There is an old saying that no man is an island. That was obviously uttered before the emergence of Barry Bonds, who has not only an island but almost a small country.
Actually, a more accurate assessment would be to compare Bonds to a city-state such as Vatican City — which is more appropriate in more ways than one. The Pope is considered God's ambassador on earth and Bonds is considered by some as a baseball god.
Anyway, if Bonds is Vatican City, the San Francisco Giants organization can be considered Italy — the country that envelops Vatican City. The two are virtually autonomous but still affect each other.
Has there ever been a more scrutinized athlete than Bonds? Reporters waited for an hour-and-a-half outside the Giants clubhouse Monday for Bonds to emerge.
"What's Barry going to say today?"
How many athletes hold "state-of-themselves" addresses? State of the Union speeches are usually reserved for heads of state but the Lounge is guessing Bonds' first comments of the spring were dissected and analyzed more than President Bush's speech.
The way the media carried on Tuesday, you would have thought Bonds had died. All the talk on KNBR, the Giants' flagship radio station, was all about Bonds. Cable sports channel ESPN devoted an "Outside the Lines" segment to Bonds' "I'm tired" speech, complete with analysis of the Barry Sanders jersey Bonds' son was wearing. Was it a sign? Sanders retired from the NFL at the height of his game. Was Bonds planning a similar ploy?
The 10 o'clock news on channel 2 spent the first 20 minutes on Bonds — first the story on his comments, then the financial impact his missing the season or retiring would have on not only the Giants but on the San Francisco economy.
The Lounge wonders what Bonds' gross national product and biggest exports are.
No wonder the man's tired. To have every single scandal and problem facing him would make any person tired.
But the saying is right. No man is an island. An island remains, even if no one lives on it. Bonds can walk away from the game and suddenly the glare isn't as bright. Oh sure, the legal problems won't go away, but Bonds could go into hiding and not be constantly hounded by the media.
Bonds says he may miss half the season. Or the entire year. Would that be such a bad thing? At 40 years old — almost 41 — everyone has to realize his run is coming to an end. Giants fans have wondered what awaits the Giants A.B. (after Bonds)? What better time than now to find out.
The future is now.
Everyone says that Pedro Feliz is ready to breakout if just given the chance. Well, looks like we'll find out now. Feliz is all but penned in — not penciled in — as the starting leftfielder.
Bonds' injury also forces the Giants administration to seriously consider what they have to do when Bonds does retire.
Bonds may not be an island, but he has enough money to buy one and retire on it and become the president of Barryland.
Happy trails and good luck with whatever you decide.
And for what it's worth Barry, the Lounge is sorry for making your life hell.
Nathan Mollat can be reached by e-mail: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.
Sports Editor
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CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
Disadvantaged = uneducated third world foreigners whose living habits are not aligned with the USA.
CA Is Burning said:
LITTLE - I think the time is here, have you considered MAID?
Thomas Morgan said:
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