In a surprising, 180 degree turn of character, Barry Bonds announced Monday morning his decision to take a pay cut to remain a San Francisco Giant, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The announcement comes a week after Bonds set the new single season home run record. Bonds blasted homer No. 73, Oct. 7 off knuckleballer Dennis Springer in the final regular season game, surpassing the 1998 mark of 70 set by Mark McGwire. ?The chance of hitting a home run off a guy who throws that slow is slim. I just said, ?What else can you give me, God? Enough is enough.??
Unfortunately, God didn?t give Bonds his ultimate goal. The homer didn?t matter in the playoff race. The Giants fell out of contention in the postseason hunt and will be watching the playoffs from the comfort of a La-Z-Boy.
All Bonds said was money didn?t matter, and since he cared so much about his team and not of personal accomplishment, he gladly accepted a pay cut in order for the Giants to be a contender next October.
The move is a classy one for Bonds, who made just $10.3 million this season. Earlier this week, it was rumored the 37 year-old Bonds would ask for as much as $20 million a season and a five year deal following the record-breaking year. Although Bonds proved his worth this year in setting new major league records for home runs, slugging percentage, walks, on-base percentage, home run percentage and a tie for extra base hits, he was adamant about remaining a San Francisco Giant.
The report sparks an almost absurd question?Is Bonds not the self-consumed, money grubbing bastard the press has made him out to be?
Of course he is, but it is a start in the right direction. Perhaps the new leaf Bonds turned over will show Bonds is the team player he claims to be.
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