A Way To Get Back

I think I've discovered the only way to revive the spirit of baseball, and finally do away with the rotting corpse that is the Barry Bonds era.

Intentionally walk him- every series, every game, every at bat- even if it means walking in the other team's winning run. Send a strong message that the schedules and the contracts and the championships and the records mean nothing if they're not achieved with honor and dignity.

Take the bat from the hands of the one man who has the power to destroy the history of such a grand game. Let him complain (while saving face) and then fade away into the dim passages of history.

Pitchers will pitch to a homerun hitter on several occasions, just for the spirit of the game. They want to "go after" him, challenge his abilities. And if a home run happens, the pitcher shrugs and mentally tips his hat. This is out of respect for the batter and the game itself.

Barry has lost that respect. So roll the ball toward the plate. Throw it at the backstop. Wild pitches will work if no one's on base. Three feet behind his back. Planned pitch-out to catch the runner at first. Lose the handle on the ball and hit a guy in the dugout. Do whatever it takes- but don't let Barry swing the bat.

Rules of decency must be temporarily suspended, if the game is to survive at all.