisks in the record books. The game changes, and many of these records stand for so long that it's still an accomplishment when they are broken. I think the old timers were just biased in replacing Babe Ruth's long-standing record with that of a relative nobody like Roger Maris (who belongs in the HOF, IMHO).

[sabbat hunter]

112. actually he never did

despite Ford Frick's statement there never was an * or other special mark next to Roger Maris's record.

That being said Barry Bonds in an A-hole, a cancer in the locker room and very overpriced. If he hadn't been chasing the record last year, chances are he wouldn't have gotten that 1 year deal from the Giants for the 07 season.

[JackDragna]

79. Several of your premises are wrong..

..both socially and baseball-wise. Firstly, the asterisks next to people's names are there due to inconsistencies in when the records were set, not due to their personal failings. I also dispute the assertion that we know Bonds was drug free. As I said in a post below, there are plenty of drugs (such as HGH) for which reliable tests are not available.

I would also dispute strongly the claim Bonds is the greatest hitter of all time. Nobody beats Ruth in terms of a combination of power and pitching, and most of the great hitters of the dead-ball era (Cobb, Jackson, Wagner) were much better at hitting for average.

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

87. *

"Hank Aaron had many more at bats when he "broke" Babe Ruths record so perhaps an asterisk ought to be placed next to Aaron's record."

in a different time of baseball, HR's were far fewer in number and it was a far more low scoring game in Aarons time.

"It took Roger Maris 162 games to "beat" Babe Ruth's 60 home runs season record set in 154 games. So perhaps an asterisk ought to be placed next to Maris's record."

You're forgetting that for *many* years it was.

"Unlike Hank Aaron, how many pitchers on steroids did Barry Bonds have to face when batting and how many pitchers (including Hall of Famers) using illegal spitballs did Bonds have to confront when hitting?"

Umm in Aarons day there was about 1.7 HR's per game each team hit (about 137 per team per year) today thats up to about 2.3 (186.3 per team per year).. I think its pretty clear whos winning the juiced up pitchers vs juiced up hitters battle to the tun of nearly 50 team HR's per year.

"Bonds was without a doubt the greatest hitter in baseball history and racist attacks by white media writers"

Hmm so attacking bonds (African American) to the benefit or Aaron (African American) is racist?

[Bake]

99. Once again, the racist charge ... utter bullshit

Hellooooooooooooo ... the record he "broke" was held by Hank Aaron, who (last time I looked) was a BLACK MAN!!!!

No, they don't talk about McGwire, because he had the good sense and grace to retire quietly, unlike Barry "In Your Face" Bonds.

Maris' record DID have an asterisk in the record books for years, until it was finally removed. A season is a season.

Pitchers have always thrown the spitter. I'm sure Ruth faced a few spitballers as well.

Bottom line, look at photos of Bonds from when he first came into the league, and compare that to his oversized, bulked up frame in the last few years (inluding the size of his melon!!) and tell me he wasn't juicing. Only the most naive fans on the planet don't believe he was juicing. He's a big fat cheater, and baseball doesn't like big fat cheaters (karma is catching up with Roger Clemons too, so don't say it's a racial thing).

Bake

[Dreamer Tatum]

106. You have no idea what you're talking about. None.

My personal opinion is that Hank Aaron is the greatest player who ever lived, because I figure in longevity and consistency. Putting
scare quotes around 'broke' reveals an entire heirarchy of ignorance. As for those "racist" SI writers...get them in a room and tell them
you want to asterix Aaron's record. Assuming they don't knock you over with laughter first, you'll see how "racist" they are.

The record is for home runs in a season, not in 154 games, otherwise people would take stock in Most April Home Runs or Most Home Runs Post-All Star Break. Who traveled more to play, Ruth or Maris? Who dealt with more media scorn, Ruth or Maris? Who played against better quality pitching, Ruth or Maris?

And wait a second: Bonds IN NO WAY took steroids, but you want to know how many pitchers he faced were on steroids? You're sure Bonds was off the juice after 2001, but you're equally sure pitchers weren't? And SPITBALLS? Are you aware that spitballs, greaseballs, mudballs, and cut balls were de facto legal pitches in the Aaron era?

I won't even mention the multiple concussions Bonds would have received from Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Virgil Trucks, and so on for crowding the plate and posing after home runs the way he did.

And Ted Williams was the greatest hitter ever. This is not a subject for debate.

I don't know who this 'Mark McGuire' is, but Mark McGwire is a baseball outcast. Please show me the fawning articles about McGwire written since 1999.
Please.

[devilgrrl]

2. Who gives a rat's ass?

eom

[NCDem60]

4. Sadly,

this came one year to late.

[blondeatlast]

7. No, he really doesn't. Just my opinion, but obviously you wanted some comment.

So you have mine, you lucky person!

:evilgrin:

[Neecy]

8. The guy has major legal issues

And while he may not have to appear in court over the course of this season, it's something that's out there and many MLB teams don't want to deal with the publicity of it or hold this guy out as some kind of role model to the kids who come to the park.

In the end, he did it to himself. Not wanting a clubhouse cancer or a guy who's seriously suspected of cheating or one who may be in prison next year isn't collusion, it's a business decision.

That being said, the fact that the Giants are wiping him out of their history is pretty shameless. They knew what they had and they used him to fill seats in their new ballpark and there's no excuse for what they're doing. (Disclaimer: I hate the Giants anyway).

[tuckessee]

9. No collusion.

It's just that nobody wants an arrogant, selfish, divisive, moody jerk with felony indictments hanging over his head on their team.

[Better Believe It]

10. Do You Know Barry Bonds Real Well?

Oh .... you must know him personally to make those judgements about his character and personality.

Or did you just pick that up in the corporate media?

