Roger Anderson, Sports Editor
The best way to describe him is by simply saying “the most-feared hitter of all time.”
Barry Bonds has never been a fan favorite in the world of athletics, but that hasn’t stopped the 11-time All-Star from doing things no one else ever has.
Born to a ballplayer father and the nephew of a legend, Barry Lamar Bonds came into this world to dominate the game of baseball. Bonds hit his 656th career home run earlier this week, moving him 99 away from Hammerin’ Hank Aaron’s all-time record. No pitcher will stop him from moving past Willie Mays for third place on the all-time list next week, and few measures can be taken to avoid watching Bonds set a bar that won’t be reached for a long, long while.
The shift, the walks, the brush-backs, Bonds takes them all in stride, for he’s the only man in history to have an advantage against opposing pitchers. His 2002 record on-base percentage of .582 proves just that. When Bonds strolls to the plate, people take notice. He’s got a draw that can’t be denied; yet, the respect just isn’t there.
He’s a stud, and everyone who plays the game acknowledges that. Now it’s time for the fans to stand up and give the man his props.
Opposing teams place three infielders on the right side of the infield to try to record more outs against Bonds, but for all he cares, they could put the entire team out there. The man hit 73 home runs in one season — what kind of infield re-arrangement can stop that? The only shift that may get more outs would be the “McCovey shift.” Give the catcher a paddle and a rowboat, send him to the Cove and, voila, the catcher greatly improves his chances of touching the baseball when Bonds is up to bat.
It’s not just walks, home runs and on-base percentages that set Bonds apart from the rest of the league. He’s a leader, leading by example. Anyone who wants to talk trash about the man can look at his stats, and if you can read you will be amazed.
He’s the fourth person in history to hit 600 homeruns, he’s won five MVP awards, he’s won eight gold gloves, he’s hit 73 home runs in a season and he did much of that without recognition as one of the game’s greatest offensive threats.
He’s become clutch to the core, hitting walk-off home runs and sending the Giants’ faithful into frenzies on a nightly basis.
You don’t need to read the stat line to understand why Barry Bonds will likely add another MVP trophy to his trophy case. If you’re a true baseball fan, just watch him play against your favorite team. Every time he comes to the plate, you will feel the fear that every major league pitcher has. He’s going to break your heart, end your hopes and trot around the bases as you curse him in vain.
Bonds burst into the national spotlight as a bad-ass playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was he and Bobby Bonilla who could have been considered the killer B’s. He came out of college a slender punk with a dangling crucifix in his ear and an attitude that he hadn’t yet earned.
It’s this idea that many people still have of Barry Bonds; it’s this idea that has stigmatized his public persona. But, honestly, how could Bonds care? He goes to work each day and does his job. He hits ninth-inning home runs, because he doesn’t get paid overtime. He may be cocky. But when you’re that good, you’re allowed to be.
For the past 11 seasons, he’s hit 30 or more home runs (a NL record) and was named the Sporting News 90s player of the decade.
Last weekend, Bonds did something I had never seen before. He entered a game on his day off and drew a walk to lead off the inning. That wasn’t what surprised me. Upon being lifted for a pinch runner, Bonds returned to his perch overlooking the field until one of his Giants was called out on a questionable strike. Bonds, yelling from the dugout, was ejected from the game, and once more his persona grew larger. Entering the playing field once more, he stepped over the railing with the presence of Andre the Giant entering the ring in a main event.
All eyes were on the slugger, as he looked like a manager out to fight for his teammate. In essence, he was arguing for his team and arguing for himself.
Bonds doesn’t respect injustice on the playing field. If someone needs to be hit by a pitch, then he’ll be out there throwing punches with the rest of his team.
The San Francisco Giant is running the show out west and commanding the attention of the baseball world. No matter how much it will hurt, Bonds will break Aaron’s home run record. When it happens, I suspect Aaron to admirably acknowledge Bonds’ ability, and I expect fans to finally respect the man and his skills.