Original Post
Heard a discussion on radio the other day that was of a similar nature regarding how many fans really do or don't like Bonds, how many do or don't want him breaking the record etc.
My personal opinion about all of this ... if Barry Bonds seemed like a nice individual, if he seemed like he appreciated the fans, if he was more gracious when dealing with the press (and I am talking several years ago, not just recently), and if he didn't wait at home plate, staring at the ball (with that smug look on his face) as it leaves the field and essentially disrespecting the pitcher(s) before he saunters around the bases ... maybe then people would be more appreciative of his achievements. I think Mark McGuire is a good example of that ... I am sure many of us believe he used performance enhancers of some sort but he was still a nice guy out there and so I think people don't hold it against him as much.
I am afraid, despite his talents, enhanced or otherwise, that Bonds has put himself in a position to be the recipient of all the disdain towards him that IS out there. But when a player sets himself apart from and above his own teammates by segregating himself in the clubhouse, when a player is nasty to TV and radio persons just doing their job (and I am not talking about those who may be asking provoking questions), and when a player appears as arrogant as Barry Bonds, then that player will hear and feel disdain from their game's fans.
I personally believe his performance has been enhanced but far beyond that, I think he is not a very nice man and that taints his accomplishments in my mind, much as the off screen behavior and attitudes of many celebrities taint my view of them.
Am sure for many, Bonds could best be described as the player many fans "love to hate" ...
PS Saw his interview at the All Star game and the gentle and caring way he helped his Godfather Willie Mays. In his interview, he waxed poetically about his friendship with A-Rod and how the baseball players are a fraternity etc (just as we are all baseball people who 'get it', Bonds essentially was expressing the same thoughts with regard to relationships with teammates and other players. I would hope that he was sincere in his spoken words. But he was wonderful to Mr Mays so that does say something good about him, I guess.
My personal opinion about all of this ... if Barry Bonds seemed like a nice individual, if he seemed like he appreciated the fans, if he was more gracious when dealing with the press (and I am talking several years ago, not just recently), and if he didn't wait at home plate, staring at the ball (with that smug look on his face) as it leaves the field and essentially disrespecting the pitcher(s) before he saunters around the bases ... maybe then people would be more appreciative of his achievements. I think Mark McGuire is a good example of that ... I am sure many of us believe he used performance enhancers of some sort but he was still a nice guy out there and so I think people don't hold it against him as much.
I am afraid, despite his talents, enhanced or otherwise, that Bonds has put himself in a position to be the recipient of all the disdain towards him that IS out there. But when a player sets himself apart from and above his own teammates by segregating himself in the clubhouse, when a player is nasty to TV and radio persons just doing their job (and I am not talking about those who may be asking provoking questions), and when a player appears as arrogant as Barry Bonds, then that player will hear and feel disdain from their game's fans.
I personally believe his performance has been enhanced but far beyond that, I think he is not a very nice man and that taints his accomplishments in my mind, much as the off screen behavior and attitudes of many celebrities taint my view of them.
Am sure for many, Bonds could best be described as the player many fans "love to hate" ...
PS Saw his interview at the All Star game and the gentle and caring way he helped his Godfather Willie Mays. In his interview, he waxed poetically about his friendship with A-Rod and how the baseball players are a fraternity etc (just as we are all baseball people who 'get it', Bonds essentially was expressing the same thoughts with regard to relationships with teammates and other players. I would hope that he was sincere in his spoken words. But he was wonderful to Mr Mays so that does say something good about him, I guess.