No More Barry

I've been a San Francisco Giants fan from before I can remember -- back in the days of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry, and Juan Marichal. It was back when a young Bobby Bonds patrolled right field and gave a fair imitation of the guy manning center next to him. I've watched through the ups and downs of the franchise -- seen them at their best and their worst.

Though the didn't win that night, I went to one of the 1989 World Series games -- the postponed game after the city was rocked by the earthquake. I watched in disbelief as they fell five outs short of winning the 2002 series in six games -- if only Robb Nen had 2 innings left in him. Ah, the San Francisco Giants and I are about the same age -- and I'm still waiting with them for that elusive championship.

So, tonight we learn that the Barry Bonds era is coming to an end. Playing their last two home series of an otherwise forgettable season, the Giants have told Barry they're moving on. If he's going to play next year it'll be somewhere else. Perhaps Steinbrenner will open his pockets for the son of Bobby.

I realize a lot of people dislike Barry, and that's their right. I'm a Giants homer and so I've stuck by him (even if that's meant closing my eyes and ears to what might be true). But now it's time to move on.

I'm looking forward to a Giants future built around Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum -- as well as Barry Zito, Brian Wilson, Noah Lowery, and the other younger players that they hopefully will now feature. The Giants have become slow and unexciting these past 3 years. So, we wait until next year.

In the mean time, my bobble headed Barry is turned around in mourning.