[frylock]

20. what's your relationship with bonds?

everyone but yourself and a handful of SF honks realize what a cancer this asshole is in the clubhouse. but please, regale us with your personal experiences with Mr. Bonds.

[michreject]

11. Better living through chemistry

Hope he's snuffed out of the HOF too.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

12. Oh please.

Baseball is not charity. No one has to sign him, especially when he's almost certainly demanding an amount of money he is nowhere near worth. He hung around, got his HR record (which I'll never acknowledge nor will most baseball fans) and now should just go away.

[Better Believe It]

13. Why Barry Bonds Is Not On Steroids

Counterpunch Weekend Edition
March 27 / 28, 2004

Reasonable Doubt
Why Barry Bonds is Not on Steroids
By DAVE ZIRIN

Now he is poised to pass Willie Mays, Babe Ruth and Henry Aaron to become the all-time home run champ. We should be marveling at his accomplishments, planning the tales to tell our children about the mighty Bonds. Instead, a concerted effort led by the Bush administration and MLB owners, is leading an anti-Bonds PR campaign that Cubs Manager Dusty Baker likened to "McCarthyism." While Bonds and Yankee Jason Giambi probably won't be confused with Ethel and Julius Rosenberg any time soon, there is enough media and congressional hot air to steam an army of dumplings.

Reports about Bonds' body: how wide his back, how big his jaw, how thick his legs - basically dissecting the man like an animal - pepper the papers. Never mind that Bonds has maintained that he has never taken any banned substance. Never mind that other than the 73 home run year, Bonds - like Aaron - has never even hit 50. Never mind that Bonds' trainer, indicted for steroid distribution, has maintained Bonds' innocence even though such a juicy snitch would keep him out of the clink. Never mind that unlike Giambi, who showed up at training camp this year looking like Aly McBeal, Bonds has maintained his current physical shape for a decade, and even gained 6 pounds this off season. Never mind how common it is for all athletes, like Michael Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal, to thicken with age.

Never mind all of that. The greatest case for reasonable doubt lies in Bonds' very late career success. His unparalleled middle-aged majesty screams his innocence. Steroids and rapid "unnatural" muscle growth puts tremendous pressure on the joints and tendons. Admitted steroid users like former MVPS Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco, Lenny Dykstra and banned substance user Mark McGwire all saw their bodies break down as they hit their mid 30s. In the end, they limped away from their careers and were put down like Seabiscuit in Elmer's Glue Land. Bonds has thrived as he hurtles toward 40, not unlike Jerry Rice, Bret Favre, Reggie Miller, and Randy Johnson. To go by the rumors that surround him, Bonds' ankles should be snapping like toothpicks every time he jogs to first base.

I heard one sports radio chatterbox remark, "Even if Bonds isn't on steroids he is a freak, with his trainers, and supplements, and work out regimens. The Babe would drink a keg, eat a steak, and hit three home runs, Let's see Bonds do that." Therefore Bonds' very commitment to not being the oozing glutton that was Ruth is a knock against him. This is also revisionist history. Ruth was known to have all kinds of 1920s home remedies injected in his system for increased potency (I assume in the field). Ruth has also never been tagged with an asterisk despite the fact he never had to play against competition with black skin, or travel farther than the Mississippi to play. I would love to have seen Ruth face Satchel Paige in a sweltering San Juan double header. Bonds has produced in an era of the global talent pool, cross-country travel, and intense media scrutiny. But none of this will prepare him for the glaring intensity in his face this year. Whether the anti-steroid furies are motivated to "protect the game", crush the players union, or target Bonds - the fact remains: muscle enhancers cannot slam a 95 mph slider into McCovey Cove. Barry Bonds can - and Ashcroft, Selig, and Bush can kiss his asterisk.

http://www.counterpunch.com/zirin03272004.html

The above article is four years old but just as relevant today.

[Daveparts]

14. 20 million dollars

for a part time aging player? He priced himself out of the market.
his last year he only played every other day or 20 million for 80 games?
You can buy a lot of rookies with that kind of cash!

I don't know Barry Bonds, but I've seen the way he behaves on and off the field. If he doesn't like the press maybe he's was in the wrong business. Domino's pizza offers part time jobs, maybe he can find one that will pay him 20 million dollars.

I'm glad he's gone, don't wait by the phone for Cooperstown Barry it ain't coming.

[Better Believe It]

15. Check Your "Facts" He Wasn't Paid 20 Million Last Year

In fact, for the past two years, unlike most players, his salary went down .... a lot.

2005 San Francisco Giants $22,000,000
2006 San Francisco Giants $19,331,470
2007 San Francisco Giants $15,533,970

Not a single team made an offer, any kind of an offer to Bonds this year. He wasn't demanding 20 million bucks as you suggest.

This year he probably would have accepted a 10 million or like Sammy Sosa perhaps a lot less as a free agent. But MLB owners had an agreement to not sign him for any amount! And that's a violation of anti-trust law and the union collective bargaining agreement and that's why the players unions is taking the owners to court.

Gagne, the Milwaukee Brewers has-been closer signed for 10 million dollars this year. His record? 1 win, 2 looses, blown saves and an ERA of 6.89!

Now surely Bonds is worth at least that much to a team (larger attendance) and will certainly perform a whole lot better and do it as he has in the past, steroid free!

[gmudem]

17. So 10-15 million for a guy...

Who is clearly finished as a player, has a reputation of being a gigantic asshole, one that he was worked hard to earn btw. He's a cheater without a doubt.

Any team that signed him would have to put up with a complete PR nightmare as he is one of the most disliked players in the history of baseball.

Hey Barry, retire now you piece of shit!

