Another Class Act by Bonds................

[thesanityannex]

Bonds refuses to sign ball.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...ex.html?cnn=yes

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Carlos Oliveras has a home run ball specially marked to assure authenticity.

It just doesn't have Barry Bonds' autograph as the slugger refused to sign the ball.

The 25-year-old Air Force serviceman bought his lucky ticket because he wanted to see Bonds chase Babe Ruth on the career home run list. Oliveras had little idea he'd be the one being chased -- by fans, by media -- after snagging career home run No. 713.

When the San Francisco Giants' slugger hit a mammoth shot in the sixth inning off Philadelphia right-hander Jon Lieber to put him one behind the Babe on Sunday night, the ball bounced around Section 202 and into Oliveras' hands.

"I never thought I was going to be lucky like that," Oliveras said.

This was the first game of the three-game series Oliveras and a friend attended. He bought the ticket two days ago because he's a Bonds fans and wanted to see a slice of history. Then he was part of it.

"Everybody was looking on the floor," Oliveras said. "The ball bounced to me. I grabbed the ball and I stuck it between my legs. Everyone was still looking around."

Oliveras, a native of Puerto Rico, said no one immediately tried to snag the ball because he had it hidden. When the media and Phillies security discovered he caught the ball, other Phillies fans -- many who spent the series jeering the sullen slugger -- started yelling for him to throw the ball back.

"It made me nervous," he said.

Oliveras, an Airman 1st Class who lives on McGuire Air Force Base in Fort Dix, N.J., paid $20 for his seat in Section 202, Row 7, Seat 24.

He said he is a Bonds fan and would probably keep the ball. He hoped it would have Bonds' signature.

Bonds said no when he was asked at his news conference if he would sign the ball if a fan wanted an autograph. Moments later, when an official asked if there were any more questions, Oliveras piped up:

"Will you sign my ball?"

Bonds smirked and said nothing.

After his news conference, Bonds shook Oliveras' hand and took a picture with him.

"I'm happy because I got a picture and he shook my hand," he said.

There was one signature needed though. Oliveras had to sign a waiver for Bonds' reality show

 

[uolj]

So?

He apparently doesn't like to sign his autograph so people can make money off him. Not necessarily what I would choose, but certainly not a classless decision.

 

[PixelPusher]

I know Barry Bonds is an *** an all...but what so freakin special about #713 that you require his signature? As soon as he hits #714, it just becomes another HR ball, as opposed to a milestone HR ball.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm not sure I get it on any front. Not sure why Bonds doesn't just sign the damn ball -- hey somebody in America who actually thinks its significant! So why not?

Also not at all sure what the big issue is with him not doing so, given the posing for a photograph etc.

 

[VF21]

So?

He apparently doesn't like to sign his autograph so people can make money off him. Not necessarily what I would choose, but certainly not a classless decision.

As opposed to him making MILLIONS off the fans?

It wasn't just some rube coming up to him in a restaurant or something and interrupting his day... It was the guy who was actually thrilled to have caught #713. Signing it wouldn't have killed Bonds.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

The moral of the story: no matter how big an ******* a celebrity/professional athlete is, someone will defend and/or rationalize his actions.

As a minor tangent, I'd like to take this opportunity to express my personal contempt for ebay. It's esteem highly ****ed up when our society has arrived at a point where celebrities refuse to sign autographs because they're afraid that people will try to sell them, but it's even more ****ed up when the proliferation and infestation of ebay into the national/global consciousness has made this sort of activity probable rather than possible... I remember when I was a kid how some of us had autograph books, and I can't recall anyone ever having an experience when someone asked an athlete for an autograph, and they were just a total dick to them.

And, at the risk of getting further off-track, what's the damn deal if somebody *does* want to sell your autograph? You can't let somebody else make a little dough? Your millions aren't enough? If somebody makes $200.00 from selling a ball that you signed, is that really going to impact your life? It's not like this is a Napster situation here; they're not taking money out of his pocket... Is it even going to affect your pay at all, you greedy ****? I mean, it would be different if the athletes themselves get paid according to how many autographs they sell, but they don't. The only guys that get paid to sign balls are the ****ers that are too greedy to sign them for free...

