Barry Gones

Gone. All of it. Every trace. Vanished.

You'd never even know he was there for 15 seconds never mind 15 seasons. The San Francisco Giants have taken down every tribute to Barry Bonds in his chase and eventual breaking of Hank Aaron's all time home run record. Every every likeness, every plaque, every "756" sign. Gonzo.

As Bonds left SF last season as a free agent and hasn't resigned with anyone yet, the Giants front office obviously wants to distance themselves from the home run king as he's due to face perjury charges in the next few months re: his steroid testimony. They say they're going in a new direction. I say they're disgraceful.

Yes, I realize he's arrogant. Yes, I realize he's belligerent. Yes, I realize they're all jumping for joy, splashing into McCovey's Cove to be rid of him. And yes, like you and the 4 billion other people on the planet, I believe that he was juiced up all the way to Cansecotown. And also like you, I wanted to stick my head in the sand when he broke 755. But the fact of the matter is this:

He hasn't been found guilty of anything. And until he has, his record stands. Major League Baseball and the Giants made a killing off Bonds and the interest his ding cracking shenanigans attracted. They weren't complaining in 2001 when he smacked 73 jacks to beat Big Mac for the single season record.

It was only after Congress threatened the Commish, did baseball act. Because they were forced to. And for an organization to blatantly turn their back on try to erase Bonds' legacy is low, and cowardly. I'd expect this from Selig. Not from the Giants.

This is the equivalent of the Blue Jays taking down Joe Carter's name from the Level of Excellence. Or the Yanks deciding to take down Reggie Jackson's 44, if they were accused. Light years beyond shameful.

The Giants have an obligation to at least recognize Bonds' achievement regardless of if he was jacked up or not. They don't have to build a shrine to him, but at least acknowledge the fact that they too had a part to play in the steroid era.