As if he needed to provide people any more reasons to despise his existence, or give himself more media attention, Barry Bonds said earlier this week that he would not donate any part of his collection of historic souvenirs that he’s collected over the years to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“I’m not worried about the Hall,” Bonds said to reporters this week. “I take care of me.”
Fans will not be able to glance at his record-breaking home run balls, the stolen base that put him into the one-man 500-500 club, or a single bat he used in his run through the records (the last thing Bonds donated was a batting practice bat from the 2002 World Series). Instead, all of those items will likely be collecting dust in one of his dozen or so garages. That, or they’ll be sold to the highest bidder because, apparently, Bonds believes he needs the extra cash.
While some fans may not care about waxing nostalgic over a few bats and balls, there are a few legendary items I’d want to make available for public display in Cooperstown.
– Bonds’ rookie cap and the hat he wore in 2001 during his 73 home run barrage season. One would think there would be a noticeable size difference between the two because anyone who’s taken a look at photos of Bonds when he was in his 20s compared to the behemoth he is now, well, we know his head didn’t become bigger because his brain expanded. Just how many hat sizes did that cranium grow anyhow?
– The infamous clubhouse recliner. Although teammate Barry Zito said Bonds got rid of his gargantuan chair this season, Bonds must still have it stored somewhere. The thing was such a big deal that it tended to receive more press than many of the other Giants players. If anyone desired an anecdote that reflected Bonds’ selfish, diva attitude, all they had to do was point to the leather recliner perched in front of his personal TV, and the three locker spaces he occupied. Too bad Cooperstown probably wouldn’t let anybody sit in it, anyway. Still, it would be interesting to see the impression Bonds likely left in his black throne.
– The “cream” and the “clear.” While testifying for allegedly taking steroids, Bonds said that his trainer Greg Anderson gave him rubbing balm and a liquid substance. Anderson called it arthritis cream and flaxseed oil. Prosecutors called it the cream and the clear. Both are known as forms of anabolic steroids that are absorbed through the skin. Bonds maintains he didn’t know either were steroids. If they were on display in Cooperstown, I imagine we’d find out pretty quickly what exactly what he was taking.
– The silver cross earring. Bonds may believe in God, but he doesn’t reflect the Christian spirit. The earring was more of Bonds’ way of saying “I’m better than you.” Oh, and his way of trying to look hip while waving his bat in the batter’s box.
– The legal document where Anderson effectively surrendered his soul to Bonds. Oh, I bet it exists. Anderson’s loyalty to Bonds is highly unusual because the trainer would rather face jail time than testify in front of a federal grand jury against his buddy. After serving his first sentence, Anderson was subpoenaed again and is currently serving a second sentence. Why would a man be willing to sacrifice himself, make himself to be a stooge that is withholding the information everybody needs to hear? Everybody is already satisfied with wealth of leaked information to condemn Bonds; what exactly is Anderson trying to hide? Bonds’ willingness to let his friend rot in jail speaks volumes about how much he treasures his friendship with Anderson. Bonds is more concerned with his own public image – that’s as decrepit as it can get right now – to rescue Anderson from prison. Either Anderson pledged himself completely to Bonds, or, more likely, received a tremendous paycheck for his tight lip.
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