[Better Believe It]

18. San Francisco Fans Luv Em!

Fans in other baseball towns don't like Bonds because:

1. He hammered their hometown pitchers.

2. The constant barraqge of racist right-wing media propaganda affected their ability to think clearly!

As you can see from several posts, the anti-Bonds corporate media campaign has even impacted even some people who are progressive on most issues!

[gmudem]

21. Oh gimme a break

1. I'm a Yankees fan, Bonds maybe played 5 games against us in his entire career.

2. It's not racist or right-wing. The guy is an asshole and a cheater. He cheats at baseball and cheats on his wives. His name is and will be synonymous with one of the ugliest eras in the history of the sport.

3. How delusional do you have to be to think that Bonds hasn't cheated? That's like Hillary supporters who still think she has a chance of winning. It's disgusting that he now holds records that some of the game's greatest players should rightfully have. Fortunately the only baseball fans who will acknowledge these records are the apparently deluded ones in San Francisco.

[JackDragna]

42. If anything, it's proof OF Bonds' steroid use.

Bonds was off the roids until his early 30's, when Sosa and McGwire had their famous home run chase. At that point, Bonds became tired of the attention they were getting. Even though Bonds was a great all-around player, he envied the accolades the two men received for being really good at one facet of the game. At that point, he began taking steroids, and his body eventually deteriorated due to their use.

Read "Game of Shadows" and come back and tell me with a straight face the man didn't use steroids. Nobody has that type of explosion offensively that late in their career.

[gmudem]

16. Should have happened years ago

Thank god the MLB was smart enough to get rid of this asshole. He absolutely did steroids, he admitted to taking the cream and the clear he just said "he didn't know what they were when he was taking them."

Uh excuse me Barry, how stupid do you think we are exactly?

It's such a disgrace that he now holds records over great players like Ruth, Aaron, and Maris.

[DiverDave]

19. Sorry, when your feet and head grow THAT much after age 25

and don't have a disease...you are on the creme/needle.

He is a cheater and deserves my scorn.

Or, is it cool to just tell my kids it's O.K. to cheat, just don't get caught, and WHEN you do, just do what the god damned repukelicans do, deny,deny,DENY??


Just sayin

[Better Believe It]

24. Oh? Did You Measure His Head And Feet?

Please give us his hat size and shoe size ....

before steroids.

during steroids

and after steroids.

Now this ought to be good since your so well informed on his dimensions.

Did his wee wee grow too?

You probably honestly believed he cheated. If so, which baseball pitchers do you think ought to be removed from the Hall of Fame for using spitballs? That's a clear violation of baseball rules and cheating!

[Neecy]

32. have a look....

I actually gave Bonds the benefit of the doubt before I read Game of Shadows. Now I think he's guity of steroids abuse beyond any reasonable doubt.

[burythehatchet]

41. now if only Clemens could get the same

[blondeatlast]

37. Likely his "wee-wee" shrunk (did you really use the term "wee-wee?')

:rofl:

I was involved in a relationship with a steroid user. He started off being quite the gentleman, but his assholishness grew as his chest and arms did--all the while his "wee-wee" (PENIS would be my term for it) shrunk to nothing. and he never made it to the big leagues as he hoped he would, never even got out of Double A.

It grew the guy's forehead, chest, forearms, and yes, feet--but shrunk his PENIS to nothing.

[Better Believe It]

45. Yes. I Thought Prick Would Sound Too Steroid Macho To You!

:)

[blondeatlast]

47. Well, I know pricks when I read their posts... nt

[DiverDave]

74. Just a quick google of 'bonds shoe size'

got me this from the book:

For his part, Murphy could document Bonds' physical changes via the changes in his uniform size. Since joining the Giants, Bonds had gone from a size 42 to a size 52 jersey; from size 10 ½ to size 13 cleats; and from a size 7 1/8 to size 7 ¼ cap, even though he had taken to shaving his head. The changes in his foot and head size were of special interest: medical experts said overuse of Human Growth Hormone could cause an adult's extremities to begin growing, aping the symptoms of the glandular disorder acromegly.

So, check the story's out there...or, I guess by talkin about his johnson, you take it off point?

Get a clue, you are backing a loser, druggie, cheater.

Or, is everyone else wrong, and you are right?

[Freddie Stubbs]

30. Perhaps he has Acromegaly

:shrug:

[Dreamer Tatum]

70. If he did, don't you think his lawyer would shout that from rooftops? nt

[northzax]

36. well if baseball feels that strongly

shouldn't they refund the money of everyone who paid for a game he was in? Since it was so obvious he was cheating?or should they just use him until the heat gets too much and then discard him?

Why do players like Paul lo duca get to stay, when they drop a hundred points on their average on the new rules?

[Dreamer Tatum]

23. Two men did something no one has ever done in the history of baseball

and that is play on a completely higher plane after age 37.

Those players are Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds.

They were juiced, period. No one goes through those bodily changes who is NOT juiced.

As for Bonds being the greatest player in the history of baseball? Nope, that's still
Babe Ruth.

The great shame of it all was that without the juice, Bonds would still have been one of the
top 5 of all time, hands down, no argument. Before he got jealous of McGwire and Sosa in 1998,
he was already regarded by many as a top 5 player. He might even still be in the game, as is also seems
clear that the juice affected his knees pretty profoundly.

I won't even get into Clemens, who is also a juicer.

[BigDaddy44]

25. Excellent post

You don't get better after 35. It just doesn't happen.

[Better Believe It]

38. Hank Aaron Had His Best Year When He Was 37 Years Old!

BigDaddy44 wrote: "You don't get better after 35. It just doesn't happen."

Hank Aaron did! Along with many more baseball players who were drug free.

In 1971, when Hank Aaron was 37 years old, he hit a career best 47 home runs and a career best .669 slugging percentage.

