Knuckle Curve » barry bonds

Barry Bonds Still Wants to Play

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:53:38 +0000

Barry Bonds hasn’t played professional baseball since 2007. He’s facing a federal charges. He’s closer to 50 than 40. Despite all of that, Barry Bonds still wants to play.

Jeff Borris, Bond’s agent, even pointed out the San Francisco Giants as a possible destination for Bonds.

Said Borris to the San Francisco Chronicle: “I know the Giants are dying for power, and they’re in it. They wouldn’t have to look beyond their backyard.”

The chances of the Giants signing Bonds is about the same as the chances that David Eckstein finishes the season with 74 home runs.

Even Bonds’ agent agrees that Bonds signing with the Giants — or anyone else — is unlikely.

“I talk to teams all the time,” said Borris, “but nobody has brought up his name.”

Eventually, Bonds will get too old to even claim he wants to return to baseball. But for the next few years, at least, expect Bonds to openly claim to want to return to the game.

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Alex Rodriguez Tested Positive for Steroids

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 01:09:50 +0000

Suddenly, the Alex Rodriguez and Madonna sex tape isn’t the biggest controversy facing the New York Yankees slugger. According to multiple media reports, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 while he was a member of the Texas Rangers.

This is a huge blow to Rodriguez’s reputation, which prior to this had been relatively clean. Now, following this news, will Rodriguez’s name be linked to others from the steroid era such as Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa?

In 2003, when Rodriguez tested positive, he was completing his third consecutive great season with the Rangers. In those three years, he never hit 156 homers while batting in nearly 400 runs.

The biggest stain to Rodriguez’s reputation will likely be felt as he chases the All-Time home run record that Barry Bonds currently holds. With 553 homers at the moment, the 33-year-old Rodriguez has a chance to shatter all the marks.

Despite the reported positive test, Rodriguez isn’t expected to face any penalty from Major League Baseball.

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Tim Lincecum Wins 2008 NL Cy Young Award

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:55:52 +0000

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants was named the winner of the 2008 National League Cy Young Award. The 24-year-old right-hander proved during the 2008 campaign why he’s regarded as one of the best young pitchers in Major League Baseball.

On the season, Lincecum went 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA. He also struck out 265 batters in 227 innings pitched. Throw in a WHIP of 1.17 and it’s no wonder how Lincecum was able to win the NL Cy Young Award.

Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks finished second and Johan Santana of the New York Mets finished third, while Brad Lidge, CC Sabathia and Ryan Dempster round out the top six. Lincecum received 23 first place votes — far and away the most.

The generously listed 5-foot-11 Giants pitcher is the unquestioned ace of San Francisco’s pitching rotation and has replaced Barry Bonds as the face of the franchise.

Photo credit: Newscom

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Fred Lewis Video – Giants Inspirational Story

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:46:24 +0000

Fred Lewis of the San Francisco Giants is a budding star playing the position that Barry Bonds vacated. However, the road to his current place on the Giants has been far from easy. Seven years ago, Lewis was driving when he lost control of his car and the result was an unspeakably horrific accident.

On the season, the 27-year-old Lewis is hitting .283 with eight home runs and 69 runs scored. The second year player also has 33 RBI and 20 steals.

Here is the Fred Lewis video where he explains the car accident in detail:

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What the Future Once Held for Bonds

Geoff Young — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 07:07:31 +0000

My latest article over at Hardball Times re-examines career projections for Barry Bonds from before the 1997 season. Hint: He hit a few more home runs than predicted.

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