Joe Buck: Barry leaves a bad taste

[-Slap-]

A little Barry bashing from Jack Buck's kid. Kind of tame, but I like it because it gives me another opportunity to post these before and after BALCO pictures of Barry, complete with grotesquely bulging forehead and cheekbones.


Barry B*onds in September of 1999.


Barry B*onds in April of 2000.

The guy went from Jeff Garcia to Julian Peterson in just seven months!

Barry leaves a bad taste.

Here's my favorite part from Buck's article:

The second reason is the public's skepticism regarding Bonds' possible use of performance-enhancing drugs. That accusation is unfortunate but understandable. It is hard to ignore the transformation his body has undergone over the past 10 years.

Having a new hat size the same as Mr. Met's can lead to questions. His body keeps getting bigger, and age does not appear to be a factor as his bat seems to get quicker every year. It is totally wrong to say that he is guilty of anything before the final chapter is written, but there is no doubt that his association with BALCO has damaged his reputation forever.

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I like any article that blasts Barry, it'll be a sad day once HR #756 comes off his bat.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by DenFan38

I like any article that blasts Barry, it'll be a sad day once HR #756 comes off his bat.

I'm still holding out hope for a career ending injury before the fraud taints the number 714 with his BALCO bull****.

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I wouldnt mind seeing that one bit, it's either that or we gotta wait another 15 years to see if Pujols can break it, I'd rather take the quick fix.

[Breck Bronc]

These threads were a lot more fun when Smelvin was around to bring the pro-Bonds side of things.

Arod, Albert Pujols or Miguel Cabrera might help bring some legitimacy back into the home run leaderboard down the road.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Breck Bronc

These threads were a lot more fun when Smelvin was around to bring the pro-Bonds side of things.

Arod, Albert Pujols or Miguel Cabrera might help bring some legitimacy back into the home run leaderboard down the road.

Now, I believe A-Rod is the best player in baseball, but I had to laugh when I heard the new nickname that's making the rounds about him lately.

Seems a few of his old teammates are privately calling him The Cooler. Its a reference to the way teams Alex has left, like Seattle and Texas, have immediately played better baseball without him. I truly believe both situations were coincidental, but its still a funny handle.

[Breck Bronc]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Now, I believe A-Rod is the best player in baseball, but I had to laugh when I heard the new nickname that's making the rounds about him lately.

Seems a few of his old teammates are privately calling him The Cooler. Its a reference to the way teams Alex has left, like Seattle and Texas, have immediately played better baseball without him. I truly believe both situations were coincidental, but its still a funny handle.

He can put that to bed by having a monster postseason and leading the Yanks to their 472nd World Series title.

I agree, the 2001 Mariners and 2004 Rangers got better by coincidence, not because Arod left. The Rangers would still have an awesome infield with Teixeira at first, Young at second, Arod at short, and Blalock at third. Soriano and his .320 on base percentage is overrated. Rodriguez had no effect on the bullpen improving so much.

[FADERPROOF]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Now, I believe A-Rod is the best player in baseball, but I had to laugh when I heard the new nickname that's making the rounds about him lately.

Seems a few of his old teammates are privately calling him The Cooler. Its a reference to the way teams Alex has left, like Seattle and Texas, have immediately played better baseball without him. I truly believe both situations were coincidental, but its still a funny handle.

I don't want to turen this Barry hating thread into a who's the best player today argument(trust me, as a Dodger and baseball fan, I love Barry hating threads here), but I gotta go with Vlad as the best player.

As far as former A-rod teams, Seattle was already a good team, it be like STL losing Edmonds or Pujols, they'd still be a damn good team without one of them.

And Texas, they're bullpen and SP finally decided to come around, A-Rod couldnt help that his .320 BA with 50 HR's and 130 RBI's would produce 11-9 losses game in and game out last year.

[FADERPROOF]

Originally Posted by Breck Bronc

These threads were a lot more fun when Smelvin was around to bring the pro-Bonds side of things.