And he accomplished that playing in fewer games (139) with fewer at bats (495) than he normally had earlier in his career.

I guess that (and stats from other players) pretty well crushes your idea that you don't get batter at baseball after 35.

Will you now suggest that perhaps hammering Hank used steroids to accomplish that feat?

[JackDragna]

43. You're playing a smoke and mirrors game.

Aaron's batting stats were consistently good up until about age 37. The man didn't undergo a renaissance in his stats late in his career. It's also worth nothing his statistics dropped off after that year, whereas Bonds up until last year was still crushing the baseball.

[Dreamer Tatum]

44. What he said.

Aaron wasn't a juicer. Barry Bonds is.

Oh, and Aaron won't give Bonds the time of day. I wonder why...

[Better Believe It]

46. You're Proving My Point

JackDragna wrote: "whereas Bonds up until last year was still crushing the baseball"

Exactly! You're helping make my point.

For the last five years of his career, Barry Bonds tested negative for steroids and as you put it he "crushed the baseball" during those years when he was without any doubt drug free!

[JackDragna]

62. No, I'm not proving your point.

The point is that Bonds was not hitting nearly that well earlier in his career. He, unlike Aaron, did go through a Renaissance as a hitter. He could always hit for power, but his late 30's/early 40's saw him turn out arguably the best stats for a hitter ever, slugging-wise. The OPS's the man put up during that stretch are among the highest in baseball history.

I would also be careful saying someone who didn't test positive for steroids didn't use them. Drug tests are always a step behind the latest steroids. There are drugs modern steroids tests detect now that were off the radar ten years ago. People might have tested negative for performance-enhancing drugs back then, but it doesn't mean they were innocent. I know the burden of proof is on the positivie claimant in these matters, but Bonds' unusually high offensive output in the later stages of his career, coupled with evidence given by others about his playing days, indicates the man was using something.

[Dreamer Tatum]

65. This is a surreal argument

The evidence is overwhelming that Bonds juiced. The evidence is piling high that Clemens juiced. The only
people I ever hear argue that he didn't juice are those who know very little about baseball. Gee, I wonder
which workout Bonds did to not only grow his chest 50%, but also his HEAD?

This argument turns into a racial one awfully fast, so here are two other players who also don't pass the
sniff test: Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro. Ironically, Barry Bonds without the juice was orders of magnitude
greater than either of those guys.

[JackDragna]

78. I hate folks who turn this into a racial argument, too.

The man Bonds surpassed in the home run record books was himself black. Aaron won the home run title not only without using steroids, but while undergoing the kind of humiliation and death threats that would be completely unacceptable in modern major league parks.

It's also hilarious how blind people are to the change in Bond's physical appearance. A man can still put on some pretty decent muscle, if he tries, into middle age, but Bonds looked like the Incredible Hulk.

[Freedom Train]

58. Give it up, buddy. You're a loser.

Just like Barry Bonds.

[blondeatlast]

39. Exactly! Very well said; I would love to see the OP address those point by point.

I won't hold my breath, however...

[Rosemary2205]

48. Amen

[Oeditpus Rex]

84. I'm Shake Tiller

Nice to meet ya. :)

[Dreamer Tatum]

107. Runnin' fast ain't catchin' nothin' nt

[Oeditpus Rex]

108. I think I'll be right around where the ball is

Wherever that is.

[MadHound]

26. No, frankly he doesn't deserve what he's got

He cheated to get the records that he holds. Sorry, but the man's career can easily be divided into two eras, pre and post steroid use, and one look at his stats shows that divide quite clearly. Frankly Bonds and McGwire both need their records yanked, and have them revert back to Aaron and Marris.

Sorry, but I have no sympathy for cheaters, and I'm quite frankly that Bonds is no longer playing.

[SidDithers]

28. Maybe someone will sign him if he stays out of jail...

but until his legal issues are cleared up, he's radioactive.

Oh, and by all accounts, he's also an asshole. What clubhouse wants him with his locker room LazyBoy, 52" plasma and personal gaggle of hangers-on disrupting things?

Sid

[depakid]

29. How many players would an American pro sport league teams would pick up a player under indictment?

Sentence first, trial later.

[Richard Steele]

33. What a steaming load of crap. You should switch back to defending Chinese political repression.

nm

[blondeatlast]

40. Say it ain't so, Joe--

er, Dick.

Did the OP do that? I'm not sure I want to know the answer--especially about an OP who has Mandela as his avatar. :scared:

[Richard Steele]

53. Oh, it's so totally "SO"!

He spent a week posting so much Pro-China and
anti-Tibet propaganda, it was like DU had a direct line
to the Beijing Ministry of Information.



That's been the OP's pattern since he signed on:
picking a flamebait topic, working it to death,
then moving on to new flamebait.






Looks like he's running out of ideas- the internets
already -DID- the Barry Bonds thing months ago.


Richard

[SidDithers]

66. Oh, I'm sure he'll be back to "Da-Lie Lama"...

and Tibetan firebombers soon.

Sid

[blondeatlast]

73. Thanks for the heads up, see my reply to DS. nt

[blondeatlast]

72. I see--so next time I see him flame it up I shall point out that

he posts lamebait (intentional spelling) and move along...

Doesn't sound like he's even worth the moderators trouble.

Thanks for the heads up to you and Sid and those aware of these sorry-ass tactics.

[spoony]

59. Yeah he's quite the saint of unpopular causes

:P

[Johonny]

34. I agree

He clearly would help several teams offensively and it seems that there is a definite collusion to keep him out of the league. It certainly can't be a steroid factor because there are MANY players that admitted and even tested positive for steroids currently playing baseball. This is simply clear spite... and maybe a little more than that.

