Supposedly, Barry Bonds is one of the three best outfielders in the NL — at least according to certain pundits on ESPN and elsewhere — because he is having a “great” season.
- Runs: 13th
- Hits: 32nd
- Doubles: 41st
- Triples: None
- Homeruns: 3rd
- RBIs: 42nd
- Total Bases: 21st
- Walks: 1st
- OBP: 1st
- SLG: 2nd
- AVG: 15th
Boy, that’s an all-star season if I’ve ever seen one.
I’m sorry, but drawing the most intentional walks (30 versus the next closest at 7 IBB) does not make you one of the top three outfielders in the league. It means you are the only offensive threat on an awful baseball team.
Bonds has hit 17 homeruns so far this season. Here they are:
#735 04/04 vs SD L 3-5 #736 04/13 at PIT W 8-5 #737 04/13 at PIT W 8-5 #738 04/18 vs STL W 6-5 #739 04/21 vs ARI W 1-0 #740 04/22 vs ARI W 2-1 #741 04/25 at LAD W 6-4 #742 04/28 at ARI L 4-5 #743 05/02 vs COL L 7-9 #744 05/05 vs PHI W 9-4 #745 05/08 vs NYM L 1-4 #746 05/27 vs COL L 4-6 #747 06/11 vs TOR W 4-3 #748 06/17 at BOS L 5-9 #749 06/22 vs NYY L 3-7 #750 06/29 vs ARI L 3-4 #751 07/03 at CIN L 3-7
- Record in games Bonds hits a homerun: 7-9
- Overall record: 36-46
What’s really going on is that a certain segment of sportswriters have taken it upon themselves to rewrite history and champion Barry Bonds for both the All-Star Game and his eventual passing of the home-run record mark. These writers are doing this while claiming the fans want Barry in the All-Star Game and are ready to forgive him.
Sorry. No, we’re not.
As for me, I’ll wait until he’s done, then start cheering Alex Rodriguez to break the record. Whatever his other faults (like being both a Yankee and a putz), A-Rod has never even been implicated, much less admitted to using steroids, failed drug tests, or tried to blame a teammate for his drugs.
blueboy | 05-Jul-07 at 7:15 pm | Permalink
Imagine cheering for ARod in Dodger Blue. The idea isn’t that far-fetched. If ARod opts out of his contract at the end of the season, Ned Colletti will have a perfect opportunity to sign that big bat. ARod could probably still be had at $25 million a year as long as he gets an extension. With Jeff Kent in his last year as a Dodger, and Rafael Furcal and Nomar Garciaparra signed through 2008, the Dodgers could use an infielder and a power bat. Heck, if Furcal is willing to play 2B, you could even give ARod his old position as Shortstop. The only thing that might keep this from happening is ARod’s representation: Scott Boras. Who knows? Maybe it’s just wishful thinking.
dualtone | 06-Jul-07 at 2:02 pm | Permalink
How about A-Rod at 3rd, Furcal at SS, Nomar at 2nd, and Loney at 1st? I think that might work out a little bit better. We have Nomar for one more year, and he could handle the defense at 2nd at least as well as Kent does. Then, use Abreu as a utility IF and 2nd is his in 09.
I wish that everyone in the game would just unanimously agree to not pitch to Bonds anymore. I think it is a travesty and a disgrace to baseball that he might hold the all time HR record. Even if it is just for a few years until A-Rod breaks through 800. Yes, he will hit at least 800 career HR.
SoSG Orel | 07-Jul-07 at 8:49 pm | Permalink
Wishful thinking indeed. Don’t see McCourt approving that kind of money.