Barry Bonds: The Giants' Mistake and Barry's Future Value

On Friday, Barry Bonds announced that he will no longer be playing for the San Francisco Giants next season. The news that the Giants will be letting him go came through his personal blog in the form of a personal letter to his fans. Some saw it coming, but many are thinking, "could this really happen?"

Barry Bonds has been the Icon for the San Francisco Giants. He is a top selling "commodity" that the Giant's organization feels it's time to take off of their shelf. What are they thinking? His image, jersey number 25, BONDS in black and orange, is something that the Giant's organization can not buy. Why are they taking this very valuable product off the shelf? Bond's letter to his fans did not say. He wrote on September 21st, "I was told that my play this year far exceeded any expectations the Giants had." Does the Giant's organization feel that they will have a better season next year with out Bonds?

But this I not just a mistake for the San Francisco Giant's it is also an image bruiser for the 43 year old Barry. As he himself understands, "baseball is a business," then he must understand that he is that businesses commodity. He can take his home run records with him, but can you see him suited in any other jersey? Can you see a different number under his name, written in a different color? The "commodity" of Barry Bonds is attached to the San Francisco Giants. One may remember Joe Montana leaving the same town and joining the Kansas City Chiefs. That never looked right, nor did he ever live up to his potential. The commodity looses value. For most, Barry Bonds, like Montana, will always be remembered as a San Francisco "commodity."

In his letter to his fans, Bonds writes, "I consider the City of San Francisco and you, the fans, my family," and that his Giant's career has been, "the best 15 years of his life." Yet, he wants to continue to play, even though it will be for another team, saying, "there is more baseball in me."