So Mr. Bonds claims that he receives death threats. The only motivation for him revealing this information right now is a sympathy ploy. I have no doubt in my mind that he has been receiving death threats for more than just this season or this past season. The interesting point to observe here is the fact that these death threats are most likely connected to Bonds' creep toward Henry Aaron's 755. This connection is of note because both of these athletes are African-American, which pretty much eliminates the factor of racism. If a black athlete is breaking the record of another black athlete, racism is pretty much void, making these threats a different color of hate. This is steroid hate, attitudinal hate. This is payback for years and years of sneers and indifference toward MLB fans who put money in Bonds' pocket. While no one deserves to receive death threats, I have a very hard time feeling bad for Mr. Bonds, who had every chance in the world to embrace the fans as McGwire and Sosa did during their run to home run records.
MLB Notes
-"Manny being Manny" has struck again! His agent has come out and said Manny is "at peace" with his current team and location. Aw, thats swell Manny! You're at peace with being paid $18 million this season to play in a town that has inexplicably given you a free pass to do and say anything you want! I love Manny, but I would love him more if I could hear some quotes from his mouth rather than his agent or his spokesperson Loose-Cannon Tavarez.
-I am completely convinced at this point that Eric Gagne was a heavy steroid user. Sure, this may be old news, but looking at his stats he goes from the year 2000 where he had a 5.15 ERA and 4-6 record to 3 consecutive years with an ERA that hovered under and over 2.00. He also developed an unhittable 99 MPH fastball 3 years into his MLB career! Not to mention the fact that since the steroid rules were strengthened Gagne has made 16 appearances in the past 2 years. He may never be the same again.
-While I may rip on the Braves, I firmly believe that the Jones' will have a huge year. Andruw is in the last year of his contract and has made it clear that he will not be providing the hometown discount again to Atlanta. He will put up big numbers and take off running to the highest bidder. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Texas or Boston next year. Chipper had a decent year in 2006 even though he was on and off with injuries. A full season of health will remind everyone why he was the MVP in 1999.
-Kansas City cannot seem to win. If they don't spend money, they get beat. If they spend money, they are STILL going to get beat. Gil Meche is the worst signing of the entire offseason. At first I thought it was Ted Lilly, then Sammy Sosa, then Barry Bonds, but Meche trumped them all. Investing $55 million on a guy who has 55 career wins and 44 career losses. He has won 15 games once and has a career 4.65 ERA. Worst of all, he's a righty. One day I will buy the Royals and move them to Brooklyn, where I will end these senseless signings and build an empire.
-I have a feeling that A-Rods time in New York is coming to a close. If this past offseason is any sign of things to come, the 2007 offseason is going to have astronomical contracts. This potentially provides A-Rod with an opt out of New York. If in 2008 or 2009 any position player is making $1 million more than him, A-Rod has the option to VOID his contract. New York and A-Rod have yet to prove to be good bed partners and I think A-Rod would happily go back to Texas or anywhere that isn't Boston or New York. While I have razzed A-Rod plenty of times, I can't help but feel he has been treated unfairly by the New York media, which gave Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield what seemed to be a free pass when they came under steroid scrutiny. A-Rod has never been suspected of foul play or steroid use, yet he gets worse treatment in the tabloids than any other player. Although, I suppose the $27 million he will make this year is enough to attract the guile of any beat writer.
Thats all folks, more to come tommorow.
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