Disappointed in Reaction to Bonds' Homer

You had a chance, San Diego.

You could have made a statement.

You could have booed Barry Bonds* when he hit home run number 755.  Or better yet, you could have stayed absolutely silent.  But no, when Barry* homered, you stayed classy.  You stood.  You applauded.  And I couldn't be more disappointed.

Let me start by saying I usually loathe booing.  I can't recall ever doing it at a game.  And when it's directed towards college or high school players, I believe booing is inexcusable.

But Bonds* is an exception.  

Yes, he's talented.  Arguments for him being the best ever are valid.  But this is a guy who has gone out of his way to be a jerk.  Even before Bonds* (allegedly) started taking steroids, he was nothing but a malcontent in Pittsburgh and then San Francisco.  I realize this isn't breaking news.  But it's the main reason I've disliked him for 15 years.  The legitimate steroid allegations only tip the scales more.

So when Bonds* was stuck on 754 before a road trip to Los Angeles and San Diego, I was hopeful.  Breaking the record was and is inevitable.  So if he did it in one of those two cities, perhaps he'd get the fan reaction I thought he deserved.

Now, no one has hate for Bonds* and the Giants more than Dodgers fans, and watching those games was rather fascinating.  I really think the majority of the people in attendance were sitting on edge waiting to boo him.  When the Dodgers walked him, the stadium erupted in frustration.  They were thinking what I was thinking.  Disrespecting a Bonds* record-tying home run is payback.  It's payback for a guy who, by most accounts, is obsessed with this home run mark and was (allegedly) willing to cheat the game to break it.

But three games in LA came and went.  No Bonds* homers.  I distrust him enough to think he may have tried NOT to homer there, but that's a little too conspiracy theory-ish for me.

So the scene shifts to San Diego, and hope wasn't lost.  This is the same park where a fan once threw a syringe at Bonds* when he took the field.

But Saturday night, he ties the record and the fans Petco Park treat Barry* like HE is their beloved pet.

Except for Bud Selig.

Look, I've never been a fan of the Commish either, but he won some points for me here.  The reaction to just stand and watch without applauding says so much without saying anything.  Could you imagine if the entire stadium joined together in a silence?  What would Barry* be thinking as he could the dirt under his cleats while rounding the bases?  

But that's obviously too much to ask.

Bonds* will likely break the record in this seven-game homestand, and the San Francisco fans will give a giant ovation.  The motto there seems to be, "Yeah, he's a grouch with a size 9 melon, but he's OUR grouch, dang it!"