San Francisco Giants Say Goodbye To Barry Bonds

It’s been an eventful 2007 Major League Baseball season for San Francisco Giants’ slugger Barry Bonds. On August 7, Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s record by hitting his 756th career home run at the age of 43. To date, Bonds has a career home run total of 762, dishing out 28 homers this season. Of course, there’s also the allegations that Barry Bonds used steroids to enhance his performance, and that adds to the “eventfulness” of his season.

However, despite this accomplishment, it seems that the San Francisco Giants are ready to let go of Barry Bonds, who has been with the team since he was signed as a free agent in 1992. While Barry Bonds’ achievements have been at the top of the headlines, it hasn’t helped the San Francisco Giants in the win column as they are currently in last place in the National League West division. The decision to let Barry Bonds go is not entirely because of the steroids scandal, but it’s just a move the San Francisco Giants have to make in rebuilding their team to become a competitive force in Major League Baseball.

“It’s always difficult to say goodbye. There comes a time when, I think, you have to move in a different direction… I do believe he’s the greatest player of his generation, one of the greatest players of all time. And it was a great advantage to have a player of his caliber on our team for all those years,” explained San Francisco Giants owner Peter Magowan.

The decision to let go of Barry Bonds is not a surprise to the 43-year old home run king.

“Although I am disappointed, I’ve always said baseball is a business, and I respect their decision. However, I am saddened and upset that I was not given an earlier opportunity to properly say goodbye to the fans and celebrate with the city throughout the season as I truly believe this was not a last-minute decision by the Giants, but one that was made some time ago,” Bonds said in a statement to his fans.

“I would have loved nothing more than to retire as a Giant in the place where I call home and have shared so many momentous moments with all of you,” Bonds also said in the statement.

But then, that’s the way it has to go as the San Francisco Giants look to build on a younger team, and perhaps to hire not-so-expensive young talents. Certainly, a Barry Bonds in the lineup doesn’t come cheap, and Bonds might be asking a little too much extra considering he’s the all-time career home run leader. Of course, that’s just speculation. What we do know for sure is that Barry Bonds won’t be with the San Francisco Giants next year. But that doesn’t mean he’s done with baseball. Even at age 43, Barry Bonds still wants to play baseball, continue to improve on his home run record, and hopefully get the chance at a World Series championship, or maybe just even an appearance. After all, that’s the only thing Barry Bonds needs to accomplish to cap off his illustrious career.

The only question remaining now is what team is in need of a supposedly steroid-induced 43-year old home run king with a sprained right toe? Is there a sportsbook that’s putting some betting action into that?

Anyway, maybe 8/1 odds that Barry Bonds goes back to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he started his career. The Pittsburgh Pirates are at the bottom of the National League Central Division. They could use Barry Bonds again.