Well, you know I have not been very pleased about the whole Barry Bonds home run record situation. And now, perhaps as a parting shot for a player that has brought them both fame and infamy, the San Francisco Giants have given Barry Bonds his pink slip.
Yes, Bonds, the all time home run king, has been told by his team of 15 years that they will not bring him back next season. And they didn’t even try to sugar coat it…much. Giant’s owner Peter Magowan said, “It’s always difficult to say goodbye. It’s an emotional time for me. We’ve been through a lot together these 15 years. A lot of good things have happened. Unfortunately a lot of bad things have happened. But there comes a time when you have to go in a different direction.”
Many have speculated that Bonds was really more of a hindrance to the team than anything else, but the Giants kept him on for the home run race. But Bonds, at age 43, says he isn’t done playing baseball. He said on his web site “There is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career. My quest for a World Series ring continues.”
Bonds re-signed with the Giants this past season as a free agent for $19.3 million – a one-year contract. Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said that Bonds was still “one of the biggest threats of any No. 4 hitter in the National League.” But will Bonds try to stay in the National League, or move to the American League, which allows pitch hitters? That is a position many great hitters have taken on their way to retirement. And will any team want to pay Bonds big salary or will he be willing to take a cut to get that World Series ring? And will the fans come out to see him? Those are a lot of questions that will need to be worked out, both by Bonds and any team – National League or American League – that is interested in him.
Other blogs about Barry Bonds:
Sports This Week: Two Baseball Deaths, Bonds Closes in on a Record