Barry Bonds is easy to hate. There have been stories about how the legendary San Francisco Giants left fielder won't sign autographs. On the rare times that he does, you have to fork over money to a man making $15 million a year. Many believe he's a showoff, some people think he's on steroids and some think he's just a mean person.
And on top of all that, non-Giants fans probably can't bear the guy since there is a good chance that at least one of his 652 all-time home runs has beaten every team in the National League.
I'm a Los Angeles Dodgers fan and I promise you I hate Bonds more than anyone. I've seen him hit his 500th home run and steal his 500th base against my Boys in Blue, and both landmarks eventually led to San Francisco wins. Dodgers fans may be laid-back, but if there is one thing they can say in unison, it's "BARRY SUCKS."
But for one game and just one game, Barry Bonds won't suck.
Bobby Bonds, the father of Barry, died this past weekend after a long battle with lung cancer and a brain tumor. Barry has been placed on the bereavement list, meaning he can be absent for up to seven days, although the Giants would probably be willing to give him more time.
If Bonds is back after seven days, his first game will be against the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark on Sunday. The series has huge playoff implications, especially for the D-Backs. I've never been to a game between the two teams, but I'll wager that the affection Arizona fans have for Bonds isn't rated G.
But for that game, none of those negative feelings should matter. When and if Bonds makes his return, he'll be in the starting lineup, he'll play left field, he'll bat either third or fourth and, most importantly, he'll deserve our ovation.
Why one game? Bonds has been booed all of his life, even in his Pittsburgh days. If for just nine innings of standing guard in left field he doesn't hear any boos or have a beer cup lobbed at him, and if for just a couple of at bats opposing fans decide to cheer Bonds instead of bathing him in insults, he'll get the message.
Baseball fans appreciate everything he has given to the game, from 73 home runs in 2001 to Gold-Glove quality play in the outfield. So for one game, even the biggest Bonds antagonists should show that their thoughts are with a man who just lost his father - a father who, more than anyone, can be thanked for developing the best baseball player of our time.
But when that one game is over, Barry Bonds will once again suck.
Reach the reporter at andrew.bernick@asu.edu.
