FanNation

And It's a Shame

By John Paciorek

If either Tampa Bay, Minnesota or Detroit gets aggressive and purchases the services of the greatest hitter in baseball history, a flurry of revolutionary events will be triggered. Not only would the team acquiring him bolster its lineup and create instant fear in the minds of its opponents, but the baseball life of Barry Bonds would be rejuvenated and reinvented. And, personally, I would have something special to look forward to for the rest of the season.

Here’s how those teams could look with Bonds in the line-up:

If his agent, Scott Boras, would step aside and let him sign with one of those three teams for the remainder of the season, for a paltry $1M or even less, Bonds could prove that he is more than an over-the-hill celebrity. By the end of October he would command both respect from his former colleagues and a king’s ransom for the 2009 season – if he’s not occupied by court proceedings.

With all the disdain that writers and others have expressed for what may be construed as cheating, the way for Bonds to rehabilitate his image is to go out and do what everyone thinks is impossible in this day and age – bat .400. Or win a World Series.

When John Smoltz (2002 NL playoffs) saw that Bonds could turn on a 99 mph fastball, he astutely decided to conspicuously walk him on the next pitch (nowhere near the plate). Then Smoltz proceeded to do what he was accustomed to doing before and after Bonds: strike out the remaining hitters. I wonder what Troy Percival might think if he ever had to face Bonds again? And what did Eric Gagne (in his great Dodger days) think about Bonds turning on his 100 mph fastball?

As good as today’s elite players (Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Chase Utley, etc.) may be, their approaches at the plate do create some limitations. Although Ted Williams was nearly perfect in his understanding and application of the principles of hitting, he too was not entirely unflawed. Barry Bonds has the perfect batting technique, beyond that even of Williams.

It’s a shame that the game’s greatest hitter is still standing on the sidelines, especially when he can still play at the highest level, and when there are teams that would greatly benefit from his production. And it would be a shame if we connoisseurs of the science of hitting didn’t get to see the master teach class again.

John Paciorek played one game for the Houston Colt 45’s in 1963 as an 18-year-old outfielder. He went three for three, with two walks, four runs and three RBIs. And then back injuries hit. He never played in the majors again and ended his professional career at age 24. He has been a teacher for the past 33 years and, fortunately for us, has a passion for writing about baseball. His column appears here every Tuesday.