Maybe his $22M salary isn't enough to feed his family, or something...

[/soapbox]

 

[VF21]

I like ebay...



Other than that minor proviso, I agree entirely with your commentary above.

 

[Fillmoe]

if he wasnt chasing ruth(he isnt anymore), this article would never have been written.... funny how that works... and im not even a fan of barry bonds

 

[VF21]

^^So? What's your point?

It was a milestone ball. The irony is Bonds wouldn't sign the ball but he had Oliveras sign a release so he could use film footage on HIS TV show. You don't see anything hypocritical about that?

That, I believe, is the twist that made it more newsworthy. Kind of a man bites dog situation. The fact it was Bonds should surprise absolutely no one.

 

[atxrocker]

^^So? What's your point?

It was a milestone ball. The irony is Bonds wouldn't sign the ball but he had Oliveras sign a release so he could use film footage on HIS TV show. You don't see anything hypocritical about that?

That, I believe, is the twist that made it more newsworthy. Kind of a man bites dog situation. The fact it was Bonds should surprise absolutely no one.

it certainly does not surprise me

 

[6th]

^^So? What's your point?

It was a milestone ball. The irony is Bonds wouldn't sign the ball but he had Oliveras sign a release so he could use film footage on HIS TV show. You don't see anything hypocritical about that?

That, I believe, is the twist that made it more newsworthy. Kind of a man bites dog situation. The fact it was Bonds should surprise absolutely no one.

That is the part I just don't get. What was the milestone? He came within 1 of Ruth. Was 712 a milestone, or 711?

As far as signing a release, for TV footage. The airman did not have to sign anything. Maybe getting on Bond's TV show is a big deal for him, so of course he would want to sign.

And, Bricklayer made a point too. Bonds posed for a picture with the guy. That would be worth more to me than a "milestone" ball that is no real milestone.

Fillmoe's point is that if it weren't Bonds (and his chase of the god-like Ruth), this story would never have been written. Just one more way to vilify Bonds by the media.

 

[uolj]

The moral of the story: no matter how big an ******* a celebrity/professional athlete is, someone will defend and/or rationalize his actions.

In what way is that a problem?

If you are implying that in this case, those actions are not defendable or rational, then I completely disagree with you, and there haven't been any reasons given in this thread so far to make me think otherwise.

If you are not making that implication, then why make that point here, now, in this thread? The only people to defend and/or rationalize his actions were Bricklayer (who I highly doubt you were referring to) and I, who merely stated that I disagreed with the notions that the action was classless and that it deserved mention (Bricklayer's post was in the same vein as mine). Perhaps you just misunderstood our (or my) posts, or perhaps you lumped them together with posts by others that have irrationally defended Bonds. Whatever the reasoning, it just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[VF21]

That is the part I just don't get. What was the milestone? He came within 1 of Ruth. Was 712 a milestone, or 711?

As far as signing a release, for TV footage. The airman did not have to sign anything. Maybe getting on Bond's TV show is a big deal for him, so of course he would want to sign.

And, Bricklayer made a point too. Bonds posed for a picture with the guy. That would be worth more to me than a "milestone" ball that is no real milestone.

Fillmoe's point is that if it weren't Bonds (and his chase of the god-like Ruth), this story would never have been written. Just one more way to vilify Bonds by the media.

"Hey, look guys! I have the homerun ball Bonds hit right before he hit the one that tied Ruth."

Yes, it's a milestone, even if you don't acknowledge it. As for the release, I think it was pretty duplicitious of Bonds to ask the airman to sign it so he could use footage after he'd refused to sign the ball. I would say the same regardless of who the player was...and I didn't have to throw in a pointed jab at Babe Ruth to make my point.

It's STILL not about Babe Ruth. It's about Bonds. It's about ...

Ah, hell with it. He was the final nail in the coffin as far as my ever wanting to watch baseball again. That's my problem.

Have a nice night, 6th!

 

[hoopsfan]

Just one more way to vilify Bonds by the media.

And if he had just signed the freakin' ball, there would be need for the media to vilify him about this.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

In what way is that a problem?

