Re-Sign or Release: Mike Brown
July 3, 2008Wes Hodges: Possible Olympian
July 3, 2008
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Just over two months ago, there was an overwhelming argument against bringing Barry Bonds to Cleveland. I did my best to lay out both sides of the story, but many of you screamed “We don’t want that A-hole!”
Since the time of the post, the Indians have gone 26-35 and proudly sit at the bottom of the AL Central. Until (when?) Travis Hafner returns, we’ll continue to trot David Dellucci and the occasional ghost of Jhonny Peralta’s bat as our designated hitter. Is that enough to sway your feelings regarding Bonds?
Let’s hear it.
14 Comments
Ive been for this since the beginning of the season. What you need a power hitting outfielder you say? Well, Bonds is available. What I really dont get is why hes hated so much. Im not exactly his biggest fan, however I dont see him throwing down team managers to the ground because hes not getting 16 tickets to a SOLD OUT game last minute. I still cant understand how Bonds is a prick, and hes hated, Manny is an even bigger prick and oh, its just ‘Manny being Manny.’ For the record though, its too late in the season and we’re virtually out of it right now, this season has been lost, all it would do would just waste money at this point. Earlier in the season, yes, now why bother?
No. Period. Thats how fiercely I oppose people who get themselves so caught up in cheating that they in the public limelight for it. I parse my words because, as we know from the Mitchell Report, there are quite a few people we could point fingers at for performance enhancing drugs. But Bonds is unique because it has taken a multitude-and I am being modest here-of stupid mistakes and missteps. I’ll phrase it differently: I would rather my beloved Indians, who I will root for my entire life, be in the cellar than sign someone as toxic as Barry Bonds. No thank you. There are farm-team players dying for the chance. I don’t care if they are sub-par compared to Bonds…give ’em a chance.
I’ll put it another way….it would be like signing Jack Parkman in Major League II.
Yeah, why not? Bring the freak on! It might be fun and honestly, what’s the worst that could happen?
The argument at the beginning of the season was that the presence of Bonds would ruin the ever so fragile “clubhouse chemistry.” Well, this wonderful Shapiro chemical potion has put us in last place in July. Besides, I really can’t imagine the likes of Grady Sizemore approaching Eric Wedge and saying, “Sir, I can’t play today. That Barry is just too mean to me and the other guys and has ruined this team’s vibe. Just today he called me a nerd and said my pants were ugly. I need the day off.”
Barry Bonds was too unfairly maligned. I didn’t see people jump onto Roger Clemens case as hard as they did Bonds’.
Whether he did ‘roids or not, Barry Bonds had the best eye in baseball. You don’t get walks by being strong. You do it by being a disciplined hitter. Bonds is that and has always been that. If my dad and godfather were among the best in a given profession, it wouldn’t be surprising if I were as well. It’s the same for Barry Bonds (remember his dad — Bobby Bonds — and his godfather — Willie Mays — were HOF-level players).
The Indians have had a-holes before. Why do you think Jeff Kent can’t stay with one team? Barry has been around and I think that he could help the Indians get some heart.
Oh, and the Parkman comparison is erroneous. Parkman craved attention. Bonds just wants to be left alone.
Hell yeah! I’ve thought so for the last month. Who cares what kind of jerk he is. Remember, we loved Albert.
whats that point of doing that now?
What part of this wouldn’t just be either throwing away money and the chance for helping to develop a younger player, or a publicity stunt to drum up ticket sales?
wendigo/eli: Then think of it as a “knowing what you know now,” would you have done it two months ago?
no freaking chance now…way too late, huge waste of money.
knowing what i know now, i still wouldn’t do it 2 months ago. w/ victor and halfner in complete shambles, there’s no protection in the lineup for bonds, from a baseball perspective. and i would have had less than no interest in enduring the circus that comes with bonds…any success would have felt like ill-gotten gains, even though he hasn’t officially tested positive for anything.
derek…bonds unfairly maligned? people weren’t on clemens’ case?? that’s sarcasm right? it has to be, b/c that would be the only explanation for such a ridiculous comment.
The Indians already have a power hitter. A guy who leads the league in home runs. What the heck is Grady Sizemore doing still batting leadoff? His BA, OBP and strikeouts no longer justify him being there.
Bat him third, behind Carroll and Francisco. Carroll’s numbers aren’t that great but he at least makes a pitcher work.
Is there any point to doing this now? This season is lost, why pay a giant dick $16 mil when they could save the money?
I wouldn’t do this now anymore, but I said it at the beginning of the season, and I still feel this way, that the Indians were stupid for not at least calling Barry and finding out how much money it would take for him to play for us for one season.
The myth of Barry Bonds’ attitude is a giant urban legend. People say he’s the most selfish player ever, which is maybe the dumbest thing ever. In baseball, you can’t hog the ball. You can’t steal at bats from other players. So how, exactly, is any perceived “selfishness” on Bonds’ part hurting anything. Sure, he’s uncomfortable in the locker room, but in my opinion, that’s a fair price to pay for winning. I would MUCH rather win with “selfish” players like Bonds than lose with “selfless” players like Casey Blake.
Unless Barry Bonds has become a lights out bullpen guy in his collusion enforced retirement, he won’t help us enough to get back in the race this year.