Around Baseball 2015 Edition
- Thread starter NinersSBChamps
- Start date
I guess I would feel differently had Bonds been the only guy who cheated during that era. He was the best -- by leaps and bounds -- so I think he unfairly took the brunt of anti-steroid wrath.
As for the asshole part -- seems subjective. Bryce Harper is worse, IMO. I think Bonds was well-respected on the field, but just didn't play nice with the media so they ended up portraying him as this moody anti-hero.
Are you from the Bay Area? I read somewhere recently that he is beloved there (threw out the opening pitch during the playoffs last year) and still helps the Giants out during Spring Training.
Whatever the reasons were that Bonds wasn't signed after 08' you really can't dispute that a guy who had just jacked 28 home runs and lead the world in OBP didn't deserve another contract based on his skillset.
DirkPiggler
Well-known member
Not from the Bay Area, and wouldn't argue the point that Bonds' numbers were good enough to warrant a contract. I also wouldn't doubt that there was some collusion, but good luck proving it.
As an aside, if Bonds follows through with this suit, he might open himself up to discovery on some things he doesn't want out in the open. Which is why I don't see this going anywhere.
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
I agree with everything you're saying on Bonds.
The "asshole" part means nothing to me. Bonds really isn't that bad, especially when you compare to straight-up massive, condescending pricks like Michael Jordan (different sport obvs but point stands).
Bryce is a dick but he's also like college junior age so..
Numbers are starting to get closer now for May. But, thats what happens when you quote a foolish small sample.
pot. kettle. black?
Nick will likely end up in the high 90 WRC+ wise by seasons end unless he hits for more power. His BABIP will lower and likely his BB% as well. Heward will likely end up at 110 or higher.
My sample is clearly small as well. I'm not trying to make any conclusions based off my post other than BRule quoted a ridiculous small sample.
I also don't think its a sure thing that Heyward gets to that level. He has showed a regression of skills the last three years. He is still in his prime so he can bust through but something mechanically is off athat he must fix.
His power has regressed that's for sure. Everything else has stayed the same pretty much. Unless his power drops to Markakis levels then I susepct by the end of the year he will be where he was last year or better.
Well his walk rate is decreasing while pitches seen in the zone have decreased. That doesn't sound like a good mix to me.
But again, this is a premier athlete in his prime so at any point it could click and he could dominate. I still hope it happens for him and he makes a crapton of money.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
Its all part of the master plan. Step 1 Trade Kimbrel, Step 2 Kimbrel pitches very badly, Step 3 trade for Kimbrel when his value tanks, Step 4 Kimbrel returns to awesomeness.
Tapate50
Well-known member
I like it. Sabotage from the inside man... CK is in on it the whole time. Same with Heyward.
I hope Heyward is doing that!
His BB% is down this year comapred to the last few but it's been what 6 weeks? I'd wait before we call that a regression.
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but Jason has still been absolute shat.
cajunrevenge
Well-known member
Heywood hitting 8th and fanfare he has him at -0.1 on defense. Any bets on how long till Cards fans turn on him?
UNCBlue012
Well-known member
My friend (A Cards fan) texted me the day we made the trade furious, he told me that not only did we fleece theme, but that Heyward is overrated. He said that Shelby had the talent, mechanics and full makeup to be an Ace and he believed that his work ethic and addition of a new pitch would pull him over the top. Of course I was happy to hear, but I was not happy that we lost Heyward.
In the long run, who knows what will happen, but right now, it does look like we stole from them.
Anyways, he texted me last week and said "What did I tell you? It may be early, but he's looking pretty good isn't he?..." Nonetheless, he's still pissed and Shelby looks like a guy who COULD be an Ace. If not, I think we have a high-ceiling pitcher that will probably be at least a number 2.
Bonds was reportedly racist, was not a good teammate, and a widely known asshole the media. I'll put him up there with any of the top athlete assholes of all time.
Tapate50
Well-known member
I seem to remember that season that no one wanted any part of the circus of media and clubhouse baggage he brought. It would have been publicly shunned by fans to bring him on board I think.
I'd accept that train of logic if Bonds was a pariah on the level of Alex Rodriguez or Ryan Braun; loathed by fans AND clearly on the decline/injury prone. But the collusive aspect to all of this still lingers when you consider the fact that Bonds was one of the premiere offensive forces in the league and coming off a year of elite production that should have commanded a multi-year deal. And to not even get a minor league offer?
There are plenty of examples of teams turning the cheek on clubhouse cancers because of their talent. Elijah Dukes beat his wife, Milton Bradley was insane, Manny Ramirez kept cheating. That didn't stop clubs from throwing them rope.
It just seems Bonds was made an example out of, which might be fair in the realm of unwritten rules but it's not legally kosher.