You know what? There's no point... If I have to explain why somebody defending and/or rationalizing the behavior of someone who's an ******* is a problem, then it's too late for our society; we've already gone straight to hell.

:: sighs ::

 

[QueensFan]

And if he had just signed the freakin' ball, there would be need for the media to vilify him about this.

So they'd find something else.

You know, I genuinely feel bad for Bonds. I don't think he's a happy dude, and I think he's getting a really bad rap. Is he partially at fault? Of course. But I think the guy takes more crap than he deserves and I think that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy that a guy who takes so much crap would be or appear to be an *******.

And regarding 713 being a milestone - whatever. It's no more milestone than 712, 711, 710, etc. Ruth isn't the homerun leader, Aaron is, and I even question whether the ball right before Aaron's number (I forget what it is) is a milestone. 713? So what. It's kind of like 699 - BFD the ball before 700.

 

[Ryle]

I'm sorry but do we really need another example of Bonds being an *******?? I think it's pretty well chronicled that he is and quite frankly nothing he does surprises me and I hope he doesn't break Ruth's mark.

 

[thesanityannex]

I'm sorry but do we really need another example of Bonds being an *******??

Of course we do.

 

[VF21]

So they'd find something else.

You know, I genuinely feel bad for Bonds. I don't think he's a happy dude, and I think he's getting a really bad rap. Is he partially at fault? Of course. But I think the guy takes more crap than he deserves and I think that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy that a guy who takes so much crap would be or appear to be an *******.

And regarding 713 being a milestone - whatever. It's no more milestone than 712, 711, 710, etc. Ruth isn't the homerun leader, Aaron is, and I even question whether the ball right before Aaron's number (I forget what it is) is a milestone. 713? So what. It's kind of like 699 - BFD the ball before 700.

Does he take more crap than he deserves? That's the whole problem. If he wouldn't have taken the crap to begin with, we wouldn't even be having this argument.

If I had a baseball that had been hit by someone on their way to topping Babe Ruth, I'd be very proud of it. I'd show it off. If you wouldn't, fine. No problem.

Once again, however, you're arguing a side point. The main point is, as hoopsfan mentioned, that none of this would have occured if the almight Bonds had simply deigned to put his signature on the ball. He didn't and I thought it was pretty shoddy.

People keep making excuses for Bonds. You do, I don't. Once again, though, this is never going to be resolved. I hope I answered your question because I really don't want to continue to waste my time arguing about someone who can't even sign a baseball for a fan - a REAL hero. A guy who is in the United States armed services and willing to give his life for his country.

 

[thesanityannex]

I can't believe the guy signed the waiver to be on Bond's show.

 

[Ryle]

You make your bed you have to lie in it. Bonds has brought this all on himself.

 

[zip95843]

Actually the guy NEVER ASKED to sign the ball. He admitted that on some of TV show. All of this is just an example of media hate - create another fiction story about Bonds and write a hate-story about him.

 

[thesanityannex]

Bonds said no when he was asked at his news conference if he would sign the ball if a fan wanted an autograph. Moments later, when an official asked if there were any more questions, Oliveras piped up:

"Will you sign my ball?"

Bonds smirked and said nothing.

So zip, are you saying this was completely fabricated?

 

[VF21]

Actually the guy NEVER ASKED to sign the ball. He admitted that on some of TV show. All of this is just an example of media hate - create another fiction story about Bonds and write a hate-story about him.

Clarifiction:

Please read this part of the story again:

Bonds said no when he was asked at his news conference if he would sign the ball if a fan wanted an autograph. Moments later, when an official asked if there were any more questions, Oliveras piped up:

"Will you sign my ball?"

Bonds smirked and said nothing.

Sounds like the press may just have it on video.

 

[QueensFan]

Does he take more crap than he deserves? That's the whole problem. If he wouldn't have taken the crap to begin with, we wouldn't even be having this argument.

If I had a baseball that had been hit by someone on their way to topping Babe Ruth, I'd be very proud of it. I'd show it off. If you wouldn't, fine. No problem.

