It's still hard to fathom how Barry Bonds remains jobless. Looking purely at his stats, here's a guy that OBP'd .480 last year. He got on base half the time he walked up to the plate. Most teams would kill for that. But as Tom Verducci points out today, once the Blue Jays decided not to pursue Bonds, the curtain has likely been drawn on the man.Now here's the bad news for Bonds: The Toronto Blue Jays, the very definition of that best-case scenario for him, want absolutely nothing to do with Bonds.
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The risks? The possibilities that he poisons the clubhouse, challenges the manager's authority (think he's going to listen to John Gibbons, such as if he asks him to stretch with the team?), demands special treatment, brings media and legal distractions, breaks down physically, turns 43 in July at a time when stars of the Steroid Era are falling off career cliffs, and generally harms whatever team culture an organization has established. As Jays president Paul Godfrey told a Toronto radio station, 680 News, back in March when Jays officials ruled out Bonds after, oh, five minutes of thought, "We all agreed unanimously that Barry Bonds would be a major distraction to the team."
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Milwaukee Brewers starter Ben Sheets delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 29, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
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Minnesota Twins' Boof Bonser pitches in first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Tuesday, April 29, 2008 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
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Dan Mullin, Major League Baseball's new vice president of investigations, poses for a picture at MLB headquarters in New York, Monday, April 28, 2008. MLB's new investigative unit is at work on several probes that could lead to discipline while also dealing with the burgeoning business of player identity theft. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Dan Mullin, Major League Baseball's new vice president of investigations, poses for a picture at MLB headquarters in New York, Monday, April 28, 2008. MLB's new investigative unit is at work on several probes that could lead to discipline while also dealing with the burgeoning business of player identity theft. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Philadelphia Phillies' Chase Utley turns the double play as San Diego Padres' Brian Giles slides after Tadhito Iguchi grounded in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 29, 2008 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)
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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jason Hammel throws to a Baltimore Orioles batter during the first inning of a baseball game,Tuesday, April 29, 2008, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
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Baltimore Orioles pitcher Garrett Olson throws to a Tampa Bay Rays batter during the first inning of a baseball game,Tuesday, April 29, 2008, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
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Tampa Bay Rays catcher Dioner Navarro tags out Baltimore Orioles' Adam Jones at home during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 29, 2008, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
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Cleveland Indians second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, right, throws to first base over Seattle Mariners' Brad Wilkerson (6) to complete a double play on Mariners' Kenji Johjima in the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 29, 2008, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
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Seattle Mariners' Jose Vidro follows through on a double off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Fausto Carmona to drive in a run in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 29, 2008, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
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Ah yes, lest I forget, Bonds is more than just stats. He's viewed as trouble, a cancer, an aging, over-priced former superstar who despite what he would be worth at the plate, just isn't worth the risk involved. I once opined that Bonds would be fit to end his career in the AL as a DH, spending his last days on the bench save for a few plate appearances a game. He became the monolith hitter of all monolith hitters. It seemed only fitting.
Now, it seems not returning to the game is his fate. No one is willing to take a chance on the guy, no matter what he can still bring to the plate. I would have loved to see what Bonds could have pulled off as a guy turning 43 in July. (Steroids aside, he's still a captivating player.)
It's looking like we won't get that chance. And perhaps for us, for baseball, and even for Barry himself, it might be best. Farewell, Mr. Big Head.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 17)
4-29-2008 @ 7:29PM
Martin said...
I wish you were right, as I cannot comprehend how anyone can have such a low ethical standard as to bask in the glory of breaking the home run record knowing he cheated to get the record. However, I am afraid that about half way through the season, a team looking for that last little push to make the playoffs will sell its soul to the devil and take him off the unemployment rolls.
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4-29-2008 @ 7:55PM
ROBERT RAYA said...
GOOD RIDDENCE. WHO NEEDS THE DISTRACTION IN THE CLUB HOUSE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR THE LEGAL PROBLEMS OFF THE FIELD. HIS RECORDS SHOULD ALL HAVE AN ASTERISK ANYWAY.
