Posted on 07/29/2007 2:29:48 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
The Natural -- Michael Jordan -- should know better than to give Barry Bonds a video salute after slugger's 754th homer
SAN FRANCISCO -- He was real. He was natural. His muscular definition, by all accounts, was developed in weight rooms and not in some science lab. His only competitive sin on the court was trying to destroy one's dignity, and when you ponder it all, Michael Jordan's magnificent legacy only should be enhanced by the sleaze surrounding Barry Bonds. So why, after Bonds ripped his 754th home run at AT&T Park, would a tribute from Jordan suddenly appear on the video board in center field? Why associate himself in any way with this dirtball circus? When Joe Montana delivered a video salute to Bonds recently, it was somewhat understandable as a Bay Area icon praising another. But Jordan? And then Wayne Gretzky on Saturday night, in a pregame salute? What do they have in common with Bonds other than prolific numbers -- theirs accrued without the slightest hint of suspicion?
''Hey Barry, it's Michael Jordan,'' he said, flanked by the logo of the Charlotte Bobcats, the NBA franchise he runs these days. ''I just want to congratulate you on your historic event. I'm very happy for you. Ever since the first day I saw you in the batting cage, you've been working toward this for a long period of time. So I want to wish you and Elizabeth and that beautiful girl of yours congratulations. I'm very happy for you.''
Bonds was visibly moved. Coming off a tortured week when his credibility was singed by everyone from Bob Costas to Curt Schilling to the BALCO-affiliated chemist who developed the ''clear'' that creamed his career, the Human Mood Swing finally found someone who, gee, really likes him. Who knew it would be The King? Shouldn't Jordan have given deeper thought to the ramifications of supporting Bonds as he passes the record of the regal Henry Aaron?
''It feels great having Michael Jordan say what he said,'' Bonds gushed. ''He's just phenomenal.''
Which prompts a question: Who should appear on the video board after No. 756, a milestone finally upon us after a wait that has anesthetized the national psyche? Tim Donaghy? Michael Vick? Greg Anderson, his personal trainer, on a satellite beam from jail as federal inmate No. 93389-011?
In that vein, I might suggest Victor Conte, the BALCO founder and unofficial godfather of the steroids era, who claims that half the players in the baseball All-Star Game have used illegal performance-enhancing drugs since the end of last season. Wasn't Bonds an All-Star, by the way? And if you doubt the credibility of Conte, never discount a man immersed in the steroids culture. Why not put him on that board? Hell, knowing the way Bonds' hometown salivates over him as he nears Aaron's record, I wouldn't be surprised by anything at this stage.
Frisco love fest It takes a lot to shake a building in this city, post-1989-earthquake construction being what it is. But Bonds' latest shot came close. Ever wonder what happened to all the hippies and flower children of the '60s? Seems they grew up and became Barryphiles, flashing bulbs and standing in a delirious daze every time he came to bat these last two nights. No. 754 came off Florida rookie Rick Vanden Hurk, which is Dutch for batting-practice pitcher. The Marlins proceeded to walk him the next four times Friday, drawing loud boos, but give credit to Saturday's starter, Bay Area native Dontrelle Willis, for challenging his friend and boyhood hero with his high kick and dangling legs. After retiring Bonds on a pop-up in the third inning, he smiled and jawed at Bonds, who returned the verbal volley. He would go 0-for-3 with a walk and remain one behind Aaron. If you're searching for co-conspirators who have aided and abetted Bonds through the years, look no further than Giants ownership and the fans who pack this acid trip of a ballpark. The fans will remain loyal until their dying day, which can't be said of managing general partner Peter Magowan. The gem by the bay was privately financed when it opened in 2000, meaning Magowan had to focus more than most owners on filling the seats. He used Bonds -- suspicions and all -- to turn the park into a cash cow. The town's unconditional love for its slugger, despite a steroids cloud that hangs like the fog, forced Magowan to buy into history even as the Giants were soiling their proud tradition. But now, in what smacks of hypocrisy, Magowan openly admits the Bonds Watch is getting old and all but confirms this will be Barry's final season as a Giant. Even some of the players, including respected veteran Omar Vizquel, have complained the media are completely ignoring them.
Git-r-done ''The sooner it's over with, the better,'' Magowan said of the chase. Yep, an owner who ignored innuendo to feed his coffers suddenly can't wait to run off Bonds once the record is broken. Magowan says the Bonds-first emphasis, the franchise's modus operandi for years, no longer works as a win-loss paradigm. ''Is the strategy that we've been on still the right strategy for us moving forward? I think you could make a pretty good argument it isn't, that it no longer works. And, therefore, needs to be changed,'' Magowan said.
Guess who wasn't pleased to hear that? ''This is not going to be my last season, as a Giant or in baseball,'' Bonds said defiantly.
Every so often, he comes off like a beaten man, another byproduct of a record few want him to have. The other day, about 20 years too late, he sounded like a human being suddenly pleading for the understanding of others. His knows the chase has been dragging on like snail mail, and with uncommon self-analysis, he asked us to sympathize with his Inner Barry. ''I've got to take a step back a little bit. It's hard to explain what's going on inside right now,'' he said. ''If you don't have any inner feelings about it, you're not human.''
It's hard to feel sorry for him. I don't recall Aaron complaining about pressure and mental complications, though he had sufficient reason, as racism and death threats clouded his every step in 1974.
The solution is simple: Just hit the two home runs, already, so we can move on to baseball as we once knew it and put the steroids era in a past tense. If ever it was in the best interests of a sport, a city and a nation to end a bad movie, this is the time. Too bad Michael Jordan, of all people, played a cameo role.
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Well, he did take full advantage of the Dr. J Rule: If it looks spectacular, it isn't traveling.
Yeah, I never quite understood how so many of the NBA moves are illegal in college ball.
OJ?
OJ - good call. He finished his career in San Fran.
Much of what is done in the NBA is illegal there too. It’s just not called that’s one of many reasons I stopped watching.
You almost have to go with Pete Rose, MLB Hits Leader/Bookie.
I thought he finished his career on Nicole’s porch.
Right.
McGuire, Sosa, half the Yankees, and probably half the rest of baseball too indulged and now were angry about it? Most fans aren't cheering because Barry Bonds has been a mean old SOB most of his career. He is mean to the fans, mean to the reporters, and is just down right nasty to his own team. Heck, there were lots of nasty players back in the day. Ty Cobb comes to mind. Who cares about this record? Barry Bonds will NEVER be "The Babe". Babe Ruth single handedly took this country and put it on his shoulders during some of our toughest years. Barry Bonds is a midget, standing on the shoulders of The Babe, going for a short ride.
Maybe some of the Tour de France guys.
The league needs to be bulldozed and started again. Naismith is spinning in his grave.
LOL! OJ should do just fine.
Did I get the rule wrong? I though the traveling rule was one step allowed per $10 million of salary. :=)
Whose opinion of Bonds deserves to be given more weight - fellow superstar athlete Michael Jordan's or some third-rate hack's?
I’d say have Floyd Landis do the promo for 755 and Ben Johnson for 756.
That was the last time I really followed the NBA.. I now just follow the NFL....
It does raise on question. How many years after Jordan retired did this referee begin to work games in the NBA. That’s about the only question it raises.
Geez, I bet you saw the smoking gun from the grassy knoll.
Not at all; but if you were following the thread here, you’d see the NBA being fishy for quite some time, long before the current mess.
LOL
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