Once again, however, you're arguing a side point. The main point is, as hoopsfan mentioned, that none of this would have occured if the almight Bonds had simply deigned to put his signature on the ball. He didn't and I thought it was pretty shoddy.

People keep making excuses for Bonds. You do, I don't. Once again, though, this is never going to be resolved. I hope I answered your question because I really don't want to continue to waste my time arguing about someone who can't even sign a baseball for a fan - a REAL hero. A guy who is in the United States armed services and willing to give his life for his country.

I guess I don't have a very romanticized perspective of pro atheletes. I think when an athlete or any celebrity signs an autograph, it's a very generous gesture, but by no means do I expect if of them. To me, the fact that he posed with the guy for a picture means more than him jotting down his name. Some celebrities are known to have an objection to the idea of the autograph - and who are we to call them classless for this part of their personality - especially if they still take the time to do something nice for you like take a photo.

And regarding the waiver for his show? The guy didn't have to sign it and I'm guessing that waiver had more to do with the folks from ESPN who are following Bonds around than Bonds himself. If they guy didn't want to be on TV, he didn't have to sign the thing, so to me that part of the story is totally irrelevant.

What can I say? I am a fan of Bonds. I have loved watching the guy play for years. I don't really care too much about his personality off the field - he has never seemed like a distraction on the field and that's all that matters to me. I think it's pretty clear that a very large number of baseball players have used some form of performance-enhancing steroid over the past decade - it isn't fair that Bonds should have to take the hit for this while everyone else flies under the radar exclusively on account of the fact that he is a superstar player - he has no more of an advantage than the dozens of other players who juice up, he just happens to have the most natural talent.

That's my perspective and I'm willing to agree to disagree with the majority of people who have lost all respect for Bonds.

 

[hoopsfan]

"That's my perspective and I'm willing to agree to disagree with the majority of people who have lost all respect for Bonds."

I didn't have any to lose...

 

[QueensFan]

"That's my perspective and I'm willing to agree to disagree with the majority of people who have lost all respect for Bonds."

I didn't have any to lose...

Well then you're pretty homerific if you couldn't respect this guy's play back in the 90s.

 

[hoopsfan]

I didn't pay attention to him back in his Pirate days..now he's a Giant...ICK!

 

[VF21]

What can I say? I am a fan of Bonds. I have loved watching the guy play for years. I don't really care too much about his personality off the field - he has never seemed like a distraction on the field and that's all that matters to me. I think it's pretty clear that a very large number of baseball players have used some form of performance-enhancing steroid over the past decade - it isn't fair that Bonds should have to take the hit for this while everyone else flies under the radar exclusively on account of the fact that he is a superstar player - he has no more of an advantage than the dozens of other players who juice up, he just happens to have the most natural talent.

That's my perspective and I'm willing to agree to disagree with the majority of people who have lost all respect for Bonds.

I respect your right to your opinion.

Just to maybe explain mine: Barry Bonds WAS a great player who took advantage of chemicals for whatever reason. The difference between him and so many others IS because he's a superstar. He had already gotten into the rarefied air; he cheated to take himself higher. That, IMHO, is just wrong. He already had a gift. Why did he have to taint that gift with steroids?

And partially because of his use of steroids, he has now tied Babe Ruth's record and will probably end up second on the all-time homer list. That's not fair. He didn't do it honestly. He would most likely have ended his career third on the all-time list without the chemicals. Now, because of them, he's going to be second. That is a slap in the face to every guy on that list who didn't take steroids.

Those are my feelings. I can understand yours, but I guess I'm just old-fashioned. I don't think he should be honored for an accomplishment that he obviously doesn't respect.

Peace.

 

[zip95843]

Clarifiction:
Please read this part of the story again:
Sounds like the press may just have it on video.

It happens that I watched that conference live and nobody asked him "would he sign", the question was "did he sign" and Bonds replied "no". And when he was leaving - there was a much noise in the room and Bonds just smiled to everybody and left.

As for this person who caught the ball, he actually went on one of the TV shows and when was asked about this said that he never asked Bonds to sign the ball and was very happy to have a photo with him.

It just very sad when people jump to the fiction story to spit the hate on Bonds...