[KharmaTrain]

35. He's Box Office Poison

I had heard from a "source in the know" the A's were interested at one point...they needed a RH DH, but did a poll in the area and found the A's fans didn't want Bonds...a combination of the high price tag he was asking, the bitter feelings he's created with many fans (even in the Bay area) and his legal messes. He was a luxuary they couldn't afford...and they got Frank Thomas instead.

Few teams can use a Bonds...he's only good for either DHing or Pinch Hitting...can't play the field and would be a liability for any AL team going into an NL park.

What will be interesting is if Roger Clemmens tries his mid season "comeback" act. In either case, if an owner or GM thinks either of these players means a pennant or big money at the box office, race or investigation means nothing...only the almighty dollar.

[Hobarticus]

49. Collusion, my foot...maybe he's just an asshole?!?

Bonds is a jackass. He's a jackass to the fans, he's a jackass to local media, and he's poison in the clubhouse.

No team HAS to hire him, and no team owes him a photo on the wall or to retire his number or anything remotely ceremonial. Bonds made his bed, he can sleep in it. He's been paid well for his playing time. Now it's over. Buh-bye.

[HughMoran]

50. No he doesn't

He made this bed...

[L. Coyote]

51. WTF? Torture and War Crimes, noone care. Baseball and you get a ton of views.

We really are a nation of GOOD GERMANS, lulled by sports.

Never mind that our Resident Junta is a bunch of WAR CRIMINALS. We got baseball! WTF?

[gmudem]

60. We're not allowed to like baseball now?

Just because you don't like sports doesn't mean other people can't.

[Better Believe It]

64. I Care .... But I Really Don't Like The Racist Media Campaign Against Bonds

[Dreamer Tatum]

68. Racist my ass...give me a break

Read carefully: BARRY BONDS WAS AN ICONIC FIGURE, A ONCE-IN-A-GENERATIONS PLAYER. Then, by way of
the needle, he broke THE TWO MOST HALLOWED RECORDS IN ALL OF SPORTS. Suddenly, coverage of his downfall
is racist? Please.

Of COURSE he's going to generate a lot of press. So did Mark McGwire, with the Andro thing, and heaven
knows what else he took. You can't take the greatest player since Willie Mays, pump him full of roids,
have him break sacred records, and not expect crushing media attention.

If the Bonds coverage is racist, does that mean Mark McGwire revered and beloved? Um, no. He's pushing
golf balls around in the OC right now, nowhere near baseball, and he humiliated himself and the
game in front of Congress. He's a shameful figure. Do you think anyone was angry that black guy
Bonds broke McGwire's short-lived record? No one I know of...there should be asterices on both.

I will say it yet again: had he not juiced, Bonds would still have been regarded in the same company as Ruth, Mays, Aaron,
and Williams. Instead, he juiced, and shamed himself. Race is not a factor.

[JuniperLea]

77. Well said...

GAWD I hate this shit.

Bonds was a hero... and his juicing was a slap in the face to his fans... fans of all colors! Fuck him.

[Occam Bandage]

71. Everyone's angry he broke that fine, upstanding white boy Hank Aaron's record.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

76. When you look at the shit Hank had to go through......

......from his days in the minors not being allowed to eat at the same counter as his teammates up to death threats against his life when he was on the verge of breaking the record, the idiots claiming people who were pissed that a freak of the big money steroid culture of today's ballplayers broke that record are racists should buy a goddamn clue.

[JuniperLea]

75. Racist my ass!

He broke the fucking rules! It doesn't matter what color your skin is if you fuck up and break the stupid rules!

Jesus Christ on a Triscut!

This is way racism is rampant! You cannot tag every stinking mother fucking thing that happens to a black man on fucking race! This is how the race card loses it's power! This is part of the reason the number of racists in this country is growing daily, because it's used for everything under the sun instead of the very, very important issues it should be addressed with.

[LTR]

54. The original article answered its own question

But it's not just Magowan trying to "disappear" Barry Bonds. He has been blackballed in a blatant and illegal act of Major League collusion, a bosses' boycott. Yes, Bonds' fielding has become painful to watch in recent years, as the seven time gold glover limped around the outfield on knees grinding together without cartilage.

As I mentioned before, Bonds is almost 44 years old, and is extremely brittle at this point. No amount of BALCO juice can halt the inevitable.

He is also highly controversial. His asking price is likely way too high for a player his age with his health, his baggage and his locker room demeanor. Besides, how many players in their mid-40s making over $10 million are still out there? A few, but not many. Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens and a few others, but their time is coming up.

In addition, it's all about Bonds in Bonds' world. He's the only player to not sign the MLB licensing agreement for marketing deals, which every other player in the past four decades has done. Any company that wants to use his likeness (i.e. merchandise, video games) has to negotiate directly with him or exclude him. He's a primadonna.

The icing on the cake in all of this is that Bonds is still awaiting federal trial for the BALCO thing. No team wants to throw away 8 figures for a guy who's going to spend much of his time in the next year or two tied up in court, especially after what the Falcons went through with Michael Vick. It's not worth it, even for whatever value Bonds still has.

There is no collusion or blacklist. If a team wanted him, they would have signed him. I seem to recall a few of them sniffing around. But Bonds has way more negatives than positives at this point. He should just retire.

[hulklogan]

55. Buck Weaver was banned from baseball for NOT throwing the 1919 World Series.

Let's talk about someone who really didn't deserve the punishment he received at the hands of Major League Baseball.

http://www.gingerkid.com/

In an industry where image is just as important as playing skill, Barry Bonds has too much baggage. Does he need to keep playing to feed his family? No. Will his records be eventually recognized for what they were? Yes.

[Oeditpus Rex]

85. Technically, Weaver was banned

for not ratting out the other seven guys.



