Barry "Holy Blazing Bat" Bonds
Or how to hit home runs in a contract year.
Barry Bonds, the 36-year old Giants left fielder is lighting it up with his hot bat. He is on a home run hitting tear, and has 39 home runs at the all-star break. He is clearly " the man."
But, Barry Lamar Bonds is also described in varying degrees of rancor by the media and the fans. The Barry Bonds bandwagon is eerily empty. Where are all the endorsements? Why aren't the ad people knocking down the doors? Where are the adoring fans? Got Milk?
Who is Barry Bonds?
Is he another brilliant athlete disguised in mediocre players' garb? Is Barry actually a good guy that's been the victim of bad press, is he misunderstood? (Barry has been quoted as saying that the press prints lies and they dress like slobs) Both are pretty good observations.
Barry Bonds has created a "hands off" aura around him. He has a $3,000 black leather Sharper Image massage recliner in the "Barry Section" of the Giants clubhouse. The Barry Section has four lockers, a VCR, and TV. This is Barry's airspace, no outsiders (or insiders) allowed.
Fans perceive Barry as aloof and arrogant. Most fans believe Barry isn't chasing history but dead presidents.
What does the public know about Barry Bonds? Not much. We know that Barry is a private person, and we know that he adores whales, Muhammad Ali and Batman movies. But many people (media, fans and teammates) consider him the king of a--holes.
Holy Batman, Barry!
Baseball fans will admit they admire his talent, but they're not in love with Barry. Mark McGwire became a national hero and media darling in 1998 in his bid to make history. McGwire's easy grin, bulging biceps and the guy next-door attitude made him easy to love. Barry doesn't come close to having McGwire's charisma. But, then who could?
Even Giants fans have trouble liking him. Of course now that he's on fire those fans that wanted Barry's head on a silver platter after last year's playoff loss to the Mets are screaming about signing Barry again. How ironic.
Barry tends to make things hard on himself, he craves fame yet rejects the fan's adoration. He especially disdains unappreciative and fickle fans, of which there are many in SF.
Is Barry simply misunderstood?
Barry has three kids, and although Barry has a reputation for ignoring young fans seeking his autograph, he has been praised for his work with underprivileged children. Eric McDonald, senior vice president of the United Way of the Bay Area says "I have often heard about the side of Barry portrayed by the media, but we have never seen it here. All we have seen is the side of him that absolutely loves kids and will devote time and money to help them."
Bonds told Baseball Weekly in 1998, "The pain is so great sometimes." "This hasn't been fun at all. The media--particularly the white media--has ruined everything. They've called me names. They've thrown stones. They've tried to portray me as some horrible person, a monster, like I'm an animal....The Bible says you don't have to be nice, or not nice. Just speak the truth. Jesus spoke the truth all the time, but not everybody liked him either."
Is Bonds a bonafide Superstar?
On 8/12/98 Arizona Diamondbacks intentionally walked Bonds with the bases loaded and the D-backs leading 8-6. Power hitters may get the occasional free pass but allowing a run to score for the opposing team speaks volumes for Barry's hitting power.
Barry has won the MVP award 3 times.
He is the only player to hit more than 400 home runs (484) and steal more than 400 bases (469), and he has made eight All-Star Game appearances. He has earned eight Gold Gloves, the award given to the league's best defensive player at each position.
39 and Counting.
It's a shame that sports fans deny themselves the fun of watching a history-making, athletic feat because they're so busy judging the athlete. Let's stop looking under Barry's hood to check the engine, and enjoy his playing ability.
Charlie Hayes a current Brewer and a friend of Barry's told SF Weekly "You know, sometimes I think we analyze Barry too much. Sometimes I think we should just sit back and admire what Barry does on the field. That's the interesting Barry."
Exactly Batman!
Ivette Ricco is a writer here at e-Sports as well as the President and founder of Femmefan.com. For more information visit us at: femmefan.com
But, Barry Lamar Bonds is also described in varying degrees of rancor by the media and the fans. The Barry Bonds bandwagon is eerily empty. Where are all the endorsements? Why aren't the ad people knocking down the doors? Where are the adoring fans? Got Milk?
Who is Barry Bonds?
