Royals Whitlock: Royals need to sign Bonds - Page 4

**DeezNutz** · 04-28-2009, 11:17 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...y/1168353.html

It’s time the Royals invested in Bonds

This column is in no way an attempt to divert attention away from Zack Greinke’s bid for history tonight at Kauffman Stadium. It’s a plea to get Greinke and the Royals some help.

Barry Bonds should be wearing a Royals uniform this season. The game’s greatest hitter has yet to retire or be convicted of a crime. He’s been railroaded by the commissioner, a publicity-seeking federal prosecutor and the hypocritically self-righteous segment of the baseball media.

While virtually every other steroid cheater continues to play the game without incident or much backlash, America’s home-run king is being treated like a heavyweight champion with the audacity to conscientiously object to the Vietnam War.

Barry is serving the second year of what his critics hope is a lifetime banishment from the game that milked his home-run power when it made good business sense and discarded him when it needed a poster child for steroid abuse.

I wish the Royals had the courage to reinstate Bonds. He could help their anemic offense and potentially lift the Royals into the playoffs. Tuesday afternoon I milled around the Royals clubhouse asking players what they thought of Bonds and whether they’d have a problem playing with the all-time great.

Surprisingly, I couldn’t find a Bonds critic inside the clubhouse.

“I’d feel honored to play with him,” Royals catcher John Buck said. “You can’t take away what he’s done in the game.”

Billy Butler added: “I wouldn’t have a problem at all. I’d work with him. If he’d help our team win, I think it would be good for our team. Whatever is good for Kansas City.”

“I have no problem playing with anybody,” said outfielder José Guillen, who was briefly in trouble for suspected steroid use. “What is the problem with playing with Barry Bonds?”

Great question.

“It’s unfortunate he’s not playing,” Mike Jacobs said. “You hope it’s not some sort of collusion (by the owners). He’s no different from the other guys who were suspected of taking whatever. Obviously there’s something fishy with him not playing.”

I suspect the Royals aren’t the only major leaguers who think it’s ridiculous Bonds has been blackballed from the game. Greinke, Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies and Mark Teahen all told me they wouldn’t have an issue playing alongside the man who has been portrayed by the media as the worst teammate in professional sports.

“I’ve never experienced anything with him,” said Greinke, who will attempt tonight to complete his sixth straight start without surrendering an earned run. “I don’t know what he’s like. But as long as he’s not disruptive to the team, I probably wouldn’t have a problem.”

“I admired the way (Bonds) played the game,” Bannister said.

In 2007, Barry played in 126 games for the San Francisco Giants. He swatted 28 home runs, hit .276, recorded a league-leading .480 on-base percentage and 132 walks. Bonds was barry, barry good for a 42-year-old left fielder. He’s 44 now and will be 45 in July. He’s still in marvelous condition. He should be playing baseball.

“I bet you this,” Guillen told me. “Barry puts on a uniform and gets in the batter’s box, he will still make the pitcher scared.”

Teahen said: “He’s the best hitter in the game. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he could take a year off and still hit.”

“Look at him,” Buck said. “He still looks like a beast. I’m sure he still has an at-bat or two in him.”

Bannister added: “He always had the hand-eye coordination. He still has it.”

Even Royals Hall of Famer Frank White thinks Barry could still be a difference-maker.

“He’s worth three victories,” White said. “He’d certainly give your lineup credibility.”

Early during Tuesday’s game I chatted with Royals general manager Dayton Moore about Bonds, KC’s players reaction to Bonds and whether the Royals would consider signing Bonds.

“Where we are and what we’re trying to accomplish with this team,” Moore said, “we’re comfortable with the makeup of our team.”

Jacobs and Butler DH and play first base for the Royals. They’re young and under contract. The Royals already have a defensive liability in their outfield, José Guillen. Working Bonds into the lineup would be difficult and maybe even a little painful.

It would be worth it. Greinke is bidding for a nice piece of history tonight and the new K will be half full. That would not be the case with Bonds in uniform.

I asked Moore if Bonds’ baggage would prevent the Royals from signing the slugger.

“No,” he said. “Not for me.”

Can Bonds still be a productive player?

“I don’t know,” Moore said. “I can’t answer that.”

Moore did add that utility infielder Julio Franco played until age 48.

I could only find one man adamantly against my plan to bring Bonds to Kansas City.

“I don’t think you can sit out that long and still play,” former Royal Brian McRae told me. “He’s 45. His body is worn. He’s had the hip and elbow injuries. He popped his quad and hasn’t been working out much. I just don’t think he can still be effective.

“The Royals need to be a playoff team with the players they have.”

McRae is wrong. The Royals need to make a playoff push by any means necessary. And Barry Bonds needs to fail at least once before I believe he can’t play any more.

KC_Connection · 04-29-2009, 02:11 AM

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...01.shtml?redir

His numbers seem more ridiculous every time I see them.

Hammock Parties · 04-29-2009, 02:33 AM

thats the dumbest thing i have ever heard... bonds is way too old now

KC_Connection · 04-29-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkerman2001

thats the dumbest thing i have ever heard... bonds is way too old now

Randy Johnson is older and he's still pitching.