But, yeah. He got screwn.

[Gore1FL]

56. You have to admit

It would suck to sign someone for millions and have him collect in jail because of a perjury sentence.

HE is at best a DH now. He doesn't have the knees for an everyday spot.

[Traction311]

57. What about Sammy Sosa?

He's never been accused of anything, yet he can't get signed either. And why isn't Mark McGwire in the Hall of Fame? It isn't just Bonds who is getting a raw deal.

[trumad]

61. Sammy has most certainly been tainted by the steroid scandal

and McGwire practically the 5th in front of Congress.

[Traction311]

90. No one has ever accused Sosa of PED's

Not the Mitchell Report or even Jose Canseco. They just speculate because he got more muscular and started hitting home runs like crazy. As for McGwire, why should he tell Congress anything? He wasn't brought in to talk about himself.

[trumad]

115. you're too funny

and OJ is innocent eh?

[Traction311]

122. OJ had hard evidence linking him to the crime

Sosa's evidence: He got a lot more muscular over the years and starting hitting HR's like crazy. Not the same. When he's up for the HOF, he better be given the benefit of the doubt.

[JackDragna]

63. Sosa's long in the tooth, and beat up.

He's also never been accused of anything, but he's under suspicion. I remember Sosa when he first came up with the White Sox. His talents lay mostly in being a speedy outfielder and he wasn't covered with muscle. It wasn't until later that Sosa ended up looking like he could rip steel in half.

[Dreamer Tatum]

69. Sosa can't hit. Period. He's done.

Baseball doesn't have room for honorary superstars. If you can't hit or field, you're done.

For a very recent example of an exceptional player whose skills diminished quickly, look
up Jim Edmonds on Google News.

[Traction311]

91. Last year's stats prove otherwise

He's good for 30 HR's, easily.

[Dreamer Tatum]

103. And 200 strikeouts, and a .275 OBP

He can't hit. He's done.

How do I know? He's not playing.

[Traction311]

114. He had 112 strikeouts and a .311 OBP last year

You know NOTHING about him. He not playing because of politics, pure and simple

[Better Believe It]

116. You're Absolutely Wrong! Here's The Actual Bonds Stats For Last Year

Where are you finding your incorrect stats?

If you want baseball stats go to baseballreference.com

Are you just learning about baseball I don't know where you're located but you might want to attend a professional baseball game and play it! You could learn some things.

Barry Bonds Official Stats For 2007

At Bats 340

Hits 94

Home Runs 28

RBI's 66

Walks 132

STRIKE OUTS 54 (You wrote 112 strike outs)

BA .276

OBP .480 (You wrote .311 OBP)

http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bondsba01.shtml

[Traction311]

118. I was talking about Sammy Sosa

Someone had said he can't hit, and I gave last year's stats.

[Dreamer Tatum]

117. Oh, excuse me, 100 strikeouts and a .311 OBP

In other words, he's a AAA player now.

Thanks for making my point for me.

[Traction311]

119. 100 strikeouts is not bad at all

How about his 91 RBI's in a limited number of at-bats? Look, Frank Thomas at 40 was just signed by Oakland. Sosa could do just as good as Thomas, and hit more HR's. It's pure politics why he wasn't signed. I just wish all PED's were legal so we wouldn't be going through this nonsence right now.

[Dreamer Tatum]

120. Thomas is a hair's breadth away from release

Politics may have something to do with Sosa not being in the league, but a good argument can be made
that he's too replaceable. If PEDs had nothing to do with the story, Sosa's career would be at an end. Thomas'
career is very, very near its end. Bonds can still swing the bat, but even a DH has to run and be available
the next day. Even as DH, Bonds would need frequent rest. That isn't going to work.

[Occam Bandage]

67. The dude is a media circus on legs. What team would want him stinkin' up the joint?

Sure, he gets on base. Sure, he can crush the ball. But baseball teams are businesses, and picking up a known cheater under Federal indictment is bad for business.

[SidDithers]

80. Update: 15 new Felony Indictments for Bonds...

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gSlx_q4ArLfRvbwraKnKaTR2l3BgD90L4J880

Feds unveil new indictment against Barry Bonds

By PAUL ELIAS – 2 hours ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds was charged in a new indictment Tuesday with 15 felony counts alleging he lied to a grand jury when he denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs and that he hampered the federal government's doping investigation.

The career home run leader originally was indicted in November by a federal grand jury on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice.

Following a motion by Bonds' lawyers to dismiss the case, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in February ordered prosecutors to rewrite the indictment because multiple alleged lies were lumped into single charges.

On Tuesday, a grand jury handed up a superseding indictment charging Bonds with 14 counts of making false declarations to a grand jury in 2003 and one count of obstruction of justice. No new lies were alleged.

Well, not new indictments, I guess. Just a rewrite of the original indictment. But now it's 15 counts of perjury, instead of just 4.

And the OP is surprised that the guy can't get a gig with a Major League team?

Sid

[DiverDave]

81. Um, yeah, in view of these charges

he's getting a raw deal, and being discriminated against because he's just a poor ol black guy tryin to feed his family...no sarcasm thingee needed ( I hope)

[blondeatlast]

82. You damn liburuls are so tough--the poor m/billion dollar

celebrity is being so oppressed!!1

What's a little lie to a federal grand jury--if they can't take it, they shouldn't be a federal grand jury, now, should they?

(Since the OP may miss my tone--:sarcasm:)

[SidDithers]

83. It's funny how Grand Juries are sensitive about those things ...

:evilgrin:

Sid

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

86. Bonds is a great

but 28 HR's a year is not enough to keep a poor fielder *yes he is now a poor fielder* who is often injured. Would it have been classy of the Giants to keep him on for a bit? I suppose but it would not have been a good baseball move. Especially at the compensation he was expecting..

