They Just Won't Learn

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle posted a story today about how the Giants ballpark (which I still call Pac Bell) has essentially been Bonds-scrubbed:

The leftfield fence now features a long green blank between the ads for Chevron and Bud Lite. Last season, that space was devoted to Bonds - first a mural of Bonds and three other Giants' legends, and then a "Road to History" mural featuring a photo of Bonds and a highway sign with his name and team logo.

It makes sense that those temporary tributes would be removed. But for the last few years the Giants milked Bonds' home-run-record chase for all it was worth, and now not even a simple "756" sign or some other visible nod to the man and the record?

There is a small sign urging fans to "Remember '51," the year of Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard Round the World." But nothing to help them remember 756.

Bonds has been erased. Even the grass he killed in left field has grown back.

I asked team president Peter Magowan if management considered some kind of visible tribute to Bonds and his record.

"No," Magowan said, eloquently.

What a douchebag. The lack of respect for Bonds and how much money and press he brought the Giants - through whatever means - is simply, without question, disgraceful.

Only Baseball Matters actually puts it eloquently (as Magowan clearly doesn't):

How can Magowan sit there with a straight face and act like Bonds somehow fucked him and the Giants over? That is as much an affront to me as a fan as any lying about the direction the team is going. Wiping clean all traces of Bonds is a disgrace.

And, again, let’s point out that Roger Clemens is again being defended by members of Congress, while Bonds is still hunted and, of course, being colluded out of baseball. That virtually every member of the mainstream media is standing by and applauding while this is happening is another travesty. The number of sportswriters who have profited from Bonds’ efforts, who have profited at his expense is staggering. Not content to cash their new, bigger paychecks, they still spew vitriol and bile at him, even when he’s out of the spotlight.

I remember reading how Joe DiMaggio became a recluse, hiding from fans and sportswriters, until finally he spent all of his time and effort protecting his name and reputation, suing people who even thought about making money off his fame without him getting his due. Sadly, history is repeating itself. The destruction of Barry Bonds will go down as one of the biggest mistakes in baseball history. Bonds has been a tremendous player, one who dedicated himself to his craft, getting every last ounce of production out his talent; and this is like watching him be torn apart by hyenas. It makes me feel dirty.

Douchebags. I really wonder how many of the 18 games I have tickets to this season I'll actually attend. I'll put the over/under at 3.5.