Arod, Albert Pujols or Miguel Cabrera might help bring some legitimacy back into the home run leaderboard down the road.

ahh smelvin, me and him had some fun arguments, just too bad he won't be around for me to raise that 2004 NL West division champs banner over his head.

He told me I was crazy for thinking that the Dodgers would win the west this year, and a 3 game lead with 4 games left, signs seem to be pointing my direction.

[Clockwork Orange]

Nice to see someone in the national media have the balls to step up and say something that isn't glowing about Bonds. Naturally it had to be someone who isn't affiliated with ESPN, they're driving the hype machine that would have everyone believe that Bonds is really just a misunderstood saint who's never treated teammates and fans like garbage. Heaven forbid any of them could possibly advance the steroid issue, it might upset Barry and their access to him might get cut off.

While they're launching new networks, ESPN might as well go ahead and start ESBONDS. A 24 hour network for sucking up to Barry. At least then the flagship station might be watchable again. Maybe then I could watch a ballgame without having it interrupted while they cut away to show me this juiced up prick taking another shot at records he doesn't deserve to approach.

You wanna know how bad it's become? A few weeks ago Bonds threw out a runner at home plate trying to score from 2nd on a single to left. Nothing spectacular, a pretty routine play that happens hundreds of times. But because it was Bonds who did it, it was a Web Gem on Baseball Tonight and a Top Play on Sportscenter. Give me a damn break.

But then again, I forgot, it's all the media's fault that Barry has a bad image......or was it racist America's fault? I can never remember which bull**** Bonds is spinning from week to week.

The only way I see him getting injured is if he wrenches his back swinging at a pitch, it's the only thing he really puts any effort towards anymore. You definitely won't see him pull a hamstring or sprain an ankle legging out a grounder, or injure a rib or shoulder diving to make a catch. People can slobber over his home runs and walks and whatever, but I refuse to give anything resembling respect to a guy who dogs it in every other facet of the game. Oh yeah, then consider that the same guy is also using illegal performance enhancing drugs on top of it.

Greatest player ever my ass.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

Nice to see someone in the national media have the balls to step up and say something that isn't glowing about Bonds. Naturally it had to be someone who isn't affiliated with ESPN, they're driving the hype machine that would have everyone believe that Bonds is really just a misunderstood saint who's never treated teammates and fans like garbage. Heaven forbid any of them could possibly advance the steroid issue, it might upset Barry and their access to him might get cut off.

While they're launching new networks, ESPN might as well go ahead and start ESBONDS. A 24 hour network for sucking up to Barry. At least then the flagship station might be watchable again. Maybe then I could watch a ballgame without having it interrupted while they cut away to show me this juiced up prick taking another shot at records he doesn't deserve to approach.

You wanna know how bad it's become? A few weeks ago Bonds threw out a runner at home plate trying to score from 2nd on a single to left. Nothing spectacular, a pretty routine play that happens hundreds of times. But because it was Bonds who did it, it was a Web Gem on Baseball Tonight and a Top Play on Sportscenter. Give me a damn break.

But then again, I forgot, it's all the media's fault that Barry has a bad image......or was it racist America's fault? I can never remember which bull**** Bonds is spinning from week to week.

The only way I see him getting injured is if he wrenches his back swinging at a pitch, it's the only thing he really puts any effort towards anymore. You definitely won't see him pull a hamstring or sprain an ankle legging out a grounder, or injure a rib or shoulder diving to make a catch. People can slobber over his home runs and walks and whatever, but I refuse to give anything resembling respect to a guy who dogs it in every other facet of the game. Oh yeah, then consider that the same guy is also using illegal performance enhancing drugs on top of it.

Greatest player ever my ass.

Barry has something like three or four singles off the wall this season. That happens when you stand at home plate showing up the pitcher rather than running down the baseline. ESPN simply buries the footage every time.

