It appears that between Barry Bonds’ knees and elbow, Will Leitch’s assessment is spot on. Is Barry so far gone he can’t hit 8 HR’s between now and the All-Star break? He just hit a line drive off the wall at Chase Field..and would’ve been thrown out at first had Shawn Green fielded the ball cleanly. While all of the commentary about Bonds needing his legs for power seems reasonable enough, there are at bats where his timing seems to be as big a question mark as anything else.
Bonds is still drawing his share of walks — he was walked intentionally once tonight already —and you have to assume that won’t continue if he struggles when challenged. Likewise, how long before Felipe Alou drops the Sultan much further down in the batting order, say, hitting after the pitcher?
The only person in San Francisco who might be happy about Bonds’ rough start is Ray Durham. It takes a lot of attention away from the Giants’ biggest liability.
Speaking of liabilities, the Brewers ran into the wrecking ball known as the New York Mets last Friday and they’ve yet to recover. Milwaukee’s bullpen collapsed in tonight’s 8-7 loss in Houston, and it seems just a matter of time before Ned Yost looks for another leadoff option besides Brady Clark (.298 OBP).
Stop me if you’ve heard this one (a hundred times) before : The Reds have placed OF Ken Griffey Jr. on the 15 day disabled list. So there’s no reason to question manager Jerry Narron’s credibility the next time he insists his brittle franchise player is “day-to-day”.
After watching Florida’s Brian Moehler get roughed up by the Reds earlier tonight, the Marlins’ supposed frugality is hard to fathom. $1.5 million for a 34 year old with a career ERA of 4.63. Unless they’re paying for experience.
Not that Bonds doesn’t deserve all the heat he’s getting — but let’s not be so hasty in praising Will Leitch. I have to believe facing a federal prosecutor over perjury charges on top of everything else that fans and George Mitchell are throwing at him has to play some part in his shaky at-bats so far this season. If Bonds does pass Hank Aaron this year, it’ll be a major achievement with needle or without.
Ben
There’s this small part of me (my left nostril) that hopes Bonds approaches Ruth’s record because, Lordy, how much are we gonna hafta hear from Bonds supporters that somehow he DIDN’T break the mark because de white debils don’ wan ‘im to?!? That argument is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard in a long time. Yep, blame whitey, Barry.
What would GG Allin do. I ask?
Don
Egg,
Think of it this way: The Sultan breaking the record with only inspire growth in that racist part of your life. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?