Yep, he’s reviled. Yep, he admits that, according to him, he unknowingly cheated.
Yep, he’s caustic, childish, rude and/or impudent at every chance that seems possible.
But baseball needs Barry Bonds.
Yep, stadiums are packed to capacity most nights in many cities.
Yep, baseball has somehow managed to sidestep the steroid controversy, Rafael Palmeiro’s personal shame and the quick reduction on home run output.
But baseball needs Barry Bonds.
Baseball needs Barry for that moment he came to the plate in San Francisco on Monday night at SBC Park.
With one swing of the bat, the sold-out park and anyone watching the game on television was mesmerized by a ball in flight headed toward the left-field wall.
Nearly a home run, the ball would be ruled a double because an excited fan reached over and touched Bonds’ drive in flight.
With Bond standing on second, wearing a rare smile, an umpire walked by and also grinned.
That’s why baseball needs Barry Bonds.
He brings blood pressure to heart attack proportion to many baseball fans, but when he’s at bat you watch. You also wonder.
“Is he going to hit a home run?”
“Is he going to really pass Babe Ruth’s 714?”
“Is he going after Hank Aaron’s record?”
These are the questions that make children lifelong baseball fans. These are the kinds of questions that make all baseball fans appreciate the grand game of baseball.
Baseball needs Barry Bonds.
No one should doubt that.