The most pathetic thing ever was the slobber piece from Dan Le Betard in ESPN the Magazine. I've never seen any other writer so shamelessly make a career out of pandering to a-hole athletes. Le Betard always sucks up to these jerks - and its well known - so he gets access to hard-to-interview athletes that objective non-whore journalists would never enjoy. He made Bonds out to be the greatest American since George Washington.

[Clockwork Orange]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

The most pathetic thing ever was the slobber piece from Dan Le Betard in ESPN the Magazine. I've never seen any other writer so shamelessly make a career out of pandering to a-hole athletes. Le Betard always sucks up to these jerks - and its well known - so he gets access to hard-to-interview athletes that objective non-whore journalists would never enjoy. He made Bonds out to be the greatest American since George Washington.

Not surprising. Barry is known for wanting the media to laud praise on him when he succeeds while either handling him with kid gloves or flat out leaving him alone when he fails (look back on his days in the postseason with Pittsburgh). I still remember hearing him tell a reporter, "You go negative on me, I'm walking out of here." ESPN and their employees just pucker up and try to show him in the most positive light imaginable. Wouldn't want Barry blowing them off for the Sunday Conversation when he hits number 756*.

There's competition for the ass kissing title though. Jim Gray has become the official Kobe brown nose to the point of blaming Phil Jackson for the departures of himself and Shaq from the Lakers this offseason.

And of course, it would be just wrong when speaking of media suck ups to omit the name Ahmad "(insert name here) is my main man" Rashad. He swung off of Jordan's sack until the day that ESPN took the NBA contract from NBC.

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Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

Not surprising. Barry is known for wanting the media to laud praise on him when he succeeds while either handling him with kid gloves or flat out leaving him alone when he fails (look back on his days in the postseason with Pittsburgh). I still remember hearing him tell a reporter, "You go negative on me, I'm walking out of here." ESPN and their employees just pucker up and try to show him in the most positive light imaginable. Wouldn't want Barry blowing them off for the Sunday Conversation when he hits number 756*.

There's competition for the ass kissing title though. Jim Gray has become the official Kobe brown nose to the point of blaming Phil Jackson for the departures of himself and Shaq from the Lakers this offseason.

And of course, it would be just wrong when speaking of media suck ups to omit the name Ahmad "(insert name here) is my main man" Rashad. He swung off of Jordan's sack until the day that ESPN took the NBA contract from NBC.

Ahman Rashad might be the only man who still won't admit that Jordan pushed off of Bryan Russell to sink the game winner in the NBA finals against Utah. Even Jordan himself says he had his arm on Russell before he pulled up folr the shot.

ESPN in general is a laugh when blowing sports figures, it seems like the bigger a-hole you are or the greater felonies you commit, the more attention ESPN will give you.

Before the NFL season started, ESPN did a top 10 of Players that mean most to their team, and by damn, Ray Lewis was #1 on that list. There's only 8 other pro Bowl calibur players on that D, but if Ray goes down, it would be more than players like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Randy Moss, Priest Holmes etc. if they all went down.

[Breck Bronc]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

The most pathetic thing ever was the slobber piece from Dan Le Betard in ESPN the Magazine. I've never seen any other writer so shamelessly make a career out of pandering to a-hole athletes. Le Betard always sucks up to these jerks - and its well known - so he gets access to hard-to-interview athletes that objective non-whore journalists would never enjoy. He made Bonds out to be the greatest American since George Washington.

Funny you should mention Le Betard, Slap. He has a new, local drivetime talk radio show in Miami and he has had a staggering list of A-list guests on his show that would put Jim Rome's athlete interview list to shame. Kissing ass, particularly Ricky Williams', has helped that dude advance his career so much it's sickening.

