Chickens

[Philo-Sox-er]

I think this is a great idea. Fan or not of Bonds, I think it is cowardice not to pitch to him, ever. This is simply crazy and I am glad to see the Giants combat it in some manner:



SAN FRANCISCO -- Tired of all the walks Barry Bonds (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=3918) draws, the San Francisco Giants (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo) will begin selling orange rubber chickens named "Walk'er" on Monday.



http://adsatt.espn.go.com/ad/sponsors/blank/blank-espn.gif (http://log.go.com/log?srvc=sz&a=1&drop=0&addata=1331:53574:141468:65&guid=D7532668-BAC8-4DC9-80B0-D115580AAC11&goto=)


Why? "To officially protest the number of intentional walks at SBC Park," the Giants said.



Why chickens? The Giants didn't say, but it would seem obvious.



In 57 games entering Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=bos), Bonds had drawn a major league-leading 94 walks, 51 of them intentional.



The chickens -- described as "your average fowl" -- will sell for $10, with proceeds going to the Giants Community Fund.

[HebrewHammer]

I don't think its cowardice, I think its smart baseball. What the Giants are doing is funny and an interesting promotion, but I don't think it will really combat the IBB's.

[DSpivack]

Bonds is purely amazing. He can hit anything, anywhere. If I were a manager facing him I wouldn't pitch to him if the game was reasonably close.

[Philo-Sox-er]

I agree with both of you in principle. It is smart baseball IF the games are close. But he has been getting intentionally walked when they are ahead or behind by large margins. Notice, you don't see Randy Johnson, Clemens, et al giving him a free pass--only the mediocre pitchers. The duel between pitcher and batter is what makes baseball great!

But, yes, I'd pitch to Pierzynski everytime, rather than Bonds. And, the promotion is funny and it won't change a thing. But at least the pitchers will get razzed, as they should.

[StepsInSC]

Or they could actually go out and get someone to PROTECT him.

[StockdaleForVeep]

If i were a mgr, i would delib walk him or have him beaned every at bat, screw who he is. I was so sick when he was goin for 70 and they showed his kids and a sign "please pitch to our daddy"

Hell, i would tell my pitchers theyd be fined for throwing a strike unless i told them too. Bonds can complain all he wants

[CubKilla]

It's probably racism that alot of teams don't pitch to Bonds.

[thepaulbowski]

It's probably racism that alot of teams don't pitch to Bonds.
***** :rolling:

[Dadawg_77]

If the game is close and it means something in a pennant race, I wouldn't pitch to him. I may not intentionally walk him, but I would tell the pitcher to put four pitches in the dirt or at eye level.

[Rocky Soprano]

How long till fans start throwing the chickens at the pitchers?

[Tekijawa]

Is it just me or does Bonds get an out 64% of the time he is pitched to? Why walk a man everytime you face him when odds are he'll actually get an out? pitch to him, let him make you "look bad" 36% of the time it's not like the Guy only hits Home runs and extra base hits, and it's not like there is any one on every time he comes to bat...

[StockdaleForVeep]

Is it just me or does Bonds get an out 64% of the time he is pitched to? Why walk a man everytime you face him when odds are he'll actually get an out? pitch to him, let him make you "look bad" 36% of the time it's not like the Guy only hits Home runs and extra base hits, and it's not like there is any one on every time he comes to bat...
No pitcher has the confidence to challenge him, unless your pedro martinez that is. I was so amazed pedro challenged him with fast balls, that was an epic atbat, sadly pedro is not who he used to be