The Giants got a nice win against the Mets last night behind a strong outing from future star Matt Cain. But early in the game, while it still a scoreless tie, Tom Glavine faced Barry Bonds with a man on first . . . and walked him on four pitches. (He tried a 2-0 breaking ball and when that missed, they intentionally walked him.) Moises Alou proceeded to hit a three-run homer deep to left-center, making it 3-0 Giants and, as it turned out, salting away the game.
Are managers high right now? It’s like Bonds has been terrifying them for so long, they can’t get their heads around the fact that walking him is a big mistake. Here's an interesting little comparison: Albert Pujols is hitting .344 with 12 of his teams 23 home runs and he’s been walked 18 times. Bonds is hitting .222 with 1 home run and he’s been walked 23 times. Madness.
I've watched Bonds hit quite a bit this year and that front leg, the one with the bad knee, just looks like jelly. He doesn't have his usual power base, so he's not getting around on fastballs and when he does, he has warning track power. I'm not saying the beast has been defanged. As soon as he proves he’ll hit any fastball in the zone over the fence again, I have no problem with walking him. But to walk him without a base open and Alou on deck in a tight game is just foolish. (Especially, by the way, when Alou is 21/67 lifetime against Glavine.)
1 comment:
I'm starting to think Bonds isn't the hitter he used to be. But his quick wit and wonderful clubhouse manner keep me coming back.
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