Bonds doesn't want to bat 2nd. Why?

In our world, baseball is a team sport and the manager/coach makes the decisions; in Barry's world (and that of some other 'stars'), their preference holds weight.

Alou is doubtlessly thinking about the additional ABs after BB's season off, the IBBs that will mean men on base for the #3 & #4 guys, and the early leads from any hr's launched from that #2 spot.

Barry responded with the 'at this time in my career' line, which I believe means 'I've earned cleanup and nobody's taking it away from me'. He has a point, though that has nothing to do with team needs.

If he does, however, have a dicey knee, the IBBs with a maximum of one out could mean additional strain on said knee because he'll be running a lot --- perhaps into any number of DPs if it is a problem as well as some DL time as the season progresses. ST should tell a lot on that front.

His knee will be fine now that he's off the juice and lost all that weight.

Bonds should just walk away now, if he gets starts opening day, sit and watch the fed's come out with an subpeona.

Well, most of us here in Northern California will be glad to see him in the lineup on Opening Day, probably hitting in the #3 hole. 3rd is where he's been so often, and where he'll likely end up. He won't lose many AB's compared to 2nd, and he'll have more RBI opportunities, as well as hitting with men on base more often. Chances are pretty good that the three hitters following him will be Alou, Feliz and Durham.

Oh, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, Barry!

You said it, Orlando. MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEME!

RaspBARRIES to YOU, Barry!

Well, bonds strikes me as a fairly selfish player (I think that's the nicest thing I've ever posted here about him

the #2 batter needs to be an unselfish hitter, taking pitches to allow for a steal if the leadoff hitter got on or bunting to move 'em over (don't see barry doing either and in fairness to him, probably a waste of his talent).

#2 hitter also needs to hit & run/run & hit, again strategies that may not be the best use of his talents.

Also, not alot of rbi opportunities in the #2 slot typically.

bonds is a classic 3 or 4 hitter. Can't believe I'd agree about anything with him, but the 2 slot doesn't seem the place for him.

Announced he is not playing in World Baseball Classic to save wear & tear on his knee.
Can't blame him as he closes in on Ruth & Aaron and I also credit him for staying in NL. Would be easy for him to go AL & dh and go for 800.
Also, heard there will be olympic type drug testing at the games - not sure if that's true or not. Hmm?

06 and denis...I've been watching Bonds since his days at ASU.

I don't care what he was doing and when he was doing it.

For 4-6 years or more, he got 150-200 INTENTIONAL WALKS from MAJOR LEAGUE PITCHERS.

THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES PLUS ABOUT WHAT HE WAS ALL ABOUT.

They should look at those pitchers, those "sissies", instead of Barry with his bad knees now.

All things considered, the BEST HITTER of all time.

I've always felt like the 5 or 6 hole to be the best place for a power hitter. You would have more chances for coming up with runners on base throughout the rotation.

HeyBatter.....agree with your analysis....100%.

Bonds, "the best hitter of all time"? Grousing about Major League pitchers walking him 200 times a year? Puhleeze.

The Bonds that was once a 175 lb. stringbean was a very good player. Defense, arm, bat, speed...he had it. However, he didn't get intentionally walked 200 times a year back then.

Beenthere has griped for months about how he's watched Barry since he was at ASU, he doesn't care "what he was doing, and when he was doing it", blah blah blah.

The Barry from the idyllic ASU and Pittsburgh days then would literally get lost in the shadow of the 240 lb. Barry that now lumbers around San Francisco.

Yes, he has a very quick bat. Yes, he crowds the plate, wears more armor than some NFL linebackers, and doesn't worry about getting inside strikes called. He receives the "star allowance" on calls. You know the kind...Michael Jordan walked more in his career than most door to door salesman do in a lifetime, and it was never called. The Braves staff one year got more strike calls 3" off the plate than they did over the plate.

I liked Barry years ago, because I appreciated his natural talent. But over time, with the "clear", the "cream", the abnormal growth, the racist attitude....I could care less. Before the Barry "apologists" jump up and scream that he hasn't been proven to use anything illegal with the exception of his admittal of the clear and cream, that's true. But only because MLB's testing program is an absolute joke. Human growth hormone? They can't detect it. Designer steroids? Ditto.

When the World Tournament was coming to fruition, I predicted that Barry wouldn't play. Not because he wasn't healthy...but because he would have to submit to Olympic standard drug testing, which would find all of those things that MLB isn't permitted to look for.

Guess who backed out of playing in the World Tournament? You guessed it.

I've seen a lot of record breaking games. I watched Aaron break Ruth's record, saw Ripken's game streak, Rose's hit record, Henderson's stolen base record, some of Ryan's records...but when Bonds plods past Ruth and Aaron, I won't watch, and won't care...to me, Aaron is still the man.

The same goes for Barry...bat him 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 1st, 9th...I won't watch, and don't care. I'd rather go up to the field and watch a bunch of kids I don't know play rec ball.

All the likes dislikes aside as a baseball guy I do not see Bonds helping a team as a # 2 hitter--I agree that he is to be a #3 or 4 guy

2seamer,

I like your stance on Barry(Barely-Legal) Bonds! I am jumping on your bandwagon...

OPP

2s...

Can you please give me your thoughts on the "major league pitchers" who walked Barry intentionally at least 150-200 times each year for 6-7 years, please?

Many are/were Hall of Famers/potential Hall of Famers.

Interesting debate.

Wouldn't put that much power and week knees into 2 hole.

He's a four holer. Take the heat, hit it hard, and trot.

He may have to lay down a bunt or two in the #2 hole.

2seam....




Plus, I don't think the intentional walk decision comes from the pitcher....Usually the manager makes that decision.

As for the regular walks, you can make up any number of theories.

JMO

2 seamer is right on, Bonds is a steroid enhanced, growth hormoned freak.

2seamer---



You can have him...all 240+ fake pounds, bat, and ALL! He disgraces the game...can't stand him, and I don't really CARE about his bat speed.