[Better Believe It]

88. Bond's Didn't Have Any Offers From Billionaire Owners

We don't know how much he was "expecting". We do know he took nearly a five million dollar pay cut for his last year with the Giant's so me might have agreed to just about any terms like Sosa did when he came back to play last year (a half million dollars).

The point is, not a single team made any offer for any amount indicating collusion on the part of the billionaire baseball owners. That's why the player's union is considering a lawsuit against the owners.

[blondeatlast]

89. Zzzzz... did someone say lamebait? nt

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

92. A roster spot for a DH who *might* get you 25 HR'sis rare

Hell half the teams in baseball have no need for a DH so we are just down to the national league. And then you have to consider its border line moronic to put that man on the field so you have at best an average hitting DR with knee problems who cant field.

Sosa spent his last days in the Minor leagues (FWIW) and Bonds would have likely ended up the same way.

[Better Believe It]

95. But His On Base Percentage Was Astounding .480 Last Year!

Barry Bond Number 756 Home Run Fan Celebration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PU4UisVAww

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

101. You dont get a DH to get walks...

He does not swing like he used to and he cant field hes less than half a player now..

[Better Believe It]

93. The Racist Blacklisting Of Barry Bonds

Those Who Care About Baseball Should Protest The Blacklisting Of Barry Bonds!
By Mike Gimbel
April 24, 2008
BlackCommentator.com

Mike Gimbel, is a former Consultant on Player Evaluation for the Boston Red Sox and the Montreal Expos.

How is it possible for the best hitter (Barry Bonds) in the National League in 2007 to be unable to find a job with any team in Major League Baseball in 2008? How is it possible for the greatest hitter in the history of Major League Baseball (Barry Bonds), after being the best hitter in the National League in 2007, to be unable to get a job with any team in Major League Baseball in 2008?

Here’s my computed Run Production Averages (RPA) for the top 27 hitters in Major League baseball in the 2007 season (minimum 400 computed plate appearances, as per RPA method). My method shows the season adjusted value of each plate appearance in terms of the runs produced by that batter per the RPA formula that I previously described in my Mike Gimbel's Baseball Player and Team Ratings 1995 (Mike Gimbel's Baseball Player and Team Ratings):

1. Alex Rodriguez .205
2. Carlos Pena .205
3. Barry Bonds .204
4. Chipper Jones .197
5. David Ortiz .194
6. David Wright .190
7. Jack Cust .185
8. Ryan Braun .183
9. Prince Fielder .176
10. Jim Thome .176
11. Magglio Ordonez .175
12. Curtis Granderson .175
13. Mark Teixeira .174
14. Hanley Ramirez .173
15. Adam Dunn .171
16. Chase Utley .171
17. Rickie Weeks .171
18. Grady Sizemore .170
19. Albert Pujols .169
20. Chris Duncan .168
21. Matt Holliday .167
22. Carlos Beltran .167
23. Corey Hart .165
24. Jorge Posada .163
25. Lance Berkman .162
26. Pat Burrell .162
27. Chone Figgins .160

In effect, MLB teams are willing to lose money rather than hire Barry Bonds. Isn’t that the definition of a Blacklist? The actors, singers, directors, etc… who were Blacklisted during the McCarthy era witch hunt were money makers for the entertainment industry, yet no owner would hire them! Isn’t that exactly what is happening with Barry Bonds? Weren’t many of these talented performers indicted and some convicted for refusing to cooperate with Grand Juries and dragged before government staged hearings in front of hundreds of cameras and reporters? Years later many of those blacklisted were apologized to, but did that apology make up for the destruction of their livelihoods and their personal lives during the McCarthy “Blacklisting”? Of course not!

I have a special disgust for the owners of the San Francisco Giants. They made $millions off Barry Bonds. They were able to build a money making stadium based, to a great extent, on Barry Bonds. Where is their gratitude? Nowhere! He was their star player who was loved by the fans in the Bay area, yet the SF Giants team owners shamefully released Barry Bonds after the 2007 season so as to do their part in the “Blacklisting”! They deserve a “Hall of Shame” of their own!

Please read the entire article at:
http://www.blackcommentator.com/274/274_protest_blacklisting_bonds_gimbel_guest.html

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

94. Im interested

if you can find the stats for locker room conduct...

[Better Believe It]

97. ???

You mean his not kissing up to Sport Illustrated and other corporate media people with post game comments?

He didn't care to be a "media star" and did his talking with his bat.

[SidDithers]

96. It's hard to hit home runs from a jail cell...nt

Sid

[Dreamer Tatum]

104. What a joke

Let's see...who on that list below Bonds can and does field the ball and run the bases...

Oh, ALL of them.

Bonds was broken down last year already. He took getaways days off so his knees would hold up over the weekend, and even then he took more
Sundays off than a banker.

Maybe the author of this steaming pile of bullshit should tip a glance at the 2008 Giants, who can start FIVE bona fide MLB-quality black players on a daily basis, which is more than almost any other team in the league.

[SidDithers]

98. Bonds: "I don't sign for white people."...

The Bonds incident involved Ron Kittle and a meeting Kittle didn’t enjoy with Bonds at Chicago’s Wrigley Field in 1993. Kittle hoped to auction a signed Barry Bonds jersey at a golf event, with the proceeds being given to a children’s charity. Kittle has written a book, “Ron Kittle's Tales from the White Sox Dugout” and included Bonds reaction to being asked to autograph a jersey which would benefit needy children.

"I paid about $110 of my own money for them, so they could be auctioned off at the golf outing. I did that all the time for stars like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Derek Jeter and Roger Clemens. When I tell them how their autographs help the cause, every player gladly signs — with one exception.

