No Bonds in WBC

[ReignInBlood]

From the barrybonds.com website

"When my name was first announced for the WBC, my gut reaction was that I wanted to play. After much thought and discussion with my family I have decided to remove myself from the upcoming World Baseball Classic roster. After the announcement I received a lot of criticism as well as concern from fans and my family and friends. The obvious objections were about my health and whether or not I would beready to play. In the end, I decided that I can't take any chances that might jeopardize my season. I don't want to give the impression that the WBC is not important. I know this means a lot to showcasing our sport worldwide, and the patriotism of playing for Team USA would have been a great honor. I feel what is best for me, my family, the Giants, and our fans is that I sit the WBC out.

As it is every season, my main goal and main focus is for our team to win a championship. I need to be in the best physical shape for the 2006 season -- in what could possibly be my last season. I owe it to the Giants organization, my teammates, and most of all to the fans of San Francisco to give 100 percent this season. I assure you, my decision was not an easy one, but based on my circumstances, I had to put my health and my team first. I wish Team USA the best of luck and even though I won't be in the dugout with them, I'll be definitely be cheering them on to bring our country a WBC title.

Later,
Barry Bonds"

No Bonds means WBC has no purpose at all.

[yankees-chick]

"Later"

He's a class act, my friends.

[Mattingly]

Here's the link: http://barrybonds.mlb.com/players/bo...al/latest.html

[Evangelion]

Should we even care about this guy any longer?

[DodgerBlue8188]

I dont really blame some major league players from not playing in the WBC. They really are taking a big risk in getting injured. I'm surprised some teams are allowing there players to play.

[Brannu]

I think it is a very humble statement that points to his dedication to his team and not himself. I liked what was written. Even, "Later." Naturally, he really wants to win a championship. The only way his team will accomplish that is if he is completely healthy. It is a very understandable decision.

Championship would be nice for him, Alou and Vizquel. Three of my favorites.

[mojorisin71]

I dont really blame some major league players from not playing in the WBC. They really are taking a big risk in getting injured. I'm surprised some teams are allowing there players to play.

The risk exists in every game. Who's to say Bonds won't blow out his knee on Opening Day? I understand his commitment to the organization that signs his paychecks, though.

[sickle]

I must begin this post by saying that Barry Bonds is my favorite player in the game today; he's in my top five of all time. However, I must say that I hate the fact that he won't play in the WBC. He wants to win a championship and all, which is great for us Bay Area fans, but in all honesty, what are the Giants chances? They are at best a wild card team, and they don't have the pitching to make a run at a ring.

I personally feel that this will be Bonds' only shot at a championship, and he's giving it away. Personally, as a fan of history, I hope he does well this season, but not well enough to pass Aaron; I hope he retires in second place all time in HRs. That would be a great honor for him personally.


If anything, this only puts a red flag on him for steroids because the players will be under rigorous monitoring and testing.


Final thoughts: Barry, you are a great player, the best of our generation (us in the 20-something bracket -- maybe even 30-something). Give us one last chance to cheer you on to a championship (although not a sure thing, better off without Cuba), and clear your name for good instead of dodging the thought of you being on 'roids.

[MyDogSparty]

Nice job by Barry's agent/PR firm...

From the barrybonds.com website

"When my name was first announced for the WBC, my gut reaction was that I wanted to play. After much thought and discussion with my family

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: After I looked into the kind of drug testing they were going to do.

I have decided to remove myself from the upcoming World Baseball Classic roster.

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: I don't want to play because I know I would fail the WBC drug tests

After the announcement I received a lot of criticism as well as concern from fans and my family and friends. The obvious objections were about my health and whether or not I would beready to play.

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: Most people know I take steroids but attempting to play in the WBC would remove any doubt from my foolishly faithful Giant fans.

In the end, I decided that I can't take any chances that might jeopardize my season.

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: In the end, being exposed as a steroid user would jeopardize my assult on Babe Ruth's HR total

I don't want to give the impression that the WBC is not important. I know this means a lot to showcasing our sport worldwide, and the patriotism of playing for Team USA would have been a great honor. I feel what is best for me, my family, the Giants, and our fans is that I sit the WBC out.

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: Let's be real here, if the WBC ain't going to pad my wallet then it ain't THAT important.

As it is every season, my main goal and main focus is for our team to win a championship. I need to be in the best physical shape for the 2006 season -- in what could possibly be my last season. I owe it to the Giants organization, my teammates, and most of all to the fans of San Francisco to give 100 percent this season.

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: I have yet to finish using my non-prescribed supplies of cream and clear substances that seem to be helping me recover from whatever hurts me. Soon I'll be feeling like I'm 29 years old again going on 28. <my fans are going to eat those "teammate" comments up!>

I assure you, my decision was not an easy one, but based on my circumstances, I had to put my health and my team first.

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: It cost me a lot of cash to find out exactly what the WBC was testing for and how their going to conduct the test. I'm going for the record man and this WBC stuff is just "PRACTICE"...I mean, what are we talking about here? "PRACTICE". It's "PRACTICE" man, just "PRACTICE". Any HRs I hit in the tourney don't count toward my MLB total, right? It's just "PRACTICE"...

I wish Team USA the best of luck and even though I won't be in the dugout with them, I'll be definitely be cheering them on to bring our country a WBC title.

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: Whatever. Good luck and all that stuff I'm supposed to say.

Later,

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: Chumps,

Barry Bonds

BONDS' ORIGINAL TEXT: The HR King


Relax Bonds' Fan. I'm just having some

[runningshoes]

No Bonds means WBC has no purpose at all.

.......huh?

[Bonus]

At some point, if the WBC is populated only by slap-hitting utility players, we will know to what extent that steroids have infected the game.

[DownUnderDodger]

I dont really blame some major league players from not playing in the WBC. They really are taking a big risk in getting injured. I'm surprised some teams are allowing there players to play.

And there is no chance of any player getting injured at Spring Training??

[Perseas]

No Bonds means WBC has no purpose at all.

Yeah... HUH???


Seriously now... I think Bonds does not want to deviate from his "nutritional" routine... So, no play in a tournament with real testing rules and procedures...

[west coast orange and black]

so, add one more reason why bonds is not a class act: he addressed his fans with "later".

yankees chick, at his website bonds writes directly to his fans ("hi fans"), and the writing is very informal.
this was not the first time that he used that greeting in his website letters to his fans.

and this was not the formal announcement that bonds decided to bow out from wbc play.

later. wcoab.

[west coast orange and black]

"no bonds means wbc has no purpose at all."

double and triple huh.