Hammock Parties · 04-29-2009, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Randy Johnson is older and he's still pitching.

i kinda forgot about that. i was actually thinking to myself the other day, how the **** is johnson still ****ing pitching at his age? He even looks his age, like an old lifetime drink/smoker

KC_Connection · 04-29-2009, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkerman2001

i kinda forgot about that. i was actually thinking to myself the other day, how the **** is johnson still ****ing pitching at his age? He even looks his age, like an old lifetime drink/smoker

Yeah, it's pretty ****ed up actually. He's 45 and still striking out a batter an inning.

kstater · 04-29-2009, 03:59 AM

I can't believe that some fans of a team that barely manages to squeak out 2 runs per game don't thin Barry Bonds would be worth having on the roster. Of course Bonds would help this team. The top half of the rotation is very good(bad day to post this) and it's going to be pissed away due to lack of scoring.

Demonpenz · 04-29-2009, 06:45 AM

It would be nice for the K to be half full when it isn't firework friday, t shirt tuesday, masterbate saturday, cock up your ass sunday, or whatever, on a 70 degree night there should be more people at the ball park than yesterday, now the day before I understand, but they have 12 dollar tickets 7 dollar tickets for the dry duck.

**petegz28** · 04-29-2009, 06:54 AM

Whitlock needs to

when it comes to baseball and stick to Gates

shitgoose · 04-29-2009, 07:15 AM

He's the best value in baseball. Not only does he hit the ball but he packs the stadiums, jacks the TV ratings, and provides constant fodder in the baseball world. These are all things the Royals need if they want to compete with the bigger market teams.

CoMoChief · 04-29-2009, 08:01 AM

the Chiefs arent giving him anything to write about. I guess thats why hes coming up with this crap.

Sure-Oz · 04-29-2009, 08:02 AM

I wonder if there will ever be a Bonds life story movie, with Micheal Clark Duncan starring as Bonds in the prime years of the steroids era and dave chappelle as the early career bonds?

**DeezNutz** · 04-29-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstater

I can't believe that some fans of a team that barely manages to squeak out 2 runs per game don't thin Barry Bonds would be worth having on the roster. Of course Bonds would help this team. The top half of the rotation is very good(bad day to post this) and it's going to be pissed away due to lack of scoring.

A lot of KC fans loves them some nice guys.

They'd rather cheer for David Ihaveno****ingcluewhatI'mdoingonthebasesbutpleasedon'tcriticizemeorI'llgethiveswhich sucksbecauseI'mnothingbutanaverageMLplayer DeJesus.

Sure-Oz · 04-29-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

A lot of KC fans loves them some nice guys.

They'd rather cheer for David Ihaveno****ingcluewhatI'mdoingonthebasesbutpleasedon'tcriticizemeorI'llgethiveswhich sucksbecauseI'mnothingbutanaverageMLplayer DeJesus.

Should've traded him a long time ago when he had value. The dude is the wade boggs of the OF, not fast, can hit pretty good (even though boggs was a way better hitter) and no power. But he smiles alot!!!!!!!

**DeezNutz** · 04-29-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Should've traded him a long time ago when he had value. The dude is the wade boggs of the OF, not fast, can hit pretty good (even though boggs was a way better hitter) and no power. But he smiles alot!!!!!!!

And it's really neat how he can blow bubbles with his gum, bubbles!!!1!, while playing.

**** David DeJesus. Last night is a perfect example of why I can't stand the stupid ****.

Sure-Oz · 04-29-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

And it's really neat how he can blow bubbles with his gum, bubbles!!!1!, while playing.

**** David DeJesus. Last night is a perfect example of why I can't stand the stupid ****.

He just loves life, and you are a hater cause you don't....i'm sure he watches the brady bunch on the team bus.