I walked up to Bonds at his locker in the Wrigley Field visitors' clubhouse, introduced myself and said, "Barry, if you sign these, they'll bring in a lot of money for kids who need help."

Bonds stood up, looked me in the eye and said, "I don't sign for white people." If lightning hits me today, I will swear those were his exact words. Matt Williams and other Giants were in the room and they heard what Bonds said.

More at: http://sportsbiznews.blogspot.com/2007/10/hammering-home-final-nails-in-barrys.html

Sid

[Better Believe It]

100. Ya Don't Say: Bonds Didn't Have Any Problem Signing Up With These White People

May 6, 2008

Dear Fans,

It’s been a while since my last update, so I’ll fill you in on what I’ve been up to lately.

Over the past couple of years, I have been involved with the UCSF Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. One of the nation’s top facilities, UCSF Children’s Hospital is a leader in the treatment of childhood cancer as well as kidney and liver transplants. They attend to many underserved children throughout Northern California and beyond.

In March, I attended the annual “Snuggly Soiree” event at the Getty Mansion which raises money for the Teddy Bear Rescue Fund. The fund helps fill special needs, such as food, transportation, housing, medication, tutors and amenities that insurance and government funds cannot provide. Currently, we are raising money to update and upgrade the children’s playroom at the hospital. It is important for these kids to have a safe and comfortable place to play and just be kids.

I do want to thank all of my fans and the people I see around town, at social events or at various basketball games. Your continued support and kind words really do mean a lot to me.


Until next time,

Barry Bonds





My guess is you might not like the Bonds Foundation because much of it is geared toward helping African-American youth in the Bay Area. I truly hope I'm wrong.


"The Barry Bonds Foundation's mission is to encourage, promote and fund programs designed to improve the educational achievements, standard of living and quality of life conditions for African-American youth within the Bay Area community. The foundation will place an emphasis on programs that use interactive technology-based solutions to achieve their stated goals.

About:

The partnership of The Barry Bonds Family Foundation and The United Way of the Bay Area joins two charitable organizations committed to improving the quality in our communities. Since 1996, The United Way of the Bay Area and The Barry Bonds Family Foundation have worked together to identify and address community needs. A key component to this relationship is the development of the Link 'N Learn project.

The Barry Bonds Family Foundation was founded in 1993 by baseball great Barry Bonds and other family members. Its mission is to encourage, promote and fun programs designed to improve the educational achievements, standards of living and quality of conditions for African-American youth within Bay Area communities. The foundation places an emphasis on programs that use technology-based solutions to achieve their goals.

Barry Bonds has long dedicated himself to assisting underprivileged children reach higher academic achievements and promote the general welfare of underprivileged children and their families. Other programs he has supported include the Barry Bonds Bone Marrow Campaign to Celebrate life, which promotes African-American bone marrow donors and raises funds to support families affected with leukemia and other blood-related diseases. The Field O' Dreams Project for Marin City raised funds to develop a playground for sports and other social and recreational activities. Homepage for the Holidays uses the Internet to collect donations from the community and deliver toys and gifts to low-income children on Christmas Day. Barry Bonds has also supported AASK America, a special-needs adoption program that helps increase the number of children who receive permanent homes."

http://barrybonds.mlb.com/players/bonds_barry/about/foundation.jsp

Well good for him and the young people he is helping. Glad to see he's spending some of that money for important social programs.

[SidDithers]

102. .pdf of new Bonds indictment here...

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/pdf/080513/bonds_superseding_indictment.pdf

Sid

[flvegan]

105. Bonds has been blackballed, but he did deserve it.

He cheated, got caught, then lied about it. Granted, a big chunk of the league is on "something" or has used "something" but Bonds has played the uber-asshole card about it. I'd not hire him.

[Better Believe It]

109. No Need For A Jury Trial : Bonds Has You To Judge Him!

You're the judge, jury and executioner and you don't even need to see any evidence!

So do you think we ought to just bypass a trial and convict him based upon your vast knowledge of the case?

You assume he's guilty until he proves himself innocent.

I hope you never serve on jury duty if the defendent is someone you just don't like.

[flvegan]

110. I hope you never act in defense of anyone.

Bypass a trial? Where exactly did I say that? Really. There's a difference between "cheating" and being convicted of it.

I've seen the "evidence". As a personal trainer and bodybuilder who loves baseball, I've very much kept up with this case, and you look like a total fucking idiot with your assumptions of what one knows or doesn't know.

He cheated. The trial will decide if he knew he was cheating and then lied about it. I still wouldn't hire him. Did you get that, mark?

[Better Believe It]

111. I've Served On Jury Duty

You flat out declared that brother Bonds "cheated, got caught, then lied about it."

That would be perjury.

That sure sounds like you convicted him to me .... without evidence and without a trial!

What would you prefer to call your statement?

Perhaps you'd like to rephrase it.

[flvegan]

113. It's called an opinion.

Get a dictionary.

[Fox Mulder]

121. No he doesn't.

[Evoman]

123. Well, maybe his balls wouldn't be so black if he got off the juice.

:evilgrin:

[Better Believe It]

124. Was That A Poor Attempt At A Racial Slur "Joke"?

[Evoman]

125. WHAT!!!

No!

It was an attempt at making a bad steroids joke. You know, fucked up shit happens when you take it. Like testicular shit.

Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about his skin color. It was a play on "blackballed".

Holy shit man...thats the first time anyones thought I was racist.

[Better Believe It]

126. OK. I Accept Your Explanation

I don't know anything about what happens to testicals when a man uses steroids. So a white persons balls would change color to black?

I have to admit this is the first time I've ever discussed the color of ones balls!

Seems we've gotten just a bit off subject!

:)