Is he another brilliant athlete disguised in mediocre players' garb? Is Barry actually a good guy that's been the victim of bad press, is he misunderstood? (Barry has been quoted as saying that the press prints lies and they dress like slobs) Both are pretty good observations.
Barry Bonds has created a "hands off" aura around him. He has a $3,000 black leather Sharper Image massage recliner in the "Barry Section" of the Giants clubhouse. The Barry Section has four lockers, a VCR, and TV. This is Barry's airspace, no outsiders (or insiders) allowed.
Fans perceive Barry as aloof and arrogant. Most fans believe Barry isn't chasing history but dead presidents.
What does the public know about Barry Bonds? Not much. We know that Barry is a private person, and we know that he adores whales, Muhammad Ali and Batman movies. But many people (media, fans and teammates) consider him the king of a--holes.
Holy Batman, Barry!
Baseball fans will admit they admire his talent, but they're not in love with Barry. Mark McGwire became a national hero and media darling in 1998 in his bid to make history. McGwire's easy grin, bulging biceps and the guy next-door attitude made him easy to love. Barry doesn't come close to having McGwire's charisma. But, then who could?
Even Giants fans have trouble liking him. Of course now that he's on fire those fans that wanted Barry's head on a silver platter after last year's playoff loss to the Mets are screaming about signing Barry again. How ironic.
Barry tends to make things hard on himself, he craves fame yet rejects the fan's adoration. He especially disdains unappreciative and fickle fans, of which there are many in SF.
Is Barry simply misunderstood?
Barry has three kids, and although Barry has a reputation for ignoring young fans seeking his autograph, he has been praised for his work with underprivileged children. Eric McDonald, senior vice president of the United Way of the Bay Area says "I have often heard about the side of Barry portrayed by the media, but we have never seen it here. All we have seen is the side of him that absolutely loves kids and will devote time and money to help them."
Bonds told Baseball Weekly in 1998, "The pain is so great sometimes." "This hasn't been fun at all. The media--particularly the white media--has ruined everything. They've called me names. They've thrown stones. They've tried to portray me as some horrible person, a monster, like I'm an animal....The Bible says you don't have to be nice, or not nice. Just speak the truth. Jesus spoke the truth all the time, but not everybody liked him either."
Is Bonds a bonafide Superstar?
On 8/12/98 Arizona Diamondbacks intentionally walked Bonds with the bases loaded and the D-backs leading 8-6. Power hitters may get the occasional free pass but allowing a run to score for the opposing team speaks volumes for Barry's hitting power.
Barry has won the MVP award 3 times.
He is the only player to hit more than 400 home runs (484) and steal more than 400 bases (469), and he has made eight All-Star Game appearances. He has earned eight Gold Gloves, the award given to the league's best defensive player at each position.
39 and Counting.
It's a shame that sports fans deny themselves the fun of watching a history-making, athletic feat because they're so busy judging the athlete. Let's stop looking under Barry's hood to check the engine, and enjoy his playing ability.
Charlie Hayes a current Brewer and a friend of Barry's told SF Weekly "You know, sometimes I think we analyze Barry too much. Sometimes I think we should just sit back and admire what Barry does on the field. That's the interesting Barry."
Exactly Batman!
Ivette Ricco is a writer here at e-Sports as well as the President and founder of Femmefan.com. For more information visit us at: femmefan.com
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Bonds, and His Legacy, On Trial
- Reporters Ordered to Testify In Bonds’ Leak Case
- Barry Bonds’ Personal Trainer Won’t Testify, Attorney Claims
- Bonds’ Attorney Upset Over Evidence Leak
- Barry Bonds’ Lawyer: My Client More Innocent Than a Ham Sandwich
- A moment of greatness
- Why stats can't measure Bonds' true worth
- Fantasy Sports: NL week in review
- The Greatest?
- The price of being the best -- The Barry Bonds story
- Why Barry Bonds will never be the greatest of all-time
- Leave Barry alone
- General: Sterno's Talkin' Smack -- Episode #20
- Where the game went wrong
- Dear Journalists, Enough with the stupid questions!
- Bonds -- Still the best
- 599 and counting...
- Bonds joins the pantheon
- Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent -- Can't we all just get along?
- Say it Ain’t So: Baseball Star Bonds Indicted in Steroid Scandal