Poll---Bonds' Future

jtur88 · 11-01-2007, 08:55 PM

How would you feel if your favorite team signed Barry Bonds to an '08 contract? (Choose the answer that comes closest).

bedir than average · 11-01-2007, 09:25 PM

Can I vote that I don't want him on my team until he hits 10 HR by May 15th?

Nat · 11-01-2007, 09:51 PM

Despite the deep-seated hatred most A's fans carry for him, I'd still welcome Barry Bonds on my team in '08.

Grandstander · 11-02-2007, 10:50 AM

Whenever the Giants visited any park in the last two seasons, the local GM's got a big earful of how their fans felt about Bonds. Boo. Cheater. Steroids. Go to hell Barry Bonds.

Which of them will now turn around and say "Surprise everyone! The steroid cheater will be playing for us this season! He's promised to appear in as many games for as many innings as he feels like! And unlike other 43 year old players, he promises that he won't get injured! And he's only asking 13 million for part time play!"

Does anyone think that a lifetime of arrogance will suddenly be reversed and Bonds will be a positive clubhouse influence? That he will endear himself to his new community?

The game will be better off for his departure.

Zen653 · 11-02-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Does anyone think that a lifetime of arrogance will suddenly be reversed and Bonds will be a positive clubhouse influence? That he will endear himself to his new community?

I actually do think this would be possible but only because he'd have to behave himself for one year. What better way to give San Francisco the finger than to act like a model citizen on his next team? Leaving Boston revitalized Roger Clemens' career, and gave him greater motivation to prove his detractors wrong. I think the same holds true for Bonds, especially since he'll have to beg his way onto another team. There have been several athletes, particularly in basketball and football, who suddenly behave themselves when thrust into a new situation that demands it. Think of Corey Dillon and Randy Moss in New England, or Rasheed Wallace in Detroit.

I think the two best possible landing spots for Barry Bonds would be in Detroit, with his former manager Jim Leyland, or in Toronto where he gets to start fresh in a foreign country. If the Reds had money to spend, Cincinnati would be a decent choice because of the Dusty Baker connection. And I still don't rule out San Francisco which might sign him at a heavily reduced salary if he can't find gainful employment anywhere else.

Whoever signs Barry Bonds will get a tremendous hitter who will be motivated to rehabilitate his image and prove that he's not such a bad guy after all. Groveling to fans and GMs tends to engender humility. And that's exactly what Bonds will have to do if he wants to continue his career. If he's willing to take short money, he'll definitely be back somewhere. If he holds out for big bucks, it could be a very hard sell. I'd like to see him back in 2008, mainly because I enjoy watching top-tier players practice their craft. Frankly, I've heard enough BALCO talk to last a lifetime.

nanwynnfan · 11-02-2007, 12:36 PM

There are too many examples of guys getting a second chance and turning out to have become "better" people from the opportunity.

The most glaring example for me was Jeff Heath, who had gathered a surly reputation during his earlier playing days, the going to the N.L. with the Braves.

He became a bench, teammate and fan favorite, hustling like a rookie, The ghastly photo of his career-ending slide into 3B [total instep fracture where bone and sock were captured in photo], hustling AFTER the pennant had already been decided, captured the end of his career.

[His comeback the next season showed he could still hit; but he couldn't run the bases without debilitating pain].

Of course, he never apperared in his only shot at playing in a WS, in 1948 against his former CLE team.

I won't judge Bonds, merely admire the awesome talents and accomplishments. Absent a penalty over his head WHILE he was putting fans in the seats and eyes on the sets, he gets a morality pass from this poor sinner.

detroitfan · 11-02-2007, 09:44 PM

Just don't like Barry Bonds. He's a jerk and has tainted the game 4ever and has lied to everyone about it. Baseball doesn't need people like this in baseball anymore (CHEATERS).

11-01-2007, 08:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
jtur88 Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 7,854	Poll---Bonds' Future How would you feel if your favorite team signed Barry Bonds to an '08 contract? (Choose the answer that comes closest). Last edited by jtur88; 11-01-2007 at 08:57 PM.

11-01-2007, 09:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,256	Can I vote that I don't want him on my team until he hits 10 HR by May 15th? __________________ US Men's National Team World Cup Qualifying \| Democracy in Sports Meets My First Campaign "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

11-02-2007, 12:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
nanwynnfan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,579	There are too many examples of guys getting a second chance and turning out to have become "better" people from the opportunity. The most glaring example for me was Jeff Heath, who had gathered a surly reputation during his earlier playing days, the going to the N.L. with the Braves. He became a bench, teammate and fan favorite, hustling like a rookie, The ghastly photo of his career-ending slide into 3B [total instep fracture where bone and sock were captured in photo], hustling AFTER the pennant had already been decided, captured the end of his career. [His comeback the next season showed he could still hit; but he couldn't run the bases without debilitating pain]. Of course, he never apperared in his only shot at playing in a WS, in 1948 against his former CLE team. I won't judge Bonds, merely admire the awesome talents and accomplishments. Absent a penalty over his head WHILE he was putting fans in the seats and eyes on the sets, he gets a morality pass from this poor sinner. Last edited by nanwynnfan; 11-02-2007 at 12:42 PM.

11-02-2007, 09:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
detroitfan Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 129	Just don't like Barry Bonds. He's a jerk and has tainted the game 4ever and has lied to everyone about it. Baseball doesn't need people like this in baseball anymore (CHEATERS). __________________ Detroitfan

11-01-2007, 09:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,218	Despite the deep-seated hatred most A's fans carry for him, I'd still welcome Barry Bonds on my team in '08.

11-02-2007, 10:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Grandstander Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Northern California Posts: 6,373	Whenever the Giants visited any park in the last two seasons, the local GM's got a big earful of how their fans felt about Bonds. Boo. Cheater. Steroids. Go to hell Barry Bonds. Which of them will now turn around and say "Surprise everyone! The steroid cheater will be playing for us this season! He's promised to appear in as many games for as many innings as he feels like! And unlike other 43 year old players, he promises that he won't get injured! And he's only asking 13 million for part time play!" Does anyone think that a lifetime of arrogance will suddenly be reversed and Bonds will be a positive clubhouse influence? That he will endear himself to his new community? The game will be better off for his departure.