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4-29-2008 @ 8:12PM
ted wilson said...
NO RISK NO REWARD..... GET THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB.. HE SELLS TICKETS, AND PROBABLY WOULD BE GRATEFULL FOR THE OPPERTUNITY.. IF HE REMAINS A JERK THAN THAT WILL BE HIS LEGACY.. GIVE HIM A CHANCE...
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4-29-2008 @ 10:17PM
Steve said...
Once a liar and a cheat always a liar and a cheat...Bonds and Clemmens deserve each other... Hall of Shame
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4-29-2008 @ 10:35PM
Orlando Fred said...
It has nothing to do with the Steroids or any of that crap.
The guy is getting really old.
Show me any other 43 year old playing in any other profession sports league at the highest level.
He's old, Period.
Stop putting down what he has accomplished. It's amazing.
But, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson aren't getting any offers from NBA Teams Either, and neither is Jordan.
Everybody gets old. Give the Man the respect he deserves. He did something amazing and played for a really long time.
But let him go out with a little dignity and respect. Please.
Why are you media guys always like this? Such Losers and Jerks. None of you ever came close to even riding the bench in the big leagues, let alone breaking the all time home run record.
Give me a break.
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4-29-2008 @ 11:04PM
ALBERT SOLTESZ said...
I'll give him the respect he deserves *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** HA HA hope his old a@@ chokes on his corked bat! RESPECT my butt
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4-29-2008 @ 11:32PM
warren goldfein said...
If I was one of the baseball writers, I'd still have to vote for his admission into the Hall of Fame, based on his overall accomplishments. However no one will miss him from the game. There's an old saying, "If you fart in church, you'll wind up sitting alone in a pew."
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4-30-2008 @ 12:10AM
S1994s said...
I have been a Dodger fan for 56 years. I lived and breathed Dodger baseball. Even when they moved to LA I would sit up after 11 pm and search the radio dial to hear away games that the Dodgers would be playing in, Pittsburg, the Mets, Atlanta, Chicago Cubs, Cinn. Reds, even the Giants broadcasted games back to NYC for a year after they moved. Baseball was exciting then, when we had a good team we knew they would be back again for many years. Players played because they loved the game. They played hard, they often played injured, pitchers strived to go nine innings. We had teams that employed the same players for years and years, we loved those players because they were part of our teams for many years. I am sad to say that I know longer have the love and the following I had for my Dodgers. And I know many older fans feel the same way about their life long teams. You picked your team when you were yo und and you rooted for them for a lifetime now come hell or high water. That is all gone know, there is now team loyalty. Most players could care less where or who they play for as long they find the team who will pay them the most bucks. I guess we are all greedy, but it is a shame that it had to permeate the once pure baseball world. Young fans will no longer know the joy of following a group of dedicated players for decades. They will see very few players anymore who work on weaknesses to make them strengths, who will give up their swings to move a runner along to build a run. The game has gone sour for me, not to even mention the steroid plague. Sure I watch the Dodgers when they are on National TV, but I don't watch the games on the computer or listen for distant radio stations anymore. The Duke Sniders, Jackie Robinsons, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reeses, Carl Furilos, are gone, as are the great mangagers, Walter Alston, Yogi Berra. I hope the game can live again, but we need real men who love the game to come forward and take it back and show loyalty to the fans.
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4-30-2008 @ 12:17AM
Lex said...
There was a stat in the SF Chronicle newspaper during the final week of his year, last year. It mentioned the Mr. Bond's had been paid by the Giants $173 MILLION over the years as a San Francisco player. Was he exciting, yes... numbers, somewhat fraudulant, don't you think...Hall of famer, Hall of Shamer'...America wants numbers, home runs and let's look the other way when cheating is involved...
Let em explain to his son about that affair on his mother that lasted about 7-8 years...
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4-30-2008 @ 12:38AM
how do you spell mookie said...
The AL Central (sans Chicago) Toronto, Seattle and Texas could use him. They would be stupid not to sign him. The stipulation for any GM is simple, Hey Barry you're only 1 of 25! If he'd agree to this caviat then I guaran-damn-tee you that he would produce...at the plate and at the box office!
