Images from Marlin Stadium

Friday Night August 17th 2007.....

Marlins vs Giants.  Olsen vs Zito.

Bonds vs The World.

I must tell you, last night I was embarrassed.  Embarrassed to be sitting next to a 8yr old boy, who was sitting with his father, yelling at the top of his lungs, when Bonds came up.....

"Barry, you are a cheater.  Barry, you are a fool...."  (and for added flavor, throwing in curse words.....)

I've been going to baseball games since I was 5 years old, and NEVER have I witnessed the level of hatred, negativity, and downright meaness, that I saw on display against BARRY BONDS last night.

Cursing, signs, and slogans -- all around a sports figure who happens to hold a sacred record, but has been accused of cheating to achieve it......

As a young kid, I remember attending a Mets vs Reds game (at Shea Stadium) with my grandfather.  I recall, cheering against Peter Rose.....(he played 3rd base for the REDS) -- but the level of my negativity to him, may have been a few boos, or a "Pete you stink...." -- BUT NEVER CURSING, NEVER BORDERING HOSTILE.  (I ended up being a huge Pete Rose fan, whe nhe moved to the Phillies and helped them win a World Series in 1980, and that was my 1st World Series in person at Veteran Stadium)

Hostility is the proper way to describe what awaits Bonds nightly, as he goes about his daily work.

It is embarrassing as a lifelong Baseball fan, to listen to, and somehow be a part of a mob AGAINST BARRY  -- THAT I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH....I really just want to watch a good game, and witness, a game I love.....

I'm embarrassed that somehow, I became part of the mob......just by my being there.

Full disclosure:   I cheered and gave Bonds a standing ovation.....maybe its the contrarian in me, or maybe it is me going against the grain......dont care. Here are a few images of last nights game, click on any image to enlarge....

Comments

[fred wilson]

andy

i think Barry Bonds is hated for many reasons, most of them not right and not fair. he's a black man and that's always an issue for some. he's never been one to be nice to fans and the media. so that's another. and he's been tainted with the steroids issue, but he was just playing the game as it was set up in the mid/late 90s. the owners and managers knew all about steroids. they sanctioned it with their inaction and quasi support for it. they wanted home runs and they got them.

barry will never be loved.

but hated is just not right.

and for some reason, my son Josh loves Barry. i think it has something to do with how much he wins with him in MLB on his xbox :)

Fred