Opposing Manager's Still Giving Bonds Too Much Respect

[oldmanTED]

Situation: Score tied 6-6 with the Giants up in the top of the 9th with 1 out. Alou on first and Finley on third. Bonds comes to the plate as a pinch hitter. Behind him is Durham who is 2 for 4 on the night, including a triple and 3 RBI's. Arizona manager intentional walks Bonds, moving Alou to second to face Durham, now with the bases loaded.

With Bonds at the plate a double play is a decent possibility because he can't run and neither can Alou. Now the pitcher is under pressure and facing a speedy Durham. Durham pops out to third. In comes Sweeney as a pinch hitter. One of the best of all time. Pitcher throws 3 straight balls, then a strike, then ball 4. 7-6 Giants. Feliz follows with a 2 out double. 9-6 Giants and a final of 9-7 as Worrell gives up his second HR of the night in the bottom of the 9th.

With Bonds unable to hit the outside part of the plate due to his bad knees, he still is already into double digits being intentionally walked. He is hitting just over .200, but his OB percentage is over .500.

I guess the scouting reports are either weak or the manager's just don't get it. As a Giants homer, I couldn't be happier as they sit in first place and start a series with the Rockies. But it just never ceases to amaze me the respect Bonds gets even when he can't move.

 

[CHOPTALK]

I think Barry will prove the scouts right very soon.

 

[5teamparlay]

Having on my Fantasy team is a dilema. The sits out 2 games, and prob a third on Sunday this week. But he is #4 in the NL in OBP what to do? My roster isn't unlimited.

 

[quantumleap]

I agree OMT. The managers have been walking this clown early in the season and I had to ask myself why.

 

[Doug]

Pitch to him, until he at least hits one good HR, unless you think he's easy meat for a double play ?

How's his fielding, any lapses ? I haven't seen him play yet, can't trust box scores, a hobbled Bonds not getting to a catchable ball doesn't show that.

 

[oldmanTED]

Pitch to him, until he at least hits one good HR, unless you think he's easy meat for a double play ?

How's his fielding, any lapses ? I haven't seen him play yet, can't trust box scores, a hobbled Bonds not getting to a catchable ball doesn't show that.

Bonds fielding is about what you would expect from a 41 year old with bad knees. He can still field the position but doesn't have the range or arm and can't run very well.

 

[HPark1]

Maybe the Diamondbacks were smart enough to realize 10-15 games worth of AB's don't mean much. I'd give it at least another 50 games and 200 more AB's before you can draw conclusions.

Didn't this guy tear it up in spring training?

 

[oldmanTED]

Maybe the Diamondbacks were smart enough to realize 10-15 games worth of AB's don't mean much. I'd give it at least another 50 games and 200 more AB's before you can draw conclusions.

Didn't this guy tear it up in spring training?

HP1:

I have seen every Giant game so far this year and Barry Bonds is a shadow of the player 2 years ago. He sat out all last year, but more importantly, the lower part of his body, particularly his knees which are bone on bone, don't allow him to turn on outside pitches. He can barely reach them at times. He can still clobber an inside pitch with power as he is able to still turn his hips quickly. His mind still allows him to read the pitches and he will hit mistakes that are either over the plate or inside, but outside pitches he can no longer drive to the off field with any power because his legs don't support him. He wears knee braces now which he has stated are uncomfortable for him. Even so, his presence in the line-up seems to have managers scrambling when he comes to the plate with runners in scoring position. Up next, an early battle with the Rockies starting tonight for the Division lead.

 

[HPark1]

you're probably right OMT. Was speaking in general terms, don't know the situation intimately as you do. Just heard Bonds has started season's slowly on several occasions and wasn't sure if talk of his demise is premature.

Do you think he'll finish the season? I think he'll try his hardest to break Ruth's number and then call it quits.

 

[oldmanTED]

you're probably right OMT. Was speaking in general terms, don't know the situation intimately as you do. Just heard Bonds has started season's slowly on several occasions and wasn't sure if talk of his demise is premature.

Do you think he'll finish the season? I think he'll try his hardest to break Ruth's number and then call it quits.

He is physically very fragile and I am convinced this will be his last year. Whether he finishes the season will depend on his body. He has spoken in terms of if his elbow, with the bone chips and which now is swollen twice it's normal size, requires any kind of surgery, he is finished. He and the Giants recognize any hopes they have, what little they may be, are to make the post season this year and hope for the best. I too believe he is resigned to the fact that only Ruth is in sight and as I view him, it is going to take awhile before he hits the 7 HR's needed to pass him. He still wants to win, so I don't expect him to quit the season unless he can't physically play any longer.