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4-30-2008 @ 3:23AM
Michael Kline said...
If baseball was REALLY about winning, then Barry Bonds would be playing right now...but its not about winning at all. No team is willing to consider the possibility of alienating the white fans by hiring a player who could/might/possibly help them win some games or make the playoffs or win it all.
Its a sad day for baseball. Barry will be fine...he's rich, healthy and young enough to enjoy it all for years to come.
He belongs in the HOF and everyone knows it...but so does Pete Rose and he is no closer to Cooperstown now than when Bart Giamatti was alive.
Good bye baseball....I grew up with Koufax and Drysdale, Maury Wills and the Davis boys, Jim Gilliam and Johnny Roseboro. I still hope for the chance to get even with Juan Marichal....but that was in another life. Baseball is no longer part of mine.
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4-30-2008 @ 3:35AM
Michael Kline said...
Hey Orlando Fred...check this out...this guy is almost 50 and still at the top of his game in his sport.
Walter Ray Williams, Jr. (born October 6, 1959 in Eureka, California) is one of the top-ranking professional ten-pin bowlers in history. He currently holds the record for all-time PBA career titles (44) and total PBA earnings (over $4,000,000 through 2007-08).[1] He starred in the ten-pin bowling sports documentary A League of Ordinary Gentlemen. He is also a six-time world champion in the game of horseshoes
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4-30-2008 @ 7:21AM
Warren said...
Barry Bonds is a Phuqing " Maggot" ,that is all there is to it ,no well this or well that about Barry,He is a MAGGOT, and he will Never ,that's NEVER,get into the hall of fame!
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4-30-2008 @ 7:23AM
ST said...
no respect for cheaters..period
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4-30-2008 @ 7:29AM
Mark said...
Better late than never............ cheated his way to the top.
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4-30-2008 @ 7:30AM
BiiG T said...
You all would love to make this about Barry. The real thing in the back of everyones mind is the black (------) broke Babe Ruths record and we found a way to shame him and save face. I think he is incredible just to be able to hit the ball let alone home runs. Steroids may have been a factor but who knows how many people and how far the substance abuse goes back. Steroids is the name for what our time calls it. It may have had a different name for it back then. So those of you who have ruin the sport, can you please, let whats left of the game, leave it the hell alone. thanks
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4-30-2008 @ 7:32AM
ROE said...
STERIODS CAN'T MAKE YOU HIT A 100MPH FASTBALL. THEY WERE NOT ILLEGAL DURING THAT TIME BUT HE SHOULD HAVE FESSED UP. CANT TAKE AWAY FROM BARRY'S ABILITIES OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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4-30-2008 @ 7:33AM
Tracey said...
HE's A CHEATER!!!!!!
HANK AARON IS THE HOMERUN KING!!!!!!!!!!!
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4-30-2008 @ 7:34AM
PW said...
First of all, I don't find it surprising that people are lamenting the loss of the "old" baseball. That's what it is--an old, tired sport full of fat, overpaid, unathletic "athletes". The injuries that put the players on the DL could easily be sustained in a kitchen or retail job. I just don't get why people still care about baseball. It's a sport that originated in a time when being an athlete didn't mean running fast, jumping high, or having strength. Newer sports have pushed their way through to the American eye--football, basketball, hockey, and even NASCAR. These sports all require athleticism, speed, power, and strength that a slow sport like baseball doesn't require. We live in the 21st century, not the 19th, and overpaid old farts like Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds can't seem to adapt to the new reality without cheating. It's time for us to leave them--as well as the sport of baseball--in the dust. If parting with baseball isn't an option (and it might not be with me, since I sometimes enjoy going to the games), the players' salaries should at least be reduced. Athletic ability should be rewarded, and thus players in sports like football, basketball, and hockey, which require more of it, should be paid higher in relation to baseball players.
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4-30-2008 @ 7:35AM
Chunk said...
I just cant see him as a box office draw. Certainly not like seeing Mays, Montana, Namath one last time b4 the end. Maybe a draw for people who like to get drunk and heckle.
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