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Originally Posted by Breck Bronc

Funny you should mention Le Betard, Slap. He has a new, local drivetime talk radio show in Miami and he has had a staggering list of A-list guests on his show that would put Jim Rome's athlete interview list to shame. Kissing ass, particularly Ricky Williams', has helped that dude advance his career so much it's sickening.

I specifically remember him on PTI the week that Ricky retired, Wilbon and Kornheiser were both gone and LeBetard and Steven Smith were running the show.

LeBetard would not say ONE bad thing about Ricky Williams retiring, he wouldn't throw one hurtful term towards Ricky for completely screwing the team Dan covers season all up. It got so bad, Steven Smith even called him out by saying "You can't mean these things, you're saying this so Ricky will still talk to you and give you info."

I reall couldn't believe that LeBetard could sit there on national TV and pander about how it's not Ricky's fault.

[Clockwork Orange]

And the beat goes on.

ESPN's Outside The Lines currently has Jason Whitlock & Alan Schwarz on telling us that Bonds attitude and "alleged" steroid use shouldn't be held against him, that what he does on the field is all that matters. They also sat there and not only defended, but agreed with Bonds' ignorant comments about Babe Ruth that he made back at the 2002 All-Star Game.

F'n sickening.

[-Slap-]

If Babe Ruth was playing today, ESPN would have to launch another network to cover him.

Ruthian Feats.

[FADERPROOF]

Originally Posted by Clockwork Orange

And the beat goes on.

ESPN's Outside The Lines currently has Jason Whitlock & Alan Schwarz on telling us that Bonds attitude and "alleged" steroid use shouldn't be held against him, that what he does on the field is all that matters. They also sat there and not only defended, but agreed with Bonds' ignorant comments about Babe Ruth that he made back at the 2002 All-Star Game.

F'n sickening.

I didn't get to see this show, but I'm sure Whitlock played the race card abourt why Barry is so hated and why he is alleged to have steroid use.

[Smelvin]

3 game lead, 3 to go. Only the Dodgers can blow something like that.

Barry haters are hilarious. I can't decide if if you guys exert more energy hating on him or if he exerts more energy hating on the world. Hey, whatever works for you. Obviously being an a-hole works for him ;-)

In any event - he's the best player of our lifetime, with the only possible exception being his godfather, another Giant.

Steroids, no steroids...ahhh, old tired argument. I think it's safe to assume he's clean right now, and last time I checked his numbers were basically on par (when factering in walks) as they've been the prior years......Ruthian.

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Smelvin

3 game lead, 3 to go. Only the Dodgers can blow something like that.

Barry haters are hilarious. I can't decide if if you guys exert more energy hating on him or if he exerts more energy hating on the world. Hey, whatever works for you. Obviously being an a-hole works for him ;-)

In any event - he's the best player of our lifetime, with the only possible exception being his godfather, another Giant.

Steroids, no steroids...ahhh, old tired argument. I think it's safe to assume he's clean right now, and last time I checked his numbers were basically on par (when factering in walks) as they've been the prior years......Ruthian.

I think it's safe to assume he's clean right now

I think its safe to assume you're a gullible apologist.

and last time I checked his numbers were basically on par (when factering in walks) as they've been the prior years......Ruthian.

Check B*nds' pre-BALCO numbers and he's not in the same zip code as Ruth. The Babe had a lifetime slugging percentage of .690, a number pre-BALCO Barry never achieved in any single season.

[Smelvin]

I think this article on Barry is right on.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...bayless/041001

[Clockwork Orange]

Enjoy your fraudulent idol and his tainted pursuit of records achieved by players much greater than he could ever dream to be without illegal chemical assistance. Yeah, old argument to apologists like yourself who have no real defense for it other than your blind hero worship of that prick.

I disliked that a-hole since back when he was in Pittsburgh, long before he decided to juice up and dedicate his career to tarnishing once respected records.

One thing that brings me a smile in all of this is knowing that he'll retire without a World Series ring. I'm just glad he got close enough to smell it once before it was snatched away in Bostonian fashion.