04-28-2009, 11:17 PM
DeezNutz PermaBanned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Jouissance Casino cash: $10011570	Whitlock: Royals need to sign Bonds http://www.kansascity.com/sports/col...y/1168353.html It’s time the Royals invested in Bonds This column is in no way an attempt to divert attention away from Zack Greinke’s bid for history tonight at Kauffman Stadium. It’s a plea to get Greinke and the Royals some help. Barry Bonds should be wearing a Royals uniform this season. The game’s greatest hitter has yet to retire or be convicted of a crime. He’s been railroaded by the commissioner, a publicity-seeking federal prosecutor and the hypocritically self-righteous segment of the baseball media. While virtually every other steroid cheater continues to play the game without incident or much backlash, America’s home-run king is being treated like a heavyweight champion with the audacity to conscientiously object to the Vietnam War. Barry is serving the second year of what his critics hope is a lifetime banishment from the game that milked his home-run power when it made good business sense and discarded him when it needed a poster child for steroid abuse. I wish the Royals had the courage to reinstate Bonds. He could help their anemic offense and potentially lift the Royals into the playoffs. Tuesday afternoon I milled around the Royals clubhouse asking players what they thought of Bonds and whether they’d have a problem playing with the all-time great. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find a Bonds critic inside the clubhouse. “I’d feel honored to play with him,” Royals catcher John Buck said. “You can’t take away what he’s done in the game.” Billy Butler added: “I wouldn’t have a problem at all. I’d work with him. If he’d help our team win, I think it would be good for our team. Whatever is good for Kansas City.” “I have no problem playing with anybody,” said outfielder José Guillen, who was briefly in trouble for suspected steroid use. “What is the problem with playing with Barry Bonds?” Great question. “It’s unfortunate he’s not playing,” Mike Jacobs said. “You hope it’s not some sort of collusion (by the owners). He’s no different from the other guys who were suspected of taking whatever. Obviously there’s something fishy with him not playing.” I suspect the Royals aren’t the only major leaguers who think it’s ridiculous Bonds has been blackballed from the game. Greinke, Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies and Mark Teahen all told me they wouldn’t have an issue playing alongside the man who has been portrayed by the media as the worst teammate in professional sports. “I’ve never experienced anything with him,” said Greinke, who will attempt tonight to complete his sixth straight start without surrendering an earned run. “I don’t know what he’s like. But as long as he’s not disruptive to the team, I probably wouldn’t have a problem.” “I admired the way (Bonds) played the game,” Bannister said. In 2007, Barry played in 126 games for the San Francisco Giants. He swatted 28 home runs, hit .276, recorded a league-leading .480 on-base percentage and 132 walks. Bonds was barry, barry good for a 42-year-old left fielder. He’s 44 now and will be 45 in July. He’s still in marvelous condition. He should be playing baseball. “I bet you this,” Guillen told me. “Barry puts on a uniform and gets in the batter’s box, he will still make the pitcher scared.” Teahen said: “He’s the best hitter in the game. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he could take a year off and still hit.” “Look at him,” Buck said. “He still looks like a beast. I’m sure he still has an at-bat or two in him.” Bannister added: “He always had the hand-eye coordination. He still has it.” Even Royals Hall of Famer Frank White thinks Barry could still be a difference-maker. “He’s worth three victories,” White said. “He’d certainly give your lineup credibility.” Early during Tuesday’s game I chatted with Royals general manager Dayton Moore about Bonds, KC’s players reaction to Bonds and whether the Royals would consider signing Bonds. “Where we are and what we’re trying to accomplish with this team,” Moore said, “we’re comfortable with the makeup of our team.” Jacobs and Butler DH and play first base for the Royals. They’re young and under contract. The Royals already have a defensive liability in their outfield, José Guillen. Working Bonds into the lineup would be difficult and maybe even a little painful. It would be worth it. Greinke is bidding for a nice piece of history tonight and the new K will be half full. That would not be the case with Bonds in uniform. I asked Moore if Bonds’ baggage would prevent the Royals from signing the slugger. “No,” he said. “Not for me.” Can Bonds still be a productive player? “I don’t know,” Moore said. “I can’t answer that.” Moore did add that utility infielder Julio Franco played until age 48. I could only find one man adamantly against my plan to bring Bonds to Kansas City. “I don’t think you can sit out that long and still play,” former Royal Brian McRae told me. “He’s 45. His body is worn. He’s had the hip and elbow injuries. He popped his quad and hasn’t been working out much. I just don’t think he can still be effective. “The Royals need to be a playoff team with the players they have.” McRae is wrong. The Royals need to make a playoff push by any means necessary. And Barry Bonds needs to fail at least once before I believe he can’t play any more.
Posts: 47,521

04-29-2009, 02:11 AM	#46
KC_Connection Perpetual Mediocrity Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $5462783	http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...01.shtml?redir His numbers seem more ridiculous every time I see them.
Posts: 48,589

04-29-2009, 02:33 AM	#47
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4800478	thats the dumbest thing i have ever heard... bonds is way too old now __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,451

04-29-2009, 03:59 AM	#51
kstater Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2007 Casino cash: $1966563	I can't believe that some fans of a team that barely manages to squeak out 2 runs per game don't thin Barry Bonds would be worth having on the roster. Of course Bonds would help this team. The top half of the rotation is very good(bad day to post this) and it's going to be pissed away due to lack of scoring.
Posts: 39,156

04-29-2009, 06:45 AM	#52
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3202136	It would be nice for the K to be half full when it isn't firework friday, t shirt tuesday, masterbate saturday, cock up your ass sunday, or whatever, on a 70 degree night there should be more people at the ball park than yesterday, now the day before I understand, but they have 12 dollar tickets 7 dollar tickets for the dry duck. __________________
Posts: 54,238

04-29-2009, 06:54 AM	#53
petegz28 Supporter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olathe, Ks Casino cash: $2884127	Whitlock needs to when it comes to baseball and stick to Gates
Posts: 127,945

04-29-2009, 07:15 AM	#54
shitgoose Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $4302833	He's the best value in baseball. Not only does he hit the ball but he packs the stadiums, jacks the TV ratings, and provides constant fodder in the baseball world. These are all things the Royals need if they want to compete with the bigger market teams. __________________
Posts: 1,640

04-29-2009, 08:01 AM	#55
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	the Chiefs arent giving him anything to write about. I guess thats why hes coming